Fripp Island was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1974 by the state legislature and was identified as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society in 2010.

 In 2013 Fripp was awarded the National Wildlife Federation’s designation as a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat.

 Fripp has a host of conservation programs to protect wildlife as well as a robust agenda of educational programs for both residents and visitors.

 The  Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol (FILP) involves an number of both volunteers and visitor observers.

Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol (FILP) operates as a special program of  the
Fripp Island Audubon Club, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization. Contributions are tax deductible as allowable by law.

 

Operating under a permit from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) our 20+ volunteers patrol the beach each morning looking for signs of sea turtle activity. All of our patrol members have been trained for this task and have been issued letters of authorization allowing them to address the various situations revolving around sea turtle nests, eggs and hatchlings.

 At the direction of the SCDNR, all of the nests deposited on Fripp on "high sand" and above the "king (spring) high tide line" will be left in place where they were laid (in situ). All other nests will be relocated to higher ground further back from the ocean front.

It is our mission to help perpetuate this threatened species and at the same time enlighten those around us to the fragility of life on our planet.

A. Natoli  (rev:10/08/22)