The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch has been working for over three decades to protect the island's sea turtle population, and this year, the volunteer organization says their hard work is paying off.

Every day during nesting season, members of the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch walk the seven-mile island looking for and counting turtle nests.

“We're just really taking good care of them," volunteer Susan Anderson said.

The organization also puts up barriers and signs to help protect and grow the area's turtle population.

All that work is paying off, as this month the group has already found 60 nests, which is more than any May on record.

“We have about 30 nests over last year at this time,” educator Glenn Wiseman said.

Wiseman said one of the reasons for the increase in turtle nests is that people are more educated about protecting the nests.

“We have very little interference in our nests and very little vandalism," he said. "And we have people calling us constantly saying, 'There is a nest here,' because they are really well educated now, so they know what to look for on the beach."

Emelie Roberts visits Anna Maria Island every year. She says she has noticed a big difference from beachgoers.

"I don’t see people leaving their beach-camp out on the beach over night during turtle season," she said.

Buddy Odom spent his Memorial Day picking up trash on the island in preparation for when the turtles hatch. Odom says these items can really hurt the little turtles.

"The turtles can get them wrapped around their legs," he said.

That's a sight he says he doesn't want to see.

“I just think its wonderful that the turtles are here," Odom said.

That’s exactly what the AMI Turtle Watch wants to hear says Wiseman.

“When people do the right thing, it makes our job a lot easier," he said.

Wiseman says the turtles should hatch about 60 days after the eggs are laid.

Another reason the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch believes there are more sea turtles this year is because we have had a warmer May. Wiseman says turtles usually come out to nest when the water gets to around 80 degrees.