Wildlife Conservation Costa Rica Project #7861

Sea Turtle Conservation & Environmental Education

by Corcovado Foundation

Sea Turtle Conservation & Environmental Education

Project Report | Dec 12, 2023
Contributing to protect sea turtle populations

By Alejandra Monge | Executive Director

baby hatchlings

The Corcovado Foundation has been operating the Sea Turtle Project at the Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge, contributing to conserving sea turtle populations.

The Sea Turtle Project at the Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge is a vital conservation initiative to protect and preserve sea turtle populations. The project conducted extensive monitoring activities, including nocturnal and diurnal surveys, from June 1 until the end of 2023. To date, 1,544 turtle tracks have been recorded, and 287 turtle nests have been successfully relocated to ensure the safety of the eggs. Notably, 12651 turtle hatchlings successfully made their way to the sea, reflecting the project's significant impact on sea turtle conservation.

In addition to the core monitoring activities, the project engaged in various other conservation efforts, such as monitoring of rocky and sandy areas, recreational excursions, and beach censuses. These activities contribute to the comprehensive conservation approach adopted by the project, encompassing not only direct turtle monitoring and protection but also the broader ecological health of the refuge.

The foundation's sea turtle conservation and volunteering program has been ongoing for 18 years, involving volunteers from around the world to protect endangered sea turtles in Costa Rica. Volunteers engage in various activities, including morning censuses, nest exhumations, beach cleaning, and nursery construction, all of which directly support the conservation efforts at the refuge. The foundation's emphasis on community involvement and environmental education aligns with the comprehensive conservation approach adopted by the Sea Turtle Project, reflecting a collaborative effort to protect the ecological health of the refuge and ensure the safety and preservation of sea turtle habitats.

The Corcovado Foundation's long-standing commitment to environmental education and sustainable development in the Osa Peninsula, as well as its close collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, has a significant role in promoting the protection of natural heritage and the future of protected areas. The foundation's work not only directly supports conservation initiatives but also fosters sustainable tourism and regenerative agriculture to protect the Osa Peninsula's incredible natural treasure, further enhancing the impact of the Sea Turtle Project and similar conservation efforts.

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Aug 21, 2023
Corcovado National Park, a true treasure

By Alejandra Monge | Executive Director

Corcovado Full of Wonders

As you know, Corcovado National Park is a protected area in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, home to rich and diverse wildlife. It is one of the planet's most unique and biodiverse places, containing over five percent of the world's animal population.

I suspect that if you have been supporting this project on GlobalGiving, it's because you were there to see how gorgeous this protected area is. We must defend it because it is a natural treasure providing many ecosystem services and cultural values for Costa Rica and the world.

The Corcovado Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with people to protect our natural resources. The foundation started managing to fund for the Ministry of Environment. The lack of resources to hire park rangers and to pay for basic needs like fuel and equipment has always haunted this government agency. With our support, the environment ministry has more park Rangers and has built Ranger stations for 20 years. The Corcovado Foundation was born to protect and preserve the biodiversity of Costa Rica, especially in the Osa Peninsula. It promotes environmental education, regenerative agriculture, ecosystem restoration, sustainable and community-based tourism, and strengthening protected areas. The foundation also offers various programs and volunteering opportunities for people who want to get involved in conservation.

Our work with Corcovado National Park dates from our organization's origins. As a team of local people who have grown older around this world's treasure, our love and commitment to it has grown exponentially. The needs of the park are constantly growing, and more and more people want to come and see this beautiful place where tapirs and felines roam all over the place. But to maintain this place as pristine as possible, managing tourism must be on point. We need to provide better infrastructure for visitors to enjoy while they don't affect these fragile ecosystems.

Donations to this fund will improve the infrastructure to protect our ecosystems while guaranteeing recreation and learning opportunities for visitors.

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Jul 2, 2023
New sea turtle season has started now!!

By Alejandra Monge | Executive Director

Volunteers working on the new nursery

Sea turtles are facing more threats to nests than before. Rising sea levels are leaving sea turtles with less and less space to lay their eggs. Tides erode nests, and predators dig out the remaining eggs or hatchlings. Nests that are relocated to the nursery double the chances of survival by removing all these threats.

Since May 2023, the foundation started recruiting local volunteers from nearby villages and other places in Costa Rica. These volunteers are staying at the refuge, and the foundation is paying for their food, equipment, and lodging costs, with the donations collected in the last year and during 2023.

Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala Wildlife Reserve stretches 13 km southeast along the Pacific from Hermosa's village to Esterillos Oeste's village. It encompasses wetlands, a small lagoon, a mangrove estuary, a rock reef, a tropical rain forest, and spectacular beaches with some of the best surf breaks in the world, especially in Playa Hermosa.

Mid-June was our official start day, and we received six volunteers. We had a certain point with nine volunteers and a cook in charge of fixing meals for the participants.

The volunteers have been working tirelessly to build the new nursery to put away the nests. The new nursery will start by hosting 200 nests. Volunteers have been moving sand with wheelbarrows from the beach to the nursery area, located on the side of the ranger station. This area is optimal because it is dryer and closer to the ranger station, allowing better protection of the nests.

This project is vital to protecting the sea turtle population that nests yearly in Punta Mala and Playa Hermosa. These two beaches show an extraordinary amount of sea turtle activity.

We are expecting about ten volunteers for a total of 150 nights of support to patrol the project. These international volunteers are also providing critical financial support to the project.

We are very grateful to our GlobalGiving supporters who made this project possible. GlobalGiving donations are 60% of the project funding. I deeply appreciate your support.

Volunteers working on the new nursery2

the new nursery, we are getting there

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