Importance
Our program was born out of an urgent need to protect one of the last unguarded sea turtle nesting beaches on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. For decades, this area suffered from illegal deforestation, poaching, and the deeply rooted local tradition of consuming turtle eggs and meat. These practices have pushed sea turtle populations, especially the leatherback, toward extinction. In response, we began restoring the land and its wildlife over ten years ago. Since 2015, our focus has been on protecting nesting sea turtles through active monitoring and community education. We combat poaching by maintaining a constant presence on the beach through night patrols, relocating turtle nests to safe hatcheries, and raising awareness in local schools and communities. Our efforts combine environmental conservation with social impact, offering jobs and alternative livelihoods to locals while inspiring ecological values across generations.
The Program
The core mission of our program is the conservation of sea turtles, particularly the leatherback, green, and hawksbill species, through protection, research, and education. Volunteers play a critical role in this effort. Their main tasks include:
- Participating in night patrols to locate nesting turtles, collect biometric data, protect the mothers, and retrieve eggs before poachers do.
- Helping with the hatchery, where eggs are safely buried and monitored around the clock to ensure they hatch in protected conditions.
- Supporting environmental education initiatives within the local community and schools. Assisting with beach cleanups, nest relocation, and release of baby turtles into the sea.
Volunteers directly help prevent the extinction of these ancient marine animals while contributing to a broader conservation and social impact effort.
The Surrounding
Volunteers will be working in a stunning and unique natural setting: a 4,200-meter stretch of pristine Caribbean beach nestled between the Tortuguero canals and the sea. This area is part of the Laguna Urpiano Wildlife Refuge, located in Matina, Limón Province, Costa Rica. The refuge spans 40 hectares of tropical forest and coastline. It’s a remote yet peaceful location, ideal for reconnecting with nature. While the area is safe, it is a public beach, and volunteers should remain mindful, especially during patrols. There are no specific health requirements, but volunteers should be physically fit for walking at night on the beach and able to handle tropical conditions such as heat and humidity. Living arrangements are simple but comfortable and designed for a communal, immersive experience. Volunteers can expect shared housing and basic amenities, with a focus on sustainability and low environmental impact.
Volunteers will work alongside a passionate and experienced local team, including patrol leaders, guards, and conservation workers, many of whom are from the surrounding communities. These individuals are not only skilled in turtle conservation but are also central to our mission of social change and education. You’ll also be collaborating with other national and international volunteers, forming a close-knit team united by a shared goal. This creates a dynamic environment for cultural exchange and mutual learning.
We expect volunteers to
- Be genuinely committed to wildlife conservation.
- Be prepared for physically demanding work, especially night patrols on the beach.
- Respect local culture and wildlife.
- Work well in a team and adapt to communal living and a remote environment.
In return, volunteers can expect- A meaningful and hands-on conservation experience.
- Guidance and training from knowledgeable local staff.
- Opportunities to make a real impact on one of the world’s most important nesting beaches.
- A chance to immerse themselves in Costa Rica’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Special equipment needed: - Headlamp with a red light setting (to avoid disturbing turtles)
- Dark-colored clothing for night patrols
- Rain gear and insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle and personal essentials for a remote location.
Only 1 in 1,000 baby turtles released will reach reproductive age. Will you help us so that this great dinosaur does not disappear from the seas of the world? 🐢
