Turtle Conservation

Around the world, six out of seven species of sea turtles are either endangered or threatened.  They are faced with many threats to their survival including consumption of their eggs, meat, and shells, entanglement in fishing gear, coastal development, and pollution in the ocean (especially plastic). There are dozens of non-profit organizations, government agencies, and universities dedicated to turtle conservation programs to protect nesting beaches, forging areas, and migration routes.

EcoTeach has been an advocate and active supporter of turtle conservation programs in Costa Rica since 1994.  Most of our student tours and volunteer expeditions include hands-on conservation work at one of our sea turtle conservation projects along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Our travelers work side by side with local biologists to monitor stretches of beach for nesting turtles and conduct in-water monitoring and tagging of turtles. In addition, the EcoTeach trip cost includes fees that go directly to our conservation partners to help support their turtle conservation work and their community.

Our groups work primarily with the critically endangered leatherback sea turtle, one of the world’s largest reptiles (averaging six feet long and up to 1,000 lbs)! Depending on the project, participants might walk the beach at night in search of nesting sea turtles and hatchlings. Volunteers also conduct population studies, tag turtles, transplant eggs to a protected area or release hatchlings into the ocean.  At some projects, groups will be able to work in the hatchery where the eggs are moved for safe keeping until they hatch.

Turtle Conservation Trips!

Whether you’re a student, teacher, family or individual, EcoTeach offers a turtle conservation trip that allows you the opportunity to help save this amazing species. View our turtle conservation trips here!

Learn how the EcoTeach Foundation supports sea turtle conservation efforts with donations of equipment and how you can help!

Learn about SEEtheWILD’s volunteer vacations for sea turtles and other wildlife.