The Sea Turtle Conservancy is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. No other organization has been studying and protecting sea turtles longer – or achieved more success in recovering sea turtle populations. Earlier this year the Smithsonian Natural History Museum recognized STC's long-term green turtle recovery program at Tortuguero, Costa Rica, as being one of the world's greatest marine conservation success stories. STC Executive Director David Godfrey was invited to the Smithsonian to present the story of how STC has worked with the Tortuguero community since 1959 to protect green turtles. That effort has produced a 500% increase in the nesting population—making the Tortuguero green turtle colony by far the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

STC's presentation at the Smithsonian ceremony was recorded and is shown below in its entirety.