Date: July 17, 2007
Contact: Rocio Johnson
Phone: (325) 373-6441

GAINESVILLE, FL— Turtle nesting season is in full swing in Florida, but turtle walks aren’t the only things Floridians can do to help this endangered species survive.

Beginning in March and ending in October, people can participate in turtle travel: expeditions to Costa Rica’s coast to help Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s researchers in their conservation efforts.

Research participants can take part in a one to three week program designed to assist scientists in search of nesting sea turtles. During the day, participants can tour the waterways of Tortuguero National Park or take a hike up Cerro de Tortuguero to enjoy panoramic views of the jungle and ocean. Participating in this program offers people an alternative vacation option that will give them feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment.

“Tortuguero is not exactly your image of a tropical paradise of white sands and calm seas,” said Leonor Sardinha, a repeat program participant. “But beautiful for me precisely because of that, a harsh place waiting to reveal itself to someone who is not in the mood for clichés.”

Tortuguero and the participant program serves as a gateway to a deeper understanding and appreciation for the survival of endangered sea turtles. CCC has been studying and protecting the turtles of Tortuguero for 50 years, making it the longest such program in the world. These efforts have helped increase turtle nesting at Tortuguero by over 400% since the 1970s. Participants get to work hands on as members of this successful conservation team.

To learn more about the research participant program or to get involved, please visit www.conserveturtles.org for travel dates, program costs and a detailed description of the programs activities.

The Sea Turtle Conservancy, formerly known as the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization based in Florida with offices and projects in several other locations. The Sea Turtle Conservancy is the oldest and most accomplished sea turtle organization in the world. Since its founding in 1959, the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s work has greatly improved the survival outlook for several species of sea turtles. The Sea Turtle Conservancy has as its mission the protection of sea turtles and the habitats upon which they depend. To achieve its mission, the Sea Turtle Conservancy uses research, habitat protection, public education, community outreach, networking and advocacy as its basic tools. These tools are applied in both international and domestic programs focusing on geographic areas that are globally important to sea turtle survival.