Save The Turtles Inc

For several years the Asociación Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina (ASTOP) in Costa Rica has received donations from Save the Turtles, Inc. They have covered the costs of materials to build hatcheries to safeguard the turtle nests. Also they have donated to pay our local research assistants, many of whom are former poachers but now are dedicated to turtle protection. So many times they have gotten us out of difficult economic situations, since ours is a public beach and we do not receive any funding from the government of Costa Rica. We truly appreciate all of their help.

I am an advisor to the board, and well as a liason to one of the communities in Costa Rica that Save the Turtles supports. I lived in the tiny village of Parismina for many years, and can attest to the influence and positive difference their economic and moral support has made in the lives of the villagers, as well as in the protection of the Leatherback, Green, and Hawksbill turtles and the preservation of their nesting beach along several kilometers of the Caribbean coast. Local guides are able to earn a living during nesting season by preventing the poaching of turtles and eggs while escorting and educating volunteers from all over the world who come to help through the local turtle organization, which is funded in part by Save the Turtles, Inc. Many of the local families earn income by hosting the volunteers, and a lot of international friendships are formed as cultures are shared. The children of the village are growing up with a respect for the turtles, many helping with the project and training to be future guides. Donations that come through Save the Turtles go directly to pay guides to patrol the beach, equipment needed to sustain the project, and micro-loans to households who may need to upgrade their dwellings to accommodate volunteers. This nonprofit specializes in helping several local, grassroots projects without diverting funds to a bureaucratic organization. If you want your donations to have a direct impact on sea turtle preservation and the communities that live along their nesting beaches, Save the Turtles Inc. is the one to choose.