Helping the Olive Ridley Turtles, Costa Rica

Summary

Conserving this 19 hectares (47 acres) of Pacific, littoral forest will indirectly aid the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle population at Playa Ostional, Costa Rica. Countless species will benefit directly.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Wendy Cruz inherited the Lora Hills property at Ostional, the Olive Ridley Turtle Refuge in Costa Rica. Her parents were lost in a fatal accident. Wendy's mother vowed to always protect this19 hectare piece of forest on the property. This forest is endangered because of financial need and the threat of development. All native forests on the ocean front are biological corridors, benefiting the terrestrial and marine flora and fauna. 1½ million female turtles use this refuge each year

How will this project solve this problem?

Paying Wendy for the ecological services her forest provides allows her to get out from under a financial burden that could result in the sale of the property and it’s ultimate demise. Development is the biggest threat to Costa Rica’s native forests

Potential Long Term Impact

Preserving this littoral forest ensures habitat for the resident wildlife & subsequently marine life as well. 388 families depend on the Olive Turtle’s safety. Some will be provided with jobs as nature guides within the forest we are preserving

Project Message

I can’t eat a turtle egg, but others do. It happens. By giving new jobs to the local people as trail & bird guides, planting trees, etc., there will be less interest in consuming the turtle’s eggs.
- Wendy Cruz, Owner of the Lora Hills forest

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Excel file (projdoc.xls).

Resources