Save the Turtles, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization devoted to protecting endangered sea turtles by supporting community-based projects. We financially assist sea turtle conservation programs which employ sustainable and environmentally responsible practices that enhance the lives of people who share the habitat. Because we believe sea turtle education is a key element in species survival, we provide online educational resources, including a special section for teachers and kids.

©Robert Van Damm

Sea Turtle Conservation

Since 2001, our focus of sea turtle conservation has been the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. This richly bio-diverse area is a vital nesting habitat for the Green and the Hawksbill and the fourth most critical nesting habitat in the world for the greatly endangered Leatherback. The leatherback is so close to extinction that the emptying of just one nest of eggs has a huge impact on species survival.

Recently, we expanded our mission to save sea turtles in other habitat areas, including the United States. In 2010, we assisted organizations which were rescuing sea turtles after the Deepwater Horizon/BP Oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

In 2011, we plan to provide funding to new community-based projects which need assistance protecting sea turtles, their eggs and hatchlings.

Learn about applying for financial assistance for your turtle project: funding/grants.

How We Support Conservation Projects

• We provide financial assistance to established projects that engage with the community in the direct protection of sea turtles on nesting beaches.
• We fund new projects that are well conceived and have community support.
• When possible, we provide emergency financial assistance to protect sea turtle populations in immediate crisis.

Our Commitment to Sea Turtle Education

One of our goals is to utilize our highly ranking website to help raise awareness of the threats to sea turtle survival and their importance of sea turtles to our marine eco-systems. Towards this end, we have created an online learning-hub, Ride the Turtle Rainbow:

• Extensive Educational Resources for Teachers and Students.
• Games for kids that are fun, challenging and educational. See our educational interactive learning games.

We also provide detailed information (with photos) of the seven species of sea turtles, including the reproduction, migration habits, foraging requirements, and their value to our ecosystems. Visit our sea turtle pages to learn more.

Save the Turtles History: Grass Roots Beginning

Save the Turtles, Inc. originated as Save the Turtles of Parismina in 2001 when we began providing support to the community of Barra de Parismina, Costa Rica. For five years, we worked diligently with the local turtle association, Asociacion Salvemos Las Tortugas de Parismina (ASTOP) and the community assisting them in developing a successful conservation project that has saved hundreds of thousands of nesting turtles, eggs and hatchlings. This program brought economic advantages to locals who found new opportunities for employment as turtle guides, craft/jewelry artists and home-stay hosts. ASTOP has its own website www.parisminaturtles.org that describes its project (this link and all others on our site are only for informational purposes – we do not monitor their information or programs).

In 2007, we changed our name to Save the Turtles, Inc. to reflect our expanded mission.

Save the Turtles, Inc. is an organization exempt from U.S. federal income taxes under section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and contributions are accordingly tax deductible.

How You Can Help Save Sea Turtles

Please Visit our Donation Page: donations help us save turtles (options are available for a free gift with a donation).

Become a Green Alliance Partner: a win-win opportunity; it is great for your business and sea turtles (see our right hand column on this page).

Shop and Save Turtles: buy unique sea turtle t-shirts and gifts online at Cafepress.
Artists and Designers: we invite you to create a design for one of our products.

• Learn about sea turtles, their importance to the eco-system and threats to their survival.
• Respect the turtles’ habitat. When visiting nesting beaches, leave no trash and pick up any trash around. Do not use flashlights on the beach at night (turtles become disoriented).
• Avoid eating certain types of fish, shrimp and other seafood caught by longlines, trawls and gillnets. Sea turtles, dolphins and other marine life die and are discarded as “bycatch” through these fishing practices.

Sea Turtles Are Global
Thank You for Caring

Courtesy of the NOAA Central Library Photo Collection