A Worldwide Travel Guide to Sea Turtles

Resources and Organizations

S EA TURTLES perhaps have inspired more organizations and projects than any other wild animal. Th s section lists many but certainly not all organizations that provide information about sea turtles or work toward their protection and conservation, whether in the wild, in classrooms, or in the halls of government buildings. Thelisting is simply alphabetical, with a brief description of the organization and a web address , if available, or other contact information. ARCAS. Asociación de Rescate y Conservación de Vida Silvestre, a Guatemalan nonprofit wildlife conservation, rescue, and advocacy organization that runs a rescue and rehabilitation center; conducts public and environmental education; and carries out sea turtle, mangrove, and community development projects on the country’s Pacific oast: arcasguatemala.com. ARCHELON. The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, a nonprofit NGO that protects sea turtles and habitat in Greece: archelon.gr./ eng/volunt.php?row=row2. ASTOP. Save the Turtles of Parismina is a community-based project protecting turtles and nesting beaches in the Costa Rican community of Parismina: parisminaturtles.org. Baja California Association for the Protection of the Environment and the MarineTurtle.KnownasASUPMATOMAinSpanish,thisorganization coordinates sea turtle conservation and education efforts in the Los Cabos area: asupmatoma.org (in Spanish). BLUEMIND. An organization that links neuroscience with nature in the new fi ld of neuroconservation. Thebenefi s extend to public health, business, coastal planning, travel, real estate, and rebuilding an emotional connection with water. It provides deeper insights into the science of “our brains on water” and expands the ecosystem services Resources and Organizations 209 210 Resources and Organizations concept to include the vast array of cognitive value offered by healthy waterways. Thegroup holds an annual summit bringing together top neuroscientists, oceanographers, explorers, educators, and artists: bluemind.me. California Academy of Sciences. A scientific institution “committed to leading-edge research, educational outreach, and finding new and innovative ways to engage and inspire the public.” Founded in 1853 to conduct natural science research, the academy currently has a research group of about 100 people, including curator scientists, collections managers, postdoctoral researchers, students, and a network of accomplished research associates working around the world: calacademy.org. Cotorco. The Committee for the Conversation of the Sea Turtles of Corcovado is a community organization that operates a sea turtle conservation program and hatchery on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula: cotorco.org/english. Dakshin Foundation. A nonprofit NGO registered as a charitable trust in India to advocate conservation and natural resource management and support “sustainable livelihoods, social development, and environmental justice.” Promotes ecologically and socially appropriate approaches to conservation and management in India’s coastal, marine, and mountain ecosystems: dakshin.org. The Dominica SeaTurtle Conservation Organization. Promotes connections between science, policy, and public participation in sea turtle research, conservation, and education in the Commonwealth of Dominica, with a focus on community involvement. Works with a variety of organizations , agencies, and businesses, including WIDECAST: 767-275-0724, 767-448-4091, domsetco@gmail.com. Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative. Known by its Spanish acronym, ICAPO, the group collaborates with local communities, scientists, and policy makers in the region to protect hawksbills along the Pacific coast of the Americas, a population some researchers believe is the most endangered in the world: hawksbill.org. Global Sea Turtle Network. An international network founded to support research and conservation efforts in the sea turtle community, primarily through a website that includes a definitive l st of resources on the web, a sea turtle news archive, and an online home and logistic 211 Resources and Organizations support for other sea turtle organizations. It also provides online access to the Marine Turtle Newsletter/Noticiero de Tortugas Marinas, supports registration and administration of the Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, and provides information and support for conservation efforts related to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles and X’cacel, Mexico: seaturtle.org. Grupo Tortuguero. A grassroots network in Baja California, Mexico, that conducts sea turtle monitoring and nesting beach conservation, stranding assessment, fishing bycatch reduction, and research: facebook.com/grupo.tortuguero (in Spanish). International Dark Sky Association. Th s education organization, based in Arizona, seeks to preserve our natural night sky, recognizing that light pollution threatens astronomy facilities, ecologically sensitive habitats, energy use, and wildlife. It provides expert advice and technology for wildlife-friendly lighting, including ways to protect nesting and hatchling sea turtles: darksky.org. International Union for Conservation of Nature...