Project: Sea Turtle Hatchery

and Community Tourism Development

Partial report


Written for the
Humane Society International
By
The Corcovado Foundation


Date:
January 30, 2008












Fundacin Corcovado Lon Willing Ramsey Junior, www.corcovadofoundation.org
Telfono (506) 297-3013, Fax (506) 241-2906
2
Table of Contents



Introduction:.................................................................................................................................... 3
Marine Turtle Conservation Project in El Progreso Beach Background: ....................................... 4
Project objectives and description: ................................................................................................. 6
Results and Outcomes..................................................................................................................... 7
1. Marine Turtle Conservation................................................................................................ 7
2. Hospitality Course .............................................................................................................. 7
3. English Lessons .................................................................................................................. 8
Future challenges for the project................................................................................................... 10


Fundacin Corcovado Lon Willing Ramsey Junior, www.corcovadofoundation.org
Telfono (506) 297-3013, Fax (506) 241-2906
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Introduction:

The Corcovado Foundation was created by concerned neighbors of Corcovado National Park to
lead the fight to stop illegal hunting and logging. We are a hands-on, down to earth local leader
in conservation, who works closely with the National Park Service to protect the wild heritage
and the future of protected areas. We advance the cause of environmental education and
champion the rights of the local communities, while encouraging responsible tourism as a tool to
help protect this incredible gift that we have been left, the Osa Peninsula.


Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote the sustainable use of natural resources by assisting the
conservation areas, the promotion of environmental education and
responsible tourism in Costa Rica.

In the last six years the Corcovado Foundation has successfully managed more than 45 programs
and projects for the Osa. With this funding we have been able to pay for operating expenses,
such as fuel, food and equipment for the six protected areas in the Osa Peninsula: including
Corcovado, Piedras Blancas and Ballena National Park, the Golfo Dulce Forestry Reserve, Cano
Island and Golfito Wildlife Reserve.

From March 2005 to July 2007, the Corcovado Foundation was chosen by the Nature
Conservancy Project to manage 67 employees for ACOSA, including 53 new park rangers. 55%
of the total payroll of the Ministry of Environment in Osa.

On the other hand we have been also been working with Rainforest Alliance and Tourism Cares
for Tomorrow promoting sustainable tourism among hotels in the Osa Peninsula.

Last but not least, with a big effort to find funding, our organization has been using donations
from hotel guests and people that find us on the web; to implement our environmental education
program. This program includes a tree nursery, a turtle nursery and a recycling program. The
support of volunteers has been vital for this program.

This project started in 2003, when local people from the community of El Progreso, informed the
Corcovado Foundation about the poaching of marine turtle nests as a common practice in the
area. They also complained about the substantial reduction of marine turtles nesting in the area.



Fundacin Corcovado Lon Willing Ramsey Junior, www.corcovadofoundation.org
Telfono (506) 297-3013, Fax (506) 241-2906
4
Marine Turtle Conservation Project in El Progreso Beach Background:

The reduction of the sea turtle populations in regions such as the Peninsula de Osa is a reflection
of the situation that these reptiles face worldwide. Preliminary studies have shown a low number
of nesting events in El Progreso beach in Drake Bay. A great contrast to the locals assertion
that there were a greater number of turtles that came to lay their eggs on this beach in previous
years. According to some testimonies, three species Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill/Tortuga
Carey), Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback/Tortuga Baula) and Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive
Ridley/Tortuga Lora), represented the marine turtle nesting population. The Ridley is the last
species remaining and it is decreasing in numbers at an alarming rate.

Because of the above, the establishment of a program dedicated to the protection and
recuperation of the marine turtle population has become timely and essential. These marine
turtles currently utilize this and other neighboring beaches, so therefore this program would also
compliment the work of other projects developing in the Osa Peninsula (Peninsula de Osa)
(Figure 1)



Currently, regions such as Drake Bay (Bahia de Drake) in the Osa Peninsula confront remarkable
human population growth. This has brought, as a consequence, many changes including the loss
of important habitat for wild species.

Because of these changes, we now find a decrease in the sea turtle population. According with
the research done by our organization in 2003, 2004, and 2005 the amount of nests poached was
in average 85%.

Fundacin Corcovado Lon Willing Ramsey Junior, www.corcovadofoundation.org
Telfono (506) 297-3013, Fax (506) 241-2906
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This decrease seems to be the result of the turtle eggs poaching, destruction of nesting habitats
by domestic animals, fishing with trammel nets and by shrimp boat, who drag their nets over
any living beings they can gins. For these reasons, our organization considered that it was
necessary to protect the beaches, where sea turtle nesting is reported.

In 2006 the Corcovado Foundation raised funding to start a marine turtle conservation project in
El Progreso Beach. With the support of volunteers, a local hotel owner -who hosts the project-
and some small donations from friends, donors and NGOs this project survived two seasons
(The marine turtle season goes from June to December 2006 and 2007).

The contributions of volunteers have
been a great resource for the
improvement of the protection of the
marine turtles in Drake Bay. They
perform tasks ranging from the
weeding of the land where the
greenhouse is located up to the
transferring of nests from the beach.

One of the most serious problems that
this project faces has been the local
extraction of turtle eggs for domestic
consumption or sold to bars as
appetizers.

Local communities consider a god-
given-right to utilize the turtle eggs,
as any other local natural resource. The Corcovado Foundation has had several meetings with
the community in order to alleviating these problems. Studying the main concerns of the people,
it is clear that many of them consider the turtle eggs as an additional income that they expect
every year.

We have maintained an environmental education program for the communities of influence and
we have had two Turtle Festivals, to celebrate the program and the importance of its
conservation.

The Turtle Festivals (Festival de la Tortuga) held on November 2006 and 2007, were a big
success because of the attendance of around 200 people all of whom enjoyed games, recreational
activities, puppets plays, and baby turtle liberation.

As a more creative way to promote the conservation of the marine turtles in the area, the
Corcovado Foundation started a program to promote the tourism development in the community

Fundacin Corcovado Lon Willing Ramsey Junior, www.corcovadofoundation.org
Telfono (506) 297-3013, Fax (506) 241-2906
6
of influence of the project, in order to create awareness of the importance of the marine turtles
and the rest of their natural heritage as a tourist attraction.

By providing some members of the local community with training in tourism and therefore an
opportunity to benefit from the tourism industry, it is hoped that the local communities of El
Progreso, Los Angeles and Agujitas will take a more proactive approach to conserving the local
natural resources, specifically endangered species such as the sea turtles.

Project objectives and description:

The project named as Sea Turtle Hatchery and Community Tourism Development aims to
generate awareness in the local communities about the importance of turtle conservation for
future generations, and for the interests of the local incipient tourism industry.

1. Promote the appropriation of the natural heritage concept among the local communities of El
Progreso and Agujitas
2. Reduce the poaching of turtle eggs and other natural resources, in the communities of El
Progreso and Agujitas.
3. Provide young people in the local communities of El Progreso and Agujitas the tools
needed to get involved in the tourism supply of the area and benefit in a sustainable way of
the natural resources of its community, such as the marine turtles and other local wild life.

Funding provided by the Humane Society worked as a matching fund for the Marine Turtle
Conservation Project to finance tourism training for the local communities of El Progreso, Los
Angeles and Agujitas.

The volunteers will also receive two weekly English lessons, for a full year, which will enable
them to better serve English speaking tourists.

Finally, a portion of the grant will go towards maintenance and operative costs for the turtle
hatchery program and the purchase of equipment required. This includes two-way portable
radios, which can be used both to communicate during beach monitoring, and to facilitate
arrangements of logistics for possible tourists visiting the area.

Fundacin Corcovado Lon Willing Ramsey Junior, www.corcovadofoundation.org
Telfono (506) 297-3013, Fax (506) 241-2906
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The amount of
turtles that
reached the sea
2006 was 4,533
turtles, where in
2007 the estimated
amount of little
turtles was 7,783
turtles.
23 people
completed the
course and
received a
certificate of
participation.
Results and Outcomes
1. Marine Turtle Conservation

Regarding the marine turtle conservation efforts the results are very tangible. The constant
patrolling of volunteers on the beach and the environmental education campaign has started to
bring results to the protection of the marine turtles in El Progreso Beach in Drake Bay.

Where in 2005, 85% of the turtle nests were poached during the season; in 2006 there was a
significant reduction of the amount of turtle nests lost to poachers: only 20%. Impressively in
2007, the amount of turtle nests stolen were reduced to only 7,1%.

The amount of turtles that reached the sea 2006 was 4,533 turtles,
where in 2007 the estimated amount of little turtles was 7,783 turtles.

One of the most important factors of this reduction was the increased
presence of volunteers on the beach. Instead of one patrol a night, two
patrols were completed per night. The amount of volunteers was also
higher than the previous year; every patrol had three or four people per
patrol. This increased presence, both in quantity and quality,
discouraged poachers to come to the beach during the nesting season.
(Find full technical report in Annex #1)
2. Hospitality Course

The hospitality course was provided by the
Merkaplan S.A. This company has extensive
experience in providing training to tourism companies
in sustainability of the tourism operation and
development of hospitality cultures.

The hospitality course consisted of three different
activities: two introductive half days meetings in
which the candidates were met. In these two
meetings, the facilitators researched the expectations
of the participants, their potential and their
involvement with the community and the turtle project.

24 people assisted later to the workshops that were held on January 19
th

and January 20
th
.

The first workshop was about aggressive hospitality and guest handling.
The second part of the workshop or second day was a practice of the first

Fundacin Corcovado Lon Willing Ramsey Junior, www.corcovadofoundation.org
Telfono (506) 297-3013, Fax (506) 241-2906
8
day and an analysis of the tourism product and the importance of the natural attraction for Costa
Rica and particularly for the Osa. (Find text booklet in annex #2)

23 people completed the course and received a certificate of participation. (Annex 3 Certificate
of participation) (Annex 4 list of participants).

3. English Lessons

The Nature Kids Foundation is a non profit organization dedicated to working with low-income
families to develop the tools they need for self-reliant futures. Through English language and
environmental education programs, NatureKids collaborates with families to bring viable and
affordable education to communities throughout Costa Rica.

They currently operate two English language schools in Costa Rica-one in Salitral, Santa Ana
just outside of San Jose , and one in Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula

The NatureKids Foundation and the Corcovado Foundation are joining forces to provide of
English lessons to the community in El Progreso. NatureKids will supply an experienced
English teacher, materials, and school books. By removing the language barrier and providing
training in tourism, locals will have access to the tourist market and will have incentive to protect
their natural resources. .

The program will run for one year, January 7
th
2008 January 7
th
2009. Classes will be held
Monday and Thursday 2:30 4:30 p.m.

This will be an introductory to basic oral language
class with emphasis on Drake Bay tourism
vocabulary. NatureKids is a communication based
language program. Students will be working from
text books and with written material however the
emphasis will be based upon oral communication.
Students will be working in two books, Intune and
Side by Side all books and workbooks will be
provided by NatureKids. Levels of education will
be assessed monthly to record the level of
participation, communication, pronunciation, and
knowledge of workbook material. All records will be available to The Corcovado Foundation.
There are 16 students enrolled to take the course and attendance will be recorded each class to
document participation throughout the year.

Fundacin Corcovado Lon Willing Ramsey Junior, www.corcovadofoundation.org
Telfono (506) 297-3013, Fax (506) 241-2906
9


The Corcovado Foundation will used $1200 donated by the Humane Society to pay for the salary
of the English Teacher. By January 2008, $400 initial payment has been made, according to the
letter of understanding signed between the Nature Kids Foundation and the Corcovado
Foundation (Annex 5). $350 US ($200 for transportation and $150 for transportation) are also in
the budget to pay for unforeseen additional expenses, such as special transportation needs due to
bad weather (i.e. boat transfers to El Progreso).



Fundacin Corcovado Lon Willing Ramsey Junior, www.corcovadofoundation.org
Telfono (506) 297-3013, Fax (506) 241-2906
10

Future challenges for the project

The Sea Turtle Hatchery and Community Tourism Development project is facing a new year and
some of its components are in need of support to maintain its operation.

Turtle conservation efforts

The turtle conservation efforts, which include night patrols and the building of a turtle nursery,
imply a big amount of expenses: from food supplies to batteries for the flash lights. The turtle
nursery operates from the beginning of July to the end of December and it host around 10 to 15
volunteers that dedicate their nights to patrol the beach, patrol the turtle nursery and visit the
nearby schools with the environmental education program and organize the Turtle Festival. The
season cost of maintaining these people is between $5,000 and $6,000 USD for the whole
season.

Other expenses of this project are the salaries of the coordinators and the technical supervisors of
the project which add up to around $5,000 USD per season.

In 2007, the turtle conservation project per se, had a total cost of a little bit less than $14,000
USD from July to December.

Community Tourism Development

In 2008 the community tourism development project, started with 4 trainings related with
hospitality and guest relations. The training also included clue information about the opportunity
that tourism provides for the area, and the importance of nature as a tourism attraction.

The project will continue this year, 2008, with English lessons that will extend from January
2008 to January 2009.

In order to maintain this project and extend the knowledge of the local community in the tourism
sector and to help them participate as suppliers, some additional courses should be scheduled.
Courses such as food handling, marketing and basic business administration theory will come
handy to these people that are now exploring their options in this market. The costs of these
courses in the area could range around $1000 and $1500 USD per course depending on the dept
of each of these courses.

A second year of English lessons could also be of use for the people that engaged in this first
stage of the project. In total to maintain and see results of the project a total amount of $6000
USD need to be raised.