El Salvador's sea turtle saviors

A meeting of the El Salvador's sea turtle conservation network (Red de Tortugueros Salvadorenos) was held in San Salvador today.  The philosophy behind the network echoes the work of Grupo Tortuguero, a ten year old grassroots turtle group in Mexico.  Members in attendance included community representatives from many of the country's important nesting beaches, government and NGO representatives, private sector/hotel representatives, scientists and a dozen police who shared their names and telephone numbers in a show of support for the recharged sea turtle protection efforts.

Read more HERE and HERE

National Geographic Leatherback article

A National Geographic article about sea turtles is always a cause for celebration. For those who haven't read it yet, go pick up a copy. Photographer Brian Skerry captures leatherbacks in a way that no other photographer has and writer Tim Appenzeller sheds light on the more mysterious aspects of these stunning turtles. The article details the route of the Atlantic/Caribbean population and how its numbers are increasing while the Pacific population collapses.  The National Geographic website has short videos of Brian talking about the difficulties of photographing leatherbacks in the water and on the beach, as well as photos not in the article.

Some of the best shots are from Matura Beach and Grande Riviere in Trinidad, two spots features in SEE Turtles trips!

Here is a photo of an olive ridley turtle from another well-known National Geographic photographer, Steve Winter.  

Get Outside Yourself: New SEE Turtles Volunteer Match Program Connects Travelers with Sea Turtle Conservation

For your next volunteer vacation, how about a close-up and personal encounter with one of the world's most mystical and prehistoric creatures? That is what engagement with sea turtles is all about. There are many projects around the world that work in sea turtle conservation. In order to find the best one for you, check out the new volunteer placement service that SEE Turtles is offering at www.seeturtles.org. The free service matches interested travelers with sea turtle projects in Mexico, Costa Rica, Tobago, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

Read more HERE