RIESTER

The RIESTER Conservation Foundation, an independent non-profit, funds projects in California, Arizona, Costa Rica and Guatemala. The projects are tied to our mission of helping to preserve habitat and protect native species.  One of our programs is on Corozilito Beach, Costa Rica where we are partnered with the Costa Rican conservation organization PRETOMA in a project to protect sea turtles that nest on the beach.

Corozilito Beach is within walking distance of the RIESTER Foundation Reserve. The beach is in an undeveloped and isolated part of northwestern Costa Rica.   Through the Foundation’s efforts, it was discovered that Corozilito Beach is one of the most significant sea turtle beaches in Central America.  Thousands of turtles lay their eggs on the beach – mostly Olive Ridley turtles but others too, including the huge and endangered Leatherback.

Last November I was fortunate to see some conservation work first hand when fellow RIESTER Foundation board member Mike Hopkins and I visited the beach with the director of PRETOMA’s sea turtle program late one evening. November is a beautiful month in Costa Rica.  The monsoon rains are subsiding and the rainforest at the edge of the beach is at its greenest, lushest growth.  That night the moon was full, the stars were spectacular in the Milky Way, the weather was cool and the tide was out. Because of the moon the beach was bright which is not ideal for turtles laying eggs. They prefer dark nights for protection.

Poachers of turtle eggs are a big problem in Costa Rica as this is a food source which many believe has Viagra-like properties.  That night we were looking for egg-laying sea turtles and poachers. We found neither.

We saw something remarkable instead: seven newly hatched turtles making their way to the ocean.  Their travel from the nest to the ocean was slow. Many dangers are lurking in the form of crabs, birds and other predators.  Mike and I served as guards and they all made it to the ocean.  You cannot tag baby turtles so nobody knows exactly what happens to them once they reach the water. Survival of the fittest plays a major role in who will survive, grow and perhaps someday come back to this beach.

Because of the success of the first year’s efforts the RIESTER Foundation continues to fund PRETOMA. We are the only funders for the Corozilito project.  Currently volunteers from around the world are monitoring the number of turtles that lay eggs nightly, tagging adult turtles for tracking and discouraging poachers on the beach.

Habitat preservation is critical not just for the survival of turtles and other species, but for human survival as well. In order to make our economy and way of life sustainable we must protect other species and preserve wild places. We are all stewards of this planet and our time here is short. The RIESTER Foundation exists to help pass on a healthy planet to the next generation. Protecting turtles and their habitat may seem like a small thing, but it is a vital part of our job as stewards.

A baby turtle heads for the ocean. Corozilito Beach, Costa Rica.