Community Outreach in Bocas del Toro

Education & Outreach in Bocas del Toro

Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) began working in the Bocas del Toro and Comarca Ngabe-Buglé region in 2003. In 2007, STC began incorporating Environmental Education and Outreach Programs as part of STC’s efforts to protect sea turtles, both nesting populations and in-water aggregations, in the Bocas del Toro Region. From an educational perspective, sea turtles can help conservationists achieve and enhance environmental awareness on people, as they have the power to change environmental attitudes; therefore, it is incredibly valuable to use them as ambassadors of marine ecosystems.

The main environmental issues in the Bocas del Toro region are:

Poaching of sea turtle eggs and adults for consumption;
Waste management;
Nest predation by dogs;
Impacts on marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, from over fishing, pollution, and human pressures;
Non-sustainable water resource management;
Non-sustainable tourism;
Low involvement in the community.

STC is working together with community groups and residents to establishing constant and long-term projects, providing educational and outreach programs that include socioeconomic, cultural and environmental perspectives. Additionally, STC is working with the authorities to reduce poaching of turtles from protected waters and nesting beaches, and the poaching of eggs, especially from Soropta Beach.

Education & Outreach Programs

Learn More About Local Activities

Anti-Poaching Efforts

STC is working with local and national law enforcement and Parks officials to try to reduce poaching of sea turtles from the water and from nesting beaches. This includes providing housing for law enforcement and building a hatchery at Soropta Beach.

Zero Waste Group

A community group formed by the local government, businesses, NGOs and civil society, which has made proposals at a legislative and educational level, achieving formal agreements for plastic bag banning at supermarkets, or foam containers to eat in the restaurants, among others.

Junior Assistant Program

Young people from the Rio Caña community embark voluntarily on this adventure that will allow them to work directly with sea turtles in their nesting habitat. In addition, they receive a complete course with theory and personal research projects.

Office / Visitor’s Center

Visitors can also learn about the different sea turtle species found in the region, their life cycle, and migratory routes. Visitors can also learn about the research (including current nesting numbers), education and community work STC does in the region.

Ecotourism Program at Bluff Beach

Sea turtle tourism program at Bluff Beach, Isla Colon, with the aim that people learn about sea turtles and their threats, as well as they presence the adult female nesting process at the beach.