This winter, we welcomed two amazing groups to work alongside sea turtle conservationists in Costa Rica! With specialized COVID-19 adjustments in place, we are happy to report that this Sea Turtle Retreat was delivered safely and successfully.
For this winter Sea Turtle Retreat, our two patrols kicked off their experience with a tree climb at our rainforest base. It was great to see everyone being so supportive of one another as they belayed, climbed, rappelled, and cheered each other on while conquering a towering strangler fig tree. Alongside their instructors, they also explored our beautiful outdoor mountain rainforest base for some get-to-know-you activities, including our Blue Peter Flag and Human Knot, and received their first sea turtle lesson!
Patrol 1 then began their first service project in our reserve gardens and greenhouses—a huge contribution to the rainforest conservation efforts. The low COVID-19 rates is Costa Rica meant that the group could safely explore a bit further in the afternoon, with a visit to Museo Nacional de Costa Rica. The next day, the patrol headed to the country’s highest volcano, Volcan Irazu! Here, they were able to see spectacular views over the crater while learning about the paramo ecosystem and volcanology. The sky was so clear that they could see Volcan Turrialba in the distance and both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Next up was the Basílica de Nuestro Señora de los Angeles in Cartago, where, for over 200 years, it has been a Costa Rican tradition to pilgrimage on August 2nd to this site to honor the Virgin de Los Angeles.
The group started their New Year’s Eve celebrations with a coffee tour! At a Tres Rios coffee plantation they saw the coffee berries, learned how the coffee picking process works, and how Tres Rios is actually home to many coffee plantations that serve as a source for Starbucks and Britt coffee beans sold in the U.S. Then, they zoomed off to a thrilling ziplining tour through the rainforest canopy—a must-do experience in Costa Rica! To ring in the New Year, they celebrated with a piñata, patacones, musica Latina, paper masks, and dancing.
While Patrol 1 were exploring Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Patrol 2 headed to the Camaronal Wildlife Reserve in Guanacaste. This location is so special because, of the seven species of sea turtle that can be found throughout the world, four of them can be found on the shores of Playa Camaronal! The group learned from and worked alongside local conservationists to help protect the sea turtle populations here. They helped relocate baby sea turtles to the nursery, released new hatchlings to the ocean, completed clean-ups to clear the way for sea turtles that move up and down the beach, and conducted night patrols to protect mama sea turtles laying their eggs.
On New Year’s Day, the patrols switched! Patrol 1 traveled to the Pacific Coast to complete their sea turtle conservation work…
On Jan 4th, both patrols came back to our rainforest base for their final dinner and ceremony. We are so proud of these groups and wish them well in taking their personal growth, newfound friendships, and learnings with them into 2022 and beyond!