When Conservation Is Lived as a Community
The year 2025 left a lasting mark on the beaches of Cahuita. It was a year of early mornings on the sand, long nights protecting nests, volunteer hands collecting waste, children learning to love the sea, and tiny hatchlings finding their way to the ocean.
At Turtle Rescue Cahuita, every action has a clear purpose: to protect sea turtles and strengthen the connection between science, community, and territory. This blog is a journey through everything we experienced and achieved during 2025, thanks to the collective effort of volunteers, partners, institutions, and local communities.
Beach Cleanups and Recycling: Caring for the Turtles’ Home
Throughout the year, we actively participated in beach cleanup campaigns and community recycling initiatives in Cahuita, Playa Negra, Playa Grande, Moín, and surrounding areas.
Thanks to the joint efforts of the Municipality of Talamanca, partner organizations, and local and international volunteers, we collected hundreds of kilograms of recyclable materials, including glass, plastic, cardboard, aluminum, and Tetra Pak.
These actions not only reduce marine pollution but also prevent direct threats to sea turtles, which can mistake waste for food or become entangled in debris.
Science Applied to Conservation: Monitoring, Permits, and Hatcheries
One of the most important milestones of 2025 was obtaining official research and monitoring permits for sea turtles on the beaches of Moín and Playa Grande in Cahuita.
This achievement allowed us to strengthen key conservation actions such as:
- Egg rescue and incubation
- Nest and track monitoring
- Collection of biometric data from nesting females
- Temperature and humidity control in hatcheries
Science was, and will continue to be, the foundation supporting every decision made at Turtle Rescue Cahuita.
Births That Inspire: 88% Hatching Success
The beginning of the 2025 hatching season was one of the most emotional moments of the year. After months of constant monitoring, we celebrated the release of leatherback hatchlings—symbols of hope for critically endangered species.
In Moín, we achieved an 88% hatching success rate, a percentage considered highly successful in marine conservation. Every hatchling that reached the sea was the result of nights of surveillance, technical care, and human commitment.
Some releases brought together hundreds of people, strengthening the bond between the community and conservation.
Environmental Education: Planting Awareness from Childhood
During 2025, Turtle Rescue Cahuita carried out numerous educational talks, guided visits, and community activities with:
- Local schools and high schools
- National and international universities
- Children and youth from coastal communities
Notable experiences included the 1st Moín Environmental Rally 2025, talks at Cahuita National Park, visits to educational centers, and microplastic analysis conducted in school laboratories.
We firmly believe that education is the foundation of long-term conservation
Recognitions That Reflect Collective Effort
Consistent work brought significant achievements in 2025:
- Ford Motor Company Fund Environmental Award, received in Panama, which will allow the construction of a new in situ hatchery at Playa Grande, designed to increase hatching success and mitigate climate change impacts.
- Three stars in the Blue Flag Ecological Program, after more than eight years holding a single star.
These recognitions are not individual achievements; they represent the collective effort of a community committed to protecting the ocean.
Closing: Thank You for Being Part of This Story
The year 2025 reminded us that conservation is not an isolated task. It is a path built through science, education, and community.
Thank you to every volunteer, institution, partner, and individual who walked alongside us this year.
We will continue working so that sea turtles have a future—and so that Cahuita remains an example of community-based conservation.
Thank you for being part of Turtle Rescue Cahuita.