Education for Change: Protecting Leatherback Sea Turtles Through Youth Leadership and Community-Based Learning is a dynamic conservation and education initiative based at the Laguna Urpiano Wildlife Refuge on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, home to the country’s most important nesting beach for critically endangered Leatherback sea turtles.
This program engages students, educators, and local communities in hands-on conservation efforts aimed at protecting Leatherback and Hawksbill sea turtles and preserving surrounding coastal ecosystems. Participants take part in field-based activities such as nighttime turtle monitoring, nest relocation, hatchling release, and biodiversity documentation, while gaining a deeper understanding of the ecological and cultural significance of marine conservation.
Designed to empower young people, the program emphasizes youth leadership, experiential learning, and community collaboration. Each year, approximately 80 students participate in immersive four-day modules that not only contribute to active conservation work, but also build environmental literacy, global citizenship, and cross-cultural understanding.
Working alongside biologists and local leaders, students develop critical thinking, teamwork, and advocacy skills—preparing them to become change agents in their own communities. The program also strengthens ties between science and local knowledge, encouraging sustainable practices and long-term stewardship of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Funding this initiative will directly support field operations, youth participation (including scholarships for underserved students), and the expansion of educational resources. By investing in Education for Change, supporters will help protect critical nesting sites, increase hatchling survival rates, and contribute to the preservation of a keystone species. This program not only fosters a new generation of conservation leaders but also strengthens community resilience, builds global conservation networks, and promotes education and opportunity in disadvantaged areas—amplifying its impact far beyond the beach.