We celebrated the XV edition of the Leatherback Turtle Festival

The Leatherback Trust was present in the XV edition of the Leatherback Turtle Fest in Playa Grande celebrating the arrival of this sea turtle in Las Baulas National Marine Park.

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Originally posted for The Leatherback Trust

The leatherback turlte nesting season 2017-18 is close to finish, March 15, 2018. On this occasion, last Friday, March 3, the XV edition of the Leatherback Turtle Festival (“Festival de las Tortugas Baulas” in Spanish) was held to commemorate the nesting of the sea turtles that have come to nest this season at the beaches of the Las Baulas National Marine Park. This festival had as its central topic: the biological corridors, connecting life and well-being.

​In this edition, The Leatherback Trust reiterates its commitment and support to the Las Baulas National Marine Park. Together, we let the kids have the opportunity to play, learn and know each other with the participating schools the day before the festival. The children not only learned about turtles and marine corridors, but also about the importance of working collectively to pursue a common goal.

Once the Festival was over, we opened the opportunity for the attendees to participate in a drawing contest whose prizes were backpacks with a kit of school supplies, and to everyone a gift. The first places were obtained by children of the community and invited schools, whose drawings explained the relation between the leatherbacks and the ecosystems that they travel through.

This year the Festival was dedicated to Bernal Cortés Carrera, a National Park ranger, who retires after having worked more than 20 years for the Ministry of the Environment for Energy (MINAE), and about 10 years for the Las Baulas National Marine Park. We express our gratitude to this outstanding official, not only for his commitment in the development of his function, but also for the passion with which he has developed it.
We also appreciate your participation in the event and the support of Bishop Dwenger College, Earthwatch Institute, volunteers and your collaboration in the execution of this activity, as well to the organizers of the event. See you next edition!

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