~  Newsletter No. 264  February, 2024 ~

Hola Volunteers and Supporters ~

We’re excited to announce a smooth transition in directorship from Frank to Jessica! Frank’s leadership has been invaluable, and we extend our deepest gratitude for his dedication. As Jessica steps into her new role, we’re confident in her ability to bring fresh perspectives and drive our team forward. Her wealth of experience and innovative thinking make her the perfect fit to lead us into this next chapter. We look forward to a successful future under her guidance.

“An Ocean of Gratitude” farewell fundraising event surpassed all expectations, with a delightful blend of exquisite cuisine by Eva and captivating performances by Circo de Los Niños, Alyssa Bunce, and Juan-Teds’ Renegades. The evening was a true celebration of our community’s generosity and support. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, their presence a testament to their commitment to our cause.

Except for a few late nests, around 30 to 60, which will incubate naturally, as they have for millions of years, our 2023 nesting season has come to an end; it’s time to rest and time to make sure that all our vehicles, the nursery, and our materials are stored away safely until we begin our next 2024 season around early May.  Until then, our time will be spent attending to all the paperwork necessary to keep the program operating throughout the year.  The 2023 nesting records are below, just in case you’re interested again.

• The total recorded nests came to 1,118:
• 401 relocated on the beach into better locations.
• 680 nests incubated in the box nursery.
• 37 nests taken by poachers.
• 81,037 hatchlings released to the sea.
• 1,694,185 hatchlings have been released since the beginning of 1992.
• Due to our success, about 270 young females will nest for the first time over the next 12 years, and more will continue to join them.
• And over the past 32 years over 229 individual volunteers of all ages have joined in our effort to protect the marine turtle.   

 
As mentioned, the Leatherback nesting season begins around mid-November and ends in mid-April.  To date, we have three Leatherback nests on Playa Questo and one Eastern Pacific turtle nest; they are all under the protective eyes of our volunteers.
 
February staff and volunteers:  Steve Raschke, Elvia Garcia, Jessica Schmidt, Karen Sorum, Hallie Loveridge, Nick Sanders, Odette Brunel, Ulises Ledesma González, Deanna Covington, Taylor Kimbell, and Susana Ayón.
 
If you or someone you know are interested in volunteering or helping in some way this next summer, ask them to fill out our Volunteer application page.   Also, if you can spread the word about our volunteering opportunity, give it a try.  We are looking for some former volunteers to train our incoming new volunteers as they join us.
 
A good way to financially help Grupo Ecológico is through our 501(c)3 tax-deductible donation site.  To donate, you can contact Travler, a US charity organization that has supported Grupo Ecológico for several years. Click on this link to make a tax-deductible contribution.
 
This 2023 nesting season was the most expensive on record, costing 402,000 pesos.  The expense violators were the four volunteer apartments, installing our own new 501(c)3 (it is on its final approval!), the annual overhaul of the dune buggy, and because of the lack of volunteers, we had to hire help to patrol the beach.  Offsetting the expenses, are donations, which came to about 228,000 pesos.
 
Weather-wise: February daytime temperatures were around the low-80° to low-70°, while nighttime temps were in the mid-60°.  February rainfall was 1.72 inches. For the year, the amount came to 1.75 inches.  All around good weather.
 
Heartfelt thanks to all our many donors; you are our heroes: Jennifer Nelsen, Susan Stephens, Amy Summers, and Paula Branson.  Please help if you can, by contributing to our website PayPal link and our 501(c)3.
 
Jessica Schmidt, Director
Frank Smith, Technical Adviser
Elvia Garcia, Secretary
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.
Our email is: [email protected]
Our website is: http://www.project-tortuga.org
https://www.facebook.com/ProjectTortuga/
https://www.instagram.com/projecttortugasanpancho/
For new Volunteers https://www.project-tortuga.org/handbook.html
Tel. 311-258-4100 and 001-262-497-6671
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Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde
102 America Latina,
San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico
Tel: 311-258-4100
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]