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Las Baulas National Park, Costa Rica

Other activities in the Park and with the Local Community

Apart from the biological work being conducted, the Las Baulas leatherback project incorporates other activities in the park and within the local community. These include;

• An on going education program with local schools including donation of books and other materials for fine art and drama. To become involved or for more information, please contact Judy Zabriskie, education and community development coordinator (gypsy@inxpress.net)
• construction of a house for National Park volunteers
• cleaning of garbage and debris from the beach
• donation of computer and other equipment to National Park administration
  

  
  We did an aerial survey of Pacific Costa Rican beaches to look for leatherback nesting activity. The results indicated that over 85% of the nesting takes place at Las Baulas.
  
  Unfortunately many beaches are covered by wood and garbage which makes it very difficult for turtles to nest.
  

A visit to the turtle museum is organised for the school students to learn about turtles, make drawings for display and later to go to the beach to see a turtle nesting. This was the first time that any of the students had seen a leatherback.

School students perform a puppet show about turtle conservation for Earthwatch project volunteers as well as folkloric dancing.