Community-Driven Action

We emphasize collaboration with local communities, fishers, and government agencies.

Building Solutions Through Collaboration

We are proud to collaborate with fishers, local biologists, university students, and government agencies around the world. Our work would not be possible without the partnership, guidance, and trust of local communities.

We are especially grateful to the fishing communities who have welcomed open dialogue and shared their knowledge, helping us to grow together and co-create practical solutions for ocean conservation. Through presentations, lectures, and community engagement, we are fostering meaningful conversations about the most pressing threats to our ocean and exploring realistic, collaborative paths toward sustainable ocean stewardship.

Our Community Engagement

Through active collaboration, we engage local community members in three key initiatives designed to inspire the next generation of ocean conservationists and drive meaningful progress in marine protection. These efforts are at the heart of our mission to create lasting, community-driven impact for the health of our ocean.

Public Lectures & Discussions

Inspiring Action

We are fostering collaboration and raising awareness about the urgent need for ocean conservation through public lectures and community discussions. These conversations highlight our ongoing initiatives, while also emphasizing the critical role marine biodiversity plays in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. By connecting with diverse communities and sectors of society, we aim to inspire collective action to protect and preserve our ocean for future generations.

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Environmental Education

The Next Generation

We are committed to engaging people of all ages in meaningful conversations about the health of our marine ecosystems. By connecting with youth and communities through outreach and education, we are fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges our ocean faces and the urgent actions needed to protect it. Inspiring the next generation is key to ensuring a future where our ocean thrives.

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UN 2025 group photo of conversation representatives

Collaboration with Local Universities

The Future of Conservation

At the heart of our organization is a passionate team of local biologists, university students, and fisher collaborators, who are all working together to protect the ocean. Our efforts are powered by dedicated volunteers who are committed to making a real impact on marine conservation. Through hands-on involvement, university students not only contribute to vital fieldwork but also have the opportunity to complete their thesis projects in partnership with the organization, gaining invaluable experience while helping drive meaningful change.

Meet Our Students

Explore the Communities Behind Our Conservation

Discover how our local collaborations are creating real change by protecting leatherback sea turtles and other marine life, empowering communities, and inspiring global action.

Together, we are reshaping how we connect with Nature and building a more sustainable future for future generations.

Iluminar El Mar x Jaramijó

Uniting Communities to

Light Up the Sea

In Jaramijó, Ecuador, fishers and conservationists are working side by side to co-create solutions to protect endangered marine species like the Eastern Pacific leatherback sea turtle. Iluminar El Mar uses green LED lights on artisanal gillnets to reduce bycatch while supporting local livelihoods. For conservation solutions to succeed, they cannot be imposed from the outside. They must be built with the people who rely on the ocean every day. That’s why local fishers are guiding each step of the process to ensure the tools are practical and aligned with the needs of both communities and marine life.

Click below to learn how this partnership is making waves.

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SENAN Collaboration

Defending Nature’s Rights, Together

We are working side by side with Panama’s National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) to turn the Rights of Nature into action. Through joint efforts in law enforcement, education, and community outreach, our partnership is strengthening marine conservation and protecting endangered species like sea turtles. In a groundbreaking move, SENAN created an Environmental Committee dedicated to upholding Panama’s historic Rights of Nature law, an initiative sparked by ongoing collaboration with our founder, Callie Veelenturf.

Click below to learn more about this vital partnership.

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Proyecto Yaug Galu x Armila

Blending Tradition and Science to Protect Leatherbacks

In the Guna Yala community of Armila, Panama, we have joined forces with Proyecto Yaug Galu to protect the Eastern Pacific leatherback sea turtle. Together, we have launched a long-term monitoring program, conducting in-water habitat research, and nurturing a conservation ethic rooted in cultural tradition. Through satellite tagging, community-led beach cleanups, and education initiatives, this partnership safeguards critical nesting grounds while honoring indigenous knowledge.

Click below to learn how this collaboration is shaping the future of marine conservation.

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RESERVA: The Youth Land Trust

Youth-Powered Conservation for a Wilder Ocean

We have teamed up with Reserva: The Youth Land Trust (RESERVA) to protect vital marine habitats in Panama’s Pearl Islands. Through youth-led fundraising, RESERVA has helped fund satellite tags that allow us to track sea turtle migrations and advocate for the creation of marine protected areas. This partnership blends cutting-edge science with local knowledge and youth activism to promote sustainable ocean stewardship.

Click below to learn how this collaboration is inspiring the next generation of ocean conservation.

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Sea turtle release with local children Saboga.jpeg

Saboga Wildlife Refuge x Pearl Islands Community

A Community-Led Victory for Nature

We joined forces with the community of Saboga in the Pearl Islands to establish the Saboga Wildlife Refuge, an 83 km² marine sanctuary protecting vital habitats and breeding grounds for endangered species, including the leatherback sea turtle. Powered by local voices, scientific research, and Panama’s Rights of Nature law, this refuge stands as a model for community-driven conservation.

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In The News

Proyecto Yaug Galu x Armila

Saving a Sacred Turtle: A Guna Community Strives to Keep the World’s Largest Sea Turtle from the Brink of Extinction

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