Sayulita Life’s $5,000 Monthly Donation Goes To: El Campamento Tortuguero!

Hi! Can you please introduce yourself?
I am marine biologist María Alejandra Aguirre Ayala, dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles and environmental education in Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico. I graduated from the Instituto Tecnológico de Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit. I have 14 years of experience in sea turtle conservation and management activities in Sayulita. I collaborate with national and international research groups such as the Tortuguera Network (RETO), the Tortuguero Group of the Californias (GTC), and the Science Exchange. I also participate in workshops and conferences and have done extensive work in environmental education, contributing to children’s camps at the Mazatlán Aquarium in Sinaloa and the Guadalajara Zoo in Jalisco. In January 2019, I won the Carolina Anderson Award from the Tortuguero Group of the Californias in Sinaloa. Currently, I am the founder of Conservación de Tortugas Sayulita AC, an organization created to address environmental issues, resource management, conservation, and environmental education.

Tell us a little bit about how the Sayulita Turtle Camp was initiated:
The Sayulita Turtle Camp, now registered as Conservación de Tortugas Sayulita AC, is a local program dedicated to the protection and conservation of sea turtles that come to nest on the beaches of Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico, from June to December. This program was registered as a research project in 2011 by marine biologist María Alejandra Aguirre Ayala, who works diligently with local volunteers such as Roberto Carlos Escobar, Jazmín Escobar, Cinthya Escobar, Margarita Pacheco, Tony Moreno, Claudia Luna, Samantha Sanchez, Rabin Dranath, and also with students from the University of Arizona’s The Science Exchange program, such as Gelsey Valenzuela.

Why is it so important to protect sea turtles?
Sea turtles are endangered species that play crucial roles in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. They transfer nutrients, help clean the sand on beaches, and feed on sponges and jellyfish, maintaining population control. One of the main problems in our Sayulita community is the intense anthropogenic influence on the beaches due to tourism development, with beaches having little space for nesting and being overrun by bars, lounge chairs, and umbrellas in nesting areas, as well as bright lights from beachfront hotels during the June to December season, leaving no safe space for sea turtle nests. Additionally, there is also the problem of egg theft by poachers who sell the eggs under the false belief that they provide sexual power to men.

When is the work season at the Sayulita Turtle Camp?
The activities in the sea turtle protection program start in July with the installation of the corral, which will serve as the refuge site for nest incubation. We will also invite volunteers to join our team. In August, nighttime and early morning patrols begin to collect nests. Hatchling releases will occur from September to December at sunset in front of the facilities. Dates will be published on Facebook (Sayulita Turtle Release).

Why is the Sayulita Turtle Camp such an essential part of our community?
The Sayulita Turtle Camp aims to protect sea turtle nests in Sayulita to help recover nesting turtle populations on the beaches, as they have been hunted for many years for their meat and eggs. We also seek to raise awareness among locals and visitors about the importance of each species in our community through talks during sunset releases on the beach and by visiting schools to give lectures in children’s classrooms. We provide students with a place to perform community service, professional internships, where we mainly host university students from marine biology programs from Zacatecas, Durango, Bahía de Banderas, Arizona, and California.

How can locals as well as visitors help the marine life?

• They can participate in our activities as volunteers on nocturnal or diurnal patrols, help translate during turtle releases, and support in cleaning up nests after hatching.
• They can donate materials or money to the program.
• They can call if they see a turtle.
• They should not buy turtle eggs.

How is the program financed?
The program does not receive government support, so the only financial support for buying materials, paying staff training, and conducting environmental education activities comes from donations by visitors or tourists during turtle releases or remotely. Some local businesses also contribute small support. The program is generally sustained through donations.

How can people donate money to support the turtle protection program and environmental education with children?
Via PayPal (Alejandra S) @sayulitaturtlecamp
During turtle releases at sunset
HSBC Debit Account 6526056093
Interbank Key 021578065260560933

Do you think there is a way to coexist with tourism and nature?
Tourists can coexist respectfully with sea turtles and nature as long as they engage in actions that help minimize harm. For example, by participating as volunteers, helping keep the beaches clean, and reporting any damage to nature.

Apart from donating, is there any other way to help while visiting Sayulita?

• They can report if they see a turtle at +52 322 1327381.
• They can participate as volunteers.
• They can join beach cleanup campaigns held on the first Tuesday of each month (SAYU-LIMPIA).
• Social Media: Facebook Sayulita Turtle Release
• Phone: +52 3221327381