After volunteering for three weeks as the primary caregiver of an orphaned spider monkey, I traveled to the Pacific Coast to volunteer at ARCAS’s sea turtle rehabilitation site. I worked for 6 weeks learning the complex web of connection between the local community, fishermen, sea turtles, neighboring organizations, and Guatemalan law.

Sea turtle eggs are a significant source of income for many coastal communities. Therefore, the sustainable management of egg collection is necessary. The smiles and laughter of children is always a treat throughout an afternoon of education about the sea turtles that their families rely upon. Although it is common for the turtles to nest under the cover of darkness, it is not unusual on a windy day for some females to haul their massive bodies up the beach to lay the next generation of turtles. Day or night, there are always local families waiting to collect the eggs for sale and consumption. Fortunately, it is the goal of organizations like ARCAS to collect 10-20% of the eggs to incubate in a secure hatchery until the hatchlings can return to the sea.

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