Conservation program for olive ridley turtles in Costa Rica

The regenerative lagoons developed in Punta Leona, Costa Rica, part of the conservation initiative led by César Vargas, have proven effective in reducing organic matter, transforming and assimilating nutrients, and retaining or eliminating toxic substances that would otherwise be released untreated into the environment.

Beyond water purification, these artificial wetlands offer a range of environmental benefits: they improve overall ecosystem quality, help restore ecological niches, enhance the landscape, and contribute to the creation of buffer zones that mitigate rising temperatures.

The stabilized waters also supply nutrients that support the diverse flora and fauna typical of wetland ecosystems. Within these habitats, various species coexist, some drawn temporarily, others establishing a permanent presence among the lagoon’s surface and surrounding vegetation.

In addition, the program seeks to protect the nests from natural predators such as raccoons, crabs, and birds, as well as from human activities such as egg plundering. Measures are also being taken to raise awareness among the local community about the importance of these turtles and promote their active participation in conservation.

This project not only seeks to protect sea turtles but also to establish a baseline of data that will allow us to better understand the behavior of these species in Playa Blanca. The success of this program has a significant impact on the local ecosystem and biodiversity of the Central Pacific. In addition, it seeks to foster greater environmental awareness and education among coastal communities, highlighting that turtles are worth more alive than dead.