Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde

Marine turtles, once abundant along Mexico’s Pacific coast, now face the threat of extinction due to human impact. In response, Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C. established a marine turtle nursery in San Francisco (San Pancho), Nayarit, in 1992 to protect Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtle eggs.

Historically, hundreds of turtles nested freely on the undeveloped beaches, but over the last century, coastal development, poaching, shrimp fishing, and tourism have severely disrupted their habitat. By 1988, these pressures had reduced the nesting population from tens of thousands to fewer than 200 turtles annually.

The purpose of Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C., authorized in 1993 as the first environmental group in Nayarit, Mexico, is to protect the environment along the Pacific "Green Coast"—with a special focus on sea turtles and other endangered species. Its mission includes:

• Preserving marine turtles and their habitats (beaches, wetlands, rivers, and coastal forests).

• Promoting environmental education and sustainable practices in fishing, farming, construction, and landscaping.

• Supporting community development through clean-up efforts, public health initiatives, and infrastructure improvements.

• Collaborating with government and environmental organizations to safeguard natural and visual resources for ecological and public benefit.

https://www.project-tortuga.org/