Green Globe Certification on Sea Turtle Conservation

Sea turtles have existed for over 100 million years, and they travel through the world’s oceans. Suddenly, however, they are struggling to survive…mainly because of things people are doing to the planet’s oceans and beaches. There is still time to learn from mistakes made, and save sea turtles from extinction. In the process, we will be saving one of the earth’s most mysterious and time-honored creatures.
 

Green Globe members are committed to contribute to the support of biodiversity conservation and avoid any disturbance of a natural ecosystem. A wonderful example of outstanding conservation efforts can be found in one of the world’s most ethical destinations…

More than 10 years ago, Green Globe Elite Member, the Rosalie Bay Resort, initiated the sea turtle conservation efforts on the Caribbean island of Dominica. Three endangered sea turtles nest at Rosalie Bay and on Dominica: the Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback. The program began at the eco-boutique resort’s black sand beach, but has since spread island wide and been a great success.
 

The efforts began prior to construction of the resort when owner Beverly Deikel, an ex-pat from Minnesota, discovered nesting turtles on the property and learned the endangered sea creatures were not protected on the island. Rosalie Bay Resort wanted to be "turtle-friendly" and inspire Dominicans and visitors so that growing turtle populations could aid the recovery of these species in Dominica and throughout the Caribbean. The 28-room wind- and solar-powered resort was built to be turtle friendly, with no buildings and turtle sensitive landscape lighting near the nesting site.

In 2003, Beverly and her partner Oscar partnered with Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) and Field Director Marine Biologist Rowan Byrne to bring the first research and conservation effort for endangered sea turtles to Dominica. The program included collecting data on nesting sea turtles to monitor the turtles’ movements and behavior, educate local residents, adults and school children, on the endangered status of the turtles and how they can help, and outreach efforts to engage the community in conservation including youth camps, beach clean-up days and training residents to be turtle watchers to patrol nesting beaches and report sightings to a national sea turtle hotline.

In 2003 there were only seven leatherback nests. By 2010 there were 69 nests of three species of sea turtles: leatherback, hawksbill and green – and a 100% survival with all nesting species protected.

"The effort that one person, Beverly, put into this success story cannot be over-emphasized," says Dr. Karen L. Eckert, Executive Director at WIDECAST. "She had the help of the WIDECAST network, which designed the project and provided field directors, and there was strong support from the Forestry Division and other agencies. But without her determination and funding, nothing would have taken place. Beverly is Dominica’s Turtle Lady and she has made an incredible difference in the lives of the magnificent animals."

For its sea turtle conservation efforts, Rosalie Bay Resort was honored by Travel + Leisure with a Global Vision Award for Conservation in 2012.