Ecology Project International — Costa Rica (2011)

A 2011 SWOT grant will be used by Ecology Project International (EPI) to implement an Alumni Leadership Program for Costa Rican youth who have participated in EPI’s field program. Up to 10 youths will be selected to participate in a two-day leadership workshop facilitated by EPI. A subset of those teens will return to the nesting beach as volunteer researchers for a full week. Small grant awards (US $50–100) will be made to participants who propose viable plans for conservation, education, or awareness projects in their communities. From this newly minted group of conservation leaders, EPI will nominate one individual to serve as a sea turtle research assistant in 2013.