Ocean Spirits — Grenada (2016)

Grenada is home to a large concentration of nesting leatherbacks, which Ocean Spirits has been working to protect since 1999. In addition to making nightly patrols, Ocean Spirits conducts educational programs for local community members.

A 2016 SWOT grant built on the organization’s existing education and public awareness projects and helped to launch a Sea Turtle Junior Ranger Program, whose aim is to select and empower 14 children from communities near key leatherback nesting sites. The program includes classroom and field-based activities, such as rainforest tours, nest excavations, hatchling releases, and nightly beach surveys. At the end of the nesting season, students will have the opportunity to share their experience with local community members.