Uniting indigenous knowledge to protect coastal ecosystems and sea turtles.
Coastal Communities
from Colombia to Mexico
Ancestral Tides is an ACT special initiative to protect coastal ecosystems and sea turtles by connecting indigenous-led conservation efforts and revitalizing associated indigenous knowledge. For over 25 years, ACT has partnered with indigenous peoples in the Amazon to co-create novel and holistic conservation projects. During this time, we have also selectively worked by invitation with a handful of indigenous peoples outside of the Amazon. In the last two years, through natural geographic expansion and direct requests from indigenous communities to jointly protect sea turtle habitats, Ancestral Tides was born.
Accomplishments by the numbers
Sea turtle hatchlings released
Sea turtle nests protected
Kilometers of beach covered in biological monitoring
Indigenous and local communities leading conservation of sea turtles and their ecosystems
Expanding the scope of indigenous environmental stewardship
Terrestrial and marine ecosystems are often seen as distinct and separate systems. However, ecological connectivity extends from the land down into the ocean and vice versa. Indigenous ecological stewardship also extends into the ocean, despite current official reserve categories that limit their domain to terrestrial management. Indigenous peoples living near the coast have profound relationships with the ocean, which not only provides bountiful food sources, but also holds great cultural and spiritual significance for them.
Sea turtles: connectors
between land and sea
In Latin America, there has been very little focus on indigenous-led biocultural coastal ecosystem efforts. This is also true of efforts to conserve sea turtles, a species emblematic of the connection between the two great biomes. Utilizing both indigenous knowledge and Western scientific traditions, we aim to simultaneously conserve these coastal ecosystems and sea turtles while revitalizing associated cultural traditions. Furthermore, by linking community-led conservation efforts in Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico, we will begin to build regional solidarity in coastal conservation and facilitate cultural dialogues.
Testimonials
"In the past, we didn't use to give much importance to sea turtles, but after the training with ACT and working with sea turtles directly, I realized the importance of their protection. I would like my daughters to work in sea turtle conservation so they can continue this work with the new generations, when we are no longer around". -Yinela Salazar, Community leader of the Emberá people, Darién, Panama.
"My greatest dream is that my entire community sees what we see and feels the same way, and that one day, the sea turtles will no longer be in danger of extinction". -Mayra Astorga, Community leader of the Comcáac people, Sonora, Mexico.
"With ACT in La Guajira, we have been able to strengthen awareness processes within our community and raise awareness of the importance of these species for their conservation, creating human touch and environmental awareness. We also want to continue these processes that translate into the conservation of such important species for our people". - Oscar Ceballos, Community leader of the Wayúu people, La Guajira, Colombia.
TORTUGAS PRECIOSAS DE OSA