As part of our ongoing commitment to support local initiatives, Sayulita Life is proud to donate $5,000 pesos this August to Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita — a community-driven project dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles that nest along our beaches.

We spoke with Biologist Alejandra Aguirre, the camp’s founder and leader for the past 13 years, to learn more about their important work.

Can you tell us a little about Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita?
Alejandra: The camp is a volunteer-based conservation project. Our main goal is to relocate turtle nests to a protected nursery to ensure that the hatchlings survive and make it safely to the ocean. We focus on both conservation and education, working with locals and visitors alike to protect these incredible species.

What’s the main mission of the camp?
Alejandra: To protect and conserve the sea turtles that nest on Sayulita’s beaches — especially the Olive Ridley turtle, though we’ve also had the rare leatherback nest here. We relocate nests, monitor development, and work to educate the public through ecotourism and hands-on experiences. Our goal is to increase hatchling survival rates and rebuild these endangered populations.

What does a typical day look like for your volunteers?
Alejandra: It starts early! We walk the beach at dawn to search for nests and relocate them safely to the nursery. Midday, we check nest temperatures and conditions. In the late afternoon, we return to the camp — and often get to witness baby turtles being released at sunset, which is a beautiful and emotional moment for everyone involved.

How many turtles do you help protect each year?
Alejandra: On average, we protect between 400–500 nests annually, which means about 44,000 eggs and the release of 25,000–30,000 baby turtles into the ocean during each season — mostly from September to December.

What are the biggest challenges you face?
Alejandra: A big one is not having a permanent, protected space on the beach for the nursery. We also struggle with limited funding, human threats to the nests, and a lack of government support. That’s why community donations like the one from Sayulita Life are so important.

How can locals or visitors support your work?
Alejandra: Anyone with a desire to help is welcome! You can:

• Volunteer for nest patrols or turtle releases
• Adopt a nest for just $1,000 pesos ($50 USD)
• Donate via PayPal: AlejandraS@sayulitaturtlecamp
• Buy souvenirs at the turtle releases or Friday town market (Oct–April, 10am–2pm)

When you adopt a nest, we send you a photo of your nest with your name and another one when the babies are released. It’s a special way to contribute.

Has support from the community made a difference?
Alejandra: Absolutely. The donation from Sayulita Life helps us purchase essential materials to get the season started. It also brings attention to our work, helping us grow our network of supporters. Some local businesses have even joined our efforts, and we’ve been thrilled to see more families and visitors getting involved.

Any special story or moment from the camp you’d like to share?
Alejandra: I grew up attending turtle releases in San Pancho — it left a huge impression on me as a child. That’s what inspired me to become a marine biologist and start this project here in Sayulita, which has been my home for over 20 years. Now, we’re not only protecting turtles, but inspiring a new generation of kids to care about conservation.

What’s next for Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita?
Alejandra: Every year brings new challenges, but we believe the right people always show up at the right time. We’re committed to continuing this work as long as we can — for the turtles, for the ocean, and for the future.

📞 Want to get involved or donate?

• Alejandra (Spanish): +52 322 132 7381
• Tyler (English): +1 360 790 7685
• Email: turtlecampsayulita@gmail.com
• Instagram: @sayulitaturtlecamp
• PayPal: AlejandraS@sayulitaturtlecamp

🐢 Protect. Educate. Conserve. Together we give these turtles a fighting chance at life.