A conservationist protecting sea turtles in Trinidad

Hi, my name is Mike and I am raising funds to support an inspirational couple in Trinidad who are protecting endangered sea turtles by patrolling the beach where they lay their eggs.

Every night during the nesting season (1 March to 31 August), Arlene Williams and Simba Burnley patrol Las Cuevas beach from 8pm until 2-3am. Their patrols deter poachers, stray dogs and other threats to nesting turtles and their hatchlings. They also do research, gathering data on the turtles and tagging their flippers to monitor their future visits. They have been doing this unpaid since 2018 as key members of a community-based group called the Las Cuevas Eco-Friendly Association.

You can watch the video above to learn more about their work.

I met Arlene earlier this year and was hugely impressed by her dedication to turtle conservation. She and her fellow patrollers used to receive a stipend for patrolling the beach, but the funding stopped in 2018. She and Simba continue, unpaid, out of their love for the turtles.

I was stunned to also learn that Arlene and Simba have been living without electricity for the past five years. The national electricity company says the couple must spend around US$7000 to install a transformer for their home. Arlene and Simba have saved up most of the money, but need some help with the final few hundred dollars.

Can you help? Any additional funds raised here will support their turtle conservation work with the Las Cuevas Eco-Friendly Association.

About me: I am a UK-based biologist and journalist who has spent 28 years working on biodiversity and conservation issues. I met Arlene and Simba in Trinidad in August 2024 and offered to help them to raise some funds. As GoFundMe does not transfer funds into banks in Trinidad I will act as an intermediary, transferring 100% of the money raised here.