“Empowering the Community”

TOURISM – A TOOL FOR CONSERVATION-A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH

History of Nature Seekers

20 years in operation

100% involvement of the community in tourism and

conservation

Track record in protecting turtles, conducting research

& education

Over 300 acres of Reforested land

Good quality tour service with increasing public

participation

The support of the wider population

Partnerships with other community groups, ministries,

environmental groups and funding agencies

What has been achieved

What has been achieved

Increased awareness through beach

cleanups and social media

Total protection of turtles on land

Education of over 10,000 tourists

annually

Sustainable employment for the

community

Reforesting of burnt land

What has been Achieved

Numerous awards (international recognition)

CTO Tourism award 2001

Best Practice Initiative by CTO

Competing with the best for sustainable tourism

CNN Award Chairman Suzan Lakhan Baptiste

At the time this selection was made

out of 4000 persons

Suzan will be on CNN

website for 2 years

Google Search ( CNN

Suzan Lakhan Baptiste)

'Crazy Turtle Woman' transforms graveyard into maternity ward

MATURA, Trinidad (CNN) -- With its white sand and clear, blue water, Trinidad's Matura Beach

looks like a postcard. It's a far cry from its recent past, when leatherback sea turtle carcasses littered

the ground and kept tourists away.

Suzan Lakhan Baptiste

Result of the CNN award.

Website

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International Promotion

Vampire Diaries' star Ian Somerhalder promotes Trinidad

Turtles in Blue August on Discovery.

Earth Savers Series

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC6LcIndMoY&featu

re=player_embedded

Opportunities

Opportunities

Ban on Hunting turtles:

Greater government investment

Increase in visitors:

More public education on Turtles

Increase in Turtles (stable population)

Increased partners

Award: T&T best 2012 Destination globally

Community Involvement

Attraction & Cultural Resources Identified

Attraction around the Matura Area

Large Mora Forest & reforestation of over 300acres of land

Community Tourism Organisation, ‘Nature Seekers’.

Rich cultural diversity

The values, beliefs, folklore, and customs.

Endangered Leatherback Turtles, bats, monkeys, deer, agouti, tattoo, lappe, quenk and iguana.

Red Howler Monkey and the

Otters

Juvenile Hard Shell Turtles,

Other community attractions

Pawi,

Matura Waterfall

Mermaid Pools

Rio Seco Waterfall

Salybia Recreation and Water Sport Centre

Threats

Threats

Bycatch of turtles

Inappropriate or poorly maintained facilities

Poor Roads/Infrastructure

Increase in Crime

Our approach

Investment in the Community Activities & Work

Human Social Cultural

Natural Financial

Extraction of goods and

services

Satisfaction Fundamental

needs

Creating Sustainable

Community Well being

Built

Source: WWF

Training

Economic Linkages

What we Offer

We offer the visitor

A unique community and conservation experience.

A new culture & environment.

Interaction with the residents

Rejuvenation of body, mind & soul

Interaction with the Turtles & other natural environment Educated about turtle conservation, data

collection (volunteer programme)

Made aware of natural attractions in the Matura Area

Products to achieve goal

TURTLE WATCHING TOURS

Alternative Livelihood Glass bead project

Glass is broken and then melted in the

fire.

Glass Bottle Bead Project

Conservation focus- removal of

glass from the beach

Initiate partnerships with

suppliers, hotel/restaurant

owners, general public to

collect & drop off bottles

Create employment

Youth Leadership Programme

Selection of youths with potential and interest in becoming leaders

of the community

Educational programmes/lectures to facilitate conservation and

environmental awareness

Field trips to gain practical knowledge on environmental and natural

resources of Trinidad and Tobago

Hosting of environmental events in the community

Salybia Recreation & Water

Sport Center Kayak Centre

Community Kitchen

Small Meetings and

Conferences

Forest and Water

Hikes/Tours

Thank You