Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico - The Nuevo Vallarta Sea Turtle Preserve will host a liberación of newly hatched Olive Ridley sea turtles on Playa Punta Mita next Thursday, March 8 at 6:30 pm. We will meet on the beach at the official Ventana del Mar, or Window to the Sea, which is the path at the stone wall at the end of Calle Hidalgo.

The director of the Preserve, Hermilo Esparza Venegas, will officiate, and there will also be a brief discussion about our local turtles and their importance to the marine ecology, in both English and Spanish.

The Campamento de Tortugas protects over six thousand nests annually in an effort to return us to sustainable turtle populations. It is the largest camp in Nayarit, and is presenting this sunset hatchling release with the support of AMA Mexico, or the Association for Mexican Environmental Unity. A small donation is requested of adults only.

Through our strictly volunteer fundraising efforts and the generosity of our community, two new off-road vehicles were purchased and donated to greatly aid the collection of sea turtle eggs on the beaches between the Grand Mayan Resort and Bucerías.

Arts for the Turtles Fundraiser

On Thursday, March 15, 2012, the non-profit organization AMA Mexico, the Association for Mexican Environmental Unity, and the Nuevo Vallarta Sea Turtle Preserve, will host its second Arts For The Turtles fundraising event this year.

Local painters, sculptors, jewelers, bakers, and many others have donated their works for sale, as have several restaurants. There will be a silent auction and a special lunch prepared by the Seahorse Restaurant. Admission is free from 11 to 3 pm.

Nuevo Vallarta Sea Turtle Preserve is the largest in the state of Nayarit. Sunset hatchling liberaciones are held at the camp, which is located in front of the Bahia del Sol resort, Playa Cocoteros and Retorno Cozumel in Nuevo Vallarta. We encourage you to come visit.

Sea turtles are a keystone species, one on which much of our marine life depends. They are a true indicator of the health and vitality of sea life and the Banderas Bay future generations will know.