The conservation does not only take place on the beach—it also begins in the classroom. Educating the next generation of environmental professionals is essential to protecting biodiversity, and at Eco-Bahía Foundation, we believe that hands-on field experience is one of the most effective ways to achieve this.
As part of our commitment to environmental education and conservation, Eco-Bahía Foundation has concluded another edition of its professional internship program, through which Environmental Engineering students from the Autonomous University of Chiapas (UNACH) actively participated for two months in the Sea Turtle Conservation and Protection Program.
Through collaboration agreements between Eco-Bahía Foundation and academic institutions across Mexico, the students had the opportunity to join daily monitoring, management, and conservation activities focused on protecting sea turtles in the Riviera Maya.
This experience enabled them to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom, develop technical skills, and gain first-hand insight into the importance of collaborative conservation efforts to protect one of the Mexican Caribbean's most iconic and vulnerable marine species.
639 Sea Turtle Nests Protected During Their Internship
Throughout their internship, the students actively participated in the monitoring and protection of 639 sea turtle nests, making a meaningful contribution to the conservation efforts led by Eco-Bahía Foundation each nesting season.
Their work played an important role during one of the most critical stages of the sea turtle reproductive cycle, supporting the technical team in nest monitoring, surveillance, and protection activities.
It is important to note that the nesting season is still underway, and the final number of protected nests for the 2026 season will be announced once the monitoring period has concluded.
For Eco-Bahía Foundation, providing these learning opportunities represents an investment in the future of conservation.
"Conservation requires knowledge, but it also depends on the commitment of new generations. Opening our doors to university students means preparing professionals with hands-on field experience who understand that protecting biodiversity requires collaboration, science, and a deep sense of responsibility toward our natural environment. We are proud to see how their enthusiasm translates into meaningful actions that make a real difference in sea turtle conservation." Luis Verdín, Director of Eco-Bahía Foundation in Mexico.
At the end of the program, Eco-Bahía Foundation recognized the students' commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm, acknowledging the valuable contribution they made to strengthening monitoring and protection efforts during one of the most important periods of the sea turtle nesting season.
At Eco-Bahía Foundation, we firmly believe that collaboration between academia, civil society, and the private sector is essential to developing sustainable solutions that safeguard biodiversity for future generations.
Every student who participates in our programs not only gains valuable professional experience but also becomes an ambassador for environmental stewardship, helping foster a culture of respect and protection for our natural heritage.
These initiatives reinforce Eco-Bahía Foundation's commitment to regenerative tourism and the conservation of the Riviera Maya's natural capital.
Protecting sea turtles is a shared responsibility. If you would like to support biodiversity conservation and help strengthen the environmental programs led by Eco-Bahía Foundation, we invite you to make a donation through our official collaboration platform.
Every contribution helps protect wildlife, preserve ecosystems, and build a more sustainable future.
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