Fundación Tortugas del Mar — Colombia (2014)

Cartagena de Indias, located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, is one of the largest tourist destinations in the Caribbean. The constant influx of both national and foreign tourists feeds a thriving long-term business in illegal tortoiseshell handicrafts.

Fundación Tortugas del Mar will use the 2014 SWOT grant to help launch its “Turtle friendly tourism in Cartagena, Colombia” campaign. The campaign will work to raise awareness with both the local communities and tourists about the illegal tortoiseshell trade. The community outreach program will work to introduce conservation concepts through school activities, community briefings, and presentations. The environmental awareness campaign will reach out to tourists with fact sheets, posters, media events, and other promotional materials.