Giving Tuesday 2024

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to be a part of something truly impactful—the mission to protect the leatherback sea turtle and other endangered marine species.

The Leatherback Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving these magnificent creatures through research, education, and advocacy. Our mission centers on reducing the threats that face marine life—especially the leatherback sea turtle—by mitigating fisheries bycatch, designating marine protected areas, and fostering community-led conservation efforts.

In Ecuador, we’ve been working since 2019 to decrease fisheries bycatch through data collection on endangered species strandings, fisheries interactions, and by engaging directly with local communities and stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions. In Panama, we’re studying new sea turtle nesting and foraging grounds in the Pearl Islands Archipelago, collaborating with local communities to create wildlife refuges, and advocating for groundbreaking policies, such as the recognition of the Rights of Nature under Law 287.

In 2023, we expanded our efforts even further, launching a long-term monitoring program with the Guna People of Armila, Panama, to protect one of the largest nesting aggregations of leatherback turtles in the world.

As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of supporters like you to continue our vital work. Your donation this Giving Tuesday will help fund initiatives that directly support marine conservation efforts, from protecting endangered wildlife to advocating for stronger laws and building partnerships with communities on the frontlines of conservation.

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in supporting three essential research projects that are critical to the future of our oceans and the species that call them home. Your generous contribution will directly fund efforts that create lasting change in marine conservation.

• Technology: Help us provide innovative solutions to reduce bycatch by funding the installation of lights on fishing nets. These simple yet effective tools can save countless sea turtles and other marine species from accidental capture.

• Discovery: Support our work to uncover new and crucial habitats for endangered species. By identifying previously unknown nesting and foraging areas, we can better protect these vital ecosystems and the creatures that rely on them.

• Coastal Habitats: Partner with us in restoring coastal ecosystems that are vital to the health of both marine life and local communities. Healthy coastlines support biodiversity, provide livelihoods, and create resilience against climate change, benefiting both nature and people.

This year, you have the chance to be a part of the solution. With your contribution, we can continue our work to restore balance to the ocean ecosystems, reduce human impact on marine wildlife, and ensure a sustainable future for the oceans we all depend on.

Donate today and make a lasting difference for the leatherback sea turtle and the future of our planet’s marine life. Together, we can advance these groundbreaking initiatives and help build a future where both marine life and coastal communities thrive. Your gift today can make all the difference.