Oaxaca is one of the most diverse states in Mexico. It’s Pacific coast is rugged, rocky, with swirling turquoise water, warmed by ocean currents. Our group from North Carolina State University Department of Horticultural Science has been based in Puerto Escondido, a favorite spot for world-class surfing, too.
NCSU students take part in sea turtle release
This is a global sea-turtle nesting area, among the top five in the world. Preservation efforts to protect the eggs are a priority by volunteers and wildlife preservation group. Several species have been on the brink of extinction.
Amanda and Ricky’s expressions of delight, fascination say it all
Harvesting sea turtle eggs has been banned by the Mexican government since the early 1990’s, but ancient cultural traditions are powerful. Coastal indigenous communities have depended on turtles and turtle eggs for food long before the conquest. It is difficult to change ingrained habits.
Green sea turtles, just born, ready to go to the ocean
Poachers still roam the beaches in the midnight hours to find nesting sites and steal eggs.
Sunset illumination on Oaxaca’s Pacific coast
One of the most incredible experiences of this journey with students and faculty was to take part in a baby turtle release on the coast just north of Puerto Escondido. We arranged this through our wonderful hosts at Hotel Santa Fe.
John couldn’t be happier — he’s about to release a baby turtle
The gender of a sea turtle depends on the warmth of the sand and where the eggs are laid in the nest. Climate change has a huge impact on future populations and reproduction.
Students hear environmental protection practices from volunteer
I remember visiting the coast village of San Mateo del Mar in 2008 to meet the Palafox family weavers. Located on the coast, surrounded by lagoons, the fishermen of the village depended on sea turtles for food.
Nearby luxury beach homes at water’s edge
A huge pile of turtle eggs graced the center of the dining table at the lunch prepared for us. I couldn’t eat, and I know it was rude to pass the bowl without taking one.
Watching the turtles move toward the sea — fascinating
This week, there were faces filled with delight as each student scooped up a tiny baby turtle with a coconut shell bowl to carry it from the nest to the edge of the sand, where it would make its way into the ocean.
Wolfpack tribute on the beach near Puerto Escondido
The group left Oaxaca yesterday. They are an amazing set of young people, smart, curious, sensitive and courteous — a tribute to North Carolina State University. I am impressed by their intelligence and caring, and I will miss them.
It was a privilege to work with the faculty at NCSU to develop this program.
A big, brilliant Oaxaca sky over the Pacific Ocean.
Our donations to participate in this activity help to fund the on-going preservations efforts of the sea turtles along Oaxaca’s Pacific coast.
Baby turtle before release
Volunteers patrol stretches of beach throughout the night. If a volunteer encounters a poacher who finds a nest before s/he does, the volunteer can offer money or most likely backs away to avoid confrontation.
Another view, sea turtle release
NCSU in Oaxaca: Crocodiles, Iguanas, Mangroves at Ventanilla Beach
Rooster in the rain, plastic bag lens protector
It was a rollicking day in the skies over Oaxaca yesterday as I made my way back to Teotitlan del Valle from Puerto Escondido via Mexico City, where Tropical Storm Beatriz was having her way with us.
Sheets of rain cover Aeromar window. What do you see?
Sheets of rain fell as I took off in the little Aeromar turboprop. In Huatulco, the news wasn’t so good as flights were canceled, and one North Carolina State University student who decided to stay a couple of extra days, couldn’t get home as planned.
Iguana, happy on a log.
But, I’d like to back-track. Another highlight of the NCSU study abroad trip to Oaxaca was a visit to the Ventanilla lagoon between Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel, where fresh and salt water mix to support cormorants, crocodiles and iguanas.
Crocodile protecting her nest
The bio-diverse tropical ecosystem is home to white and red mangroves, too.
Under the umbrellas in the rain forest
This is a protected area accessible only by canoe, paddles powered by local guides who volunteer as part of the preservation project of the region.
Let’s take the long view and protect our planet
Our admission fees help support the ecology of the region and the endangered species.
Red mangroves, an endangered specie, Ventanilla Lagoon
We started out by van in a down-pour with no inkling of the storm to come the next days. It was wet, wet, wet and I had to cover my camera lens with a clear plastic bag that I bought from a local food vendor on the beach.
Through the jungle swamp, Ventanilla lagoon, Oaxaca
I think the resulting images give you a sense of the wonder, the tropical humidity, and gauzy landscape shrouded by clouds and rain.
Diving bird drying its wings
By afternoon, the rain cleared. We spent the rest of the day enjoying lunch under the palapa and swimming in a Puerto Angel protected cove. (more about this in another post)
Cicadas hug a tree trunk
First stop en route, fresh coconut juice at roadside stand, Highway 200
We made a stop along the highway to sample fresh coconut, both the milk and the flesh. It was a refreshing break from the heat and gave us a chance to meet some of the local people who make a living harvesting from nearby trees.
Amber, a doctoral student, enjoying fresh coconut milk
Eating fresh coconut with salsa, roadside stand, Pacific Coast Highway 200
An offering of fresh, spicy peanuts — too hot for me!
Anna, Brianna, Kia and Makayla, camaraderie
A marker on the roadside, so we know where we are
Crocodile pond reflections
Professor Ricardo Hernandez and guide talk about preservation, biodiversity
In the lagoon, the families who protect the wildlife explain that they rescue parrots, alligators, crocodiles and monkeys that have been kept in captivity.
David wanted to take this species home, rare color
When the pets get too big and the owners don’t want them anymore, the refuge offers a safe place where the animals and reptiles can be cared for.
Ricky explores the wildlife refuge. These white tail deer were rescued.
Diorama feels real, snap, crackle, pop
David, enjoying the adventure
At the beach, examining the flora, a dreamy gauze
Reptile eggs have a soft, leathery shell. These chicks were just hatched. The reserve has a program to rescue and release.
Baby crocodiles, just hatched
An important message for us all, despite what Agent Orange says
Sea bird takes flight
Endangered sea turtle, National Turtle Center, Mazunte
NCSU, National Turtle Center, Mazunte, Oaxaca
There is also a reforestation project to protect and preserve the mangroves.
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Travel & Tourism, Workshops and Retreats
Tagged biodiversity, ecotourism, education, environmental sustainability, Mexico, North Carolina State University, Oaxaca, study abroad, travel, Ventanilla