Overview
Team
Partners
Milestones
Fellowship Opportunity

About

Mission Statement

The mission of The Leatherback Trust is to protect leatherback turtles, other endangered sea turtles, freshwater turtles and their ecosystems through conservation, research, management and education.

Goals and Activities

The Leatherback Trust supports conservation, research and management at leatherback and other sea turtle nesting beaches and their ecosystems throughout the world; supports scientists and students in their research and conservation efforts on sea turtle nesting beaches; supports local conservation projects involving local communities at and near sea turtle nesting beaches; supports the training and education of people in countries where sea turtles live and nest; supports training and education of sea turtle biologists and conservationists: supports the purchase and protection of land on and near leatherback turtle and other sea turtle nesting beaches; supports conservation of freshwater turtles; and supports the establishment, building and operation of biological stations and information buildings on and near sea turtle nesting beaches.

Team

Our organization is run by a dedicated team of researchers and professionals advancing sound science and protecting turtles through respectful, collaborative actions.

James R. Spotila, Ph.D

Chairman of the Board

Dr. Spotila has been studying and saving sea turtles since 1978. In 1978 he led the team that successfully completed the first sonic and radio telemetry study of sea turtles. They measured the body temperature of swimming green turtles at Tortuguero, Costa Rica and discovered that they exhibited regional endothermy…

keeping their muscles warm while swimming. In 1980 his team discovered that temperature determined the sex of incubating embryos of green sea turtles. The cover article published in SCIENCE revolutionized the way that scientists thought about sex determination and conservation of sea turtles. Since then, he has published over 200 scientific articles and trained 96 MS and Ph.D. students as well as numerous undergraduates. Her was the Betz Chair professor of Environmental Science at Drexel University and served as Chief Environmental Scientist for the Department of the Army in the Clinton Administration. In 1994 he and Frank Paladino helped establish Parque Nacional Las Baulas in Costa Rica. In 2000 they established The Leatherback Trust to help consolidate the park and save leatherback and other sea turtles. He has also led a project on the biology and conservation of giant pandas in China.

Frank V. Paladino, Ph. D.

President

Dr. Paladino has been studying and saving sea turtles since 1989. Before that he did groundbreaking work on the metabolism of birds and the effect of arsenic on survival and thermal tolerance of fish. He was the first to train a bird to hop on a treadmill and measure the metabolic cost of that locomotion. In 1989 he led…

the team to measure the metabolic rate of leatherback turtles at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Since then he has led efforts to track the behavior and migration of leatherback turtles using satellite telemetry. He also worked on measuring the metabolic rate of free swimming and nesting leatherback turtles and hatchling olive ridley turtles using double labeled water. He is the Schrey Professor & Director of the Center for Marine Conservation & Biology at Purdue University Fort Wayne. He has trained dozens of MS and Ph.D. students as well as many undergraduates. He leads the science team studying the biology of nesting turtles at Las Baulas Park and in the water at El Jobo in Northwest Costa Rica. He has authored many scientific articles in NATURE and other leading scientific journals. Dr. Paladinoi has the lead in the consolidation of Las Baulas Park after helping form the Leatherback Trust with Dr. Spotila.

Harold W. Avery, Ph. D.

Vice President for Ecology

Dr. Avery has been studying turtles and tortoises for over 40 years. He was the first to measure the food intake and assimilation of a freshwater turtle and for many years was a lead biologist in the Bureau of Land Management and USGS doing work on the biology and conservation of the desert tortoise.

He was a key member of a team that developed a compromise solution to the expansion of the US Army’s Fort Irwin in the Mojave Desert of California that also promoted the conservation of the desert tortoise. That led to $70 million for desert tortoise conservation. Since then, he was an Associate Professor of Biology at Drexel University and is an Adjunct Professor of Biology at the College of New Jersey. He has directed many graduate and undergraduate students on projects studying the ecology of freshwater turtles and diamondback terrapins. He has the lead in developing and maintaining conservation easement projects for The Leatherback Trust.

Thomas J. Elzey, MBA

Treasurer

Mr. Elzey is President of the Elzey Consulting Group, LLC in Philadelphia, PA. He earned his MBA at Carnegie Mellon University in Public Management and Policy. He was Executive Vice President/CFO/COO at Howard University, Senior Vice President/CFO and Treasurer at Drexel University, Executive Vice…

President for Finance and Operations/Brigadier General at The Citadel and President at South Carolina State University. He is Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee of The Leatherback Trust and is responsible for overseeing financial aspects of its activities. He has other leadership experience in city, regional and federal government agencies.

Margaret Kruesi, Ph. D.

Secretary

Dr. Kruesi was a founding member of The Leatherback Trust in 2000. She earned her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and is an expert in folklore and folklife. She was a librarian in the rare book and manuscript section of the University of Pennsylvania Library where she was the archivist of the…

Marian Anderson collection. She then moved to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. where she was a librarian and cataloger in the American Folklife Center. She is Chairman of Folk Belief and Religious Folklife Section of the American Folklore Society. She has been active in developing the strategies used by The Leatherback Trust in conserving sea turtles in Costa Rica and in consolidating Las Baulas Park. She is a constant advocate for turtles, women and sustainability.

Louise Gund

Board Member

Louise Gund is an accomplished Broadway producer, environmental activist, and photographer who lives in Berkeley, California. She maintains a strong passion for storytelling that has inspired her career choices, and service within her community. She studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York, where she…

received a bachelor of fine arts. After graduation, she stayed in the city and worked as a public relations photographer with a focus on dance performances and off-Broadway productions. Later, Ms. Gund earned a master’s degree in holistic psychology.

Ms. Gund is a philanthropist and environmentalist. She is heavily involved in environmental activism working with a number of different organizations dedicated to keeping our air and water clean, protecting endangered animals, and preserving forests. She played a key role in the consolidation of Las Baulas Park through the purchase of land and in creation of the Goldring Gund Marine Biology Station at Playa Grande. She provides key advice in the development of The Leatherback Trust as a conservation organization.

Shaya Honarvar Honarvar, Ph.D.

Board Member

Dr. Honarvar is Director of the pacific Cooperative Studies Unit in the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Hawaii. She earned BS/MS degrees at Hogeschool van Utrecht, Faculteit Natuur en Techniek, The Netherlands, a M.Sc. at the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. at Drexel University.

She determined the effect of density of nesting on the hatchling success of olive ridley hatchlings and the microbial community in the sand of olive ridley nesting beaches. She led studies of leatherback turtle nesting on Bioko Island while a research associate at Indiana Purdue University at Fort Wayne. At the University of Hawaii she directs projects with over 300 employees awarded over $25,000,000 in funding for conservation of species and ecosystems in Hawaii. She has published dozens of scientific articles and mentored many undergraduate and graduate students. She has extensive experience in conservation in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Equatorial Guinea as well as the US.

Eduardo Carillo Jimenez, Ph.D.

Board Member

Dr. Carillo is an Académico in the Instituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre of the Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica. He is one of the world’s experts on jaguars and on the effects of tourists on racoons. He earned his undergraduate and MS degrees…

at the Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica and as a Fulbright Scholar his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts. He has published 56 scientific articles and numerous popular articles on conservation. He has also published several chapters in books and five books as well. He has carried out activities to support creation and management of protected areas throughout Central America.

Andrea Montero-Cordero, M.Sc.

Board Member

Ms. Montero earned her Bs and M.Sc. degrees in biology from the Universidad de Costa Rica. She has extensive experience in conservation having served as a consultant for the World bank, ProParques, and the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund. She has been senior conservation officer for Forever Costa Rica, Head of…

Education for the Organization for Tropical Studies, and Conservation Manager for Friends of Cocos Island. She has published several scientific articles and numerous technical reports.

Robert, JD Raymar, Esq.

Board Member

Mr. Raymar earned his undergraduate degree Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University and JD from Yale University Law School where he was editor of the Yale Law Review. He is a managing partner of Hellring Lindeman Goldstein & Siegal in Newark, NJ and is an active trial lawyer. He was a founding member of…

The Leatherback Trust and has provided guidance for its conservation activities, fund raising and international relations.

Vincent Saba, Ph.D.

Board Member

Dr. Saba earned his BS and MS degrees at Drexel University and his Ph.D. at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary. He is the lead Climate Scientist at NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center. He has published over 58 scientific articles on the biology and conservation of sea turtles…

and fishes. He conducts climate modeling on the effect of climate change on fish communities in the North Atlantic and sea turtles worldwide. A sought-after speaker he has spoken to groups ranging from the International Sea Turtle Society to grade schools. He directs over a $ 1 million in research funding. He has experience leading the research team at Playa Grande in Costa Rica and has participated in sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica for many years.

John Spotila, J. D.

Board Member

The Honorable John Spotila earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and his JD from Yale Law School. He is the CEO of Global Cause Foundation an NGO dedicated to saving giant pandas and the environment. He is the former Chief Executive Officer of R3i Solutions, LLC, a Washington D.C. based…

management consulting firm which excelled at process improvement and clear communication. For eight years, he served under President Clinton as General Counsel of the Small Business Administration and as Senate-confirmed Administrator of OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the White House. He then served as President and Chief Operating Officer of GTSI, a public company providing information technology to government. Mr. Spotila was a founding member of The Leatherback Trust and has provided guidance for all Trust activities since that time.

Randall Arauz, B.S.

Randall Arauz is an international famous marine conservationist. He earned his Ph.D. from Bangor University in Wales. He led the campaign to halt the practice of environmentally catastrophic shark finning in Costa Rica and won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2010. Dr. Arauz was one of the first Directors of Parque Nacional Las Baulas and founder of the environmental organization PRETOMA. Throughout his career he has been…

a constant advocate for sea turtles and sharks and has led the effort for sustainable fishing in Costa Rica, working on the boats, at the docks and in the courts to support that goal. He participated in a UN Convention of Migratory Species meeting as an official Costa Rican delegate and was instrumental in the election of Costa Rica as a member of a five-country commission tasked with drafting language for international cooperation for the protection of sharks. He continues to carry out conservation efforts on sea turtle nesting beaches and in the ocean.

Mason Hersey, MA

Mr. Hersey is a professional cameraman and videographer. He earned his BA at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada and his MA in Anthropology at the New School for Social Research in New York. He conducted research on island societies, the Arctic, Mesoamerica and the Northwest coast of North America. After a career in making such films as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Guardian, Ladder 49, Push, and Speed 2 as well as commercials, documentaries and…

music videos, he now teaches in the Palo Alto School District in California and does videography for the Bullis Charter School, Palo Alto High School and The Leatherback Trust. Mr. Hersey has documented the work of The Leatherback Trust at Playa Grande and work with school groups in Costa Rica. He is an advocate for students, turtles, and the environment.

Oscar Soule, Ph.D.

Dr. Soule earned his BS in Biology at Colorado College and his Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of Arizona. There he discovered important osmotic characteristics of the Sahuaro giant cactus. He was a postdoctoral fellow with David Gates at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis where he did groundbreaking research on the effect of the physical environment on plants and the thermoregulation of alligators.

He was a founding faculty member at The Evergreen State College in Olympia WA and later served as a Dean. His proudest achievement at Evergreen was his impact on students who have gone on to success after graduation. Those students include a Congressman and the Lieutenant Governor of Washington. A longtime Seattle Mariners fan he hopes they will succeed every year.

Chelsea Clyde-Brockway, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Purdue University Fort Wayne

Dr. Clyde-Brockway has been studying sea turtles with the Leatherback Trust since 2012. She earned her B.S. degree in Marine Biology from Sonoma State University and M.S./Ph.D. from Purdue University. Her research has…

focused on spatial ecology, foraging ecology, and ecophysiology of sea turtles, and she has conducted research in Central America and West Africa. In her career, she has acquired over $1,000,000 in funding, published dozens of scientific papers, and mentored undergraduates and graduate students, in addition to serving as a journal reviewer and chair/committee member for scientific conservation organizations such as the Herpetologists League and International Sea Turtle Society. She believes that effective science and conservation requires a combination of research, education, and service, and she has embodied this in her career.

Aliki Panagopoulou, Ph.D

Aliki addresses fisheries interactions with sea turtles through her research. As a Conservation Scientist for TLT, she is involved in implementing research and conservation…

programs on sea turtles and other marine megafauna species with emphasis in Costa Rica and the Mediterranean. Aliki has been involved in conservation since 1994, when she joined a sea turtle conservation project run by ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. Aliki is experienced in managing sea turtle conservation projects, compiling and implementing management policies for important sea turtle habitats and running collaborative programs with fishermen. Currently she is writing the Action Plan for the Protection of sea turtles in Greece. She received her Ph.D. in environmental science from Drexel University in Philadelphia. She has been a member of IUCN’s Marine Turtle Specialist Group since 2005 and was appointed Regional Vice Co-chair for the Mediterranean in 2017. She has served in the Board of Directors of the International Sea Turtle Society and the National Marine Park of Zakynthos and is also a member of ARCHELON’s Scientific Committee. Aliki is a recipient of the International Sea Turtle Society’s President’s Award in recognition of her lifetime accomplishment toward the study and conservation of sea turtles.

Pilar “Bibi” Santidrián Tomillo, Ph. D.

Bibi liaises with all scientists to meet research objectives, ensure strong implementation in the field, and develop field protocols to maximize conservation outcomes.

Bibi obtained her bachelor degree in Biology at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. She holds an MPhil from University of Wales Swansea, U.K. and a Ph.D. from Drexel University. Bibi has worked with sea turtles for 17 years and has been part of the Leatherback Trust team since 2000. Her main research lines are on the population biology, nesting ecology and conservation biology of leatherback turtles. Bibi and Dr. Gabriela Blanco started the sea turtle project at Cabuyal in January 2011. In 2013, she received a Marie Curie Fellowship to study the effect of climate change on sea turtles at the Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies.

Elizabeth Solano Pacheco

Elizabeth has served as TLT since 2009, using her legal training and international relations background to coordinate advocacy work for the conservation of the…

marine resources, the protection of marine turtles and the consolidation of Las Baulas National Park. Elizabeth is an enthusiastic lawyer with a degree from the University of Costa Rica. For the past decade she has worked on environmental issues with a special interest in marine and coastal protection, including a position in the Legal Department in the Environmental Ministry’s National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). Elizabeth is TLT’s primary liaison with the Costa Rican Government, the Congress and other NGOs in addition to coordinating projects with community leaders. Elizabeth is also in charge of our staff, budgets, logistics and administration in Costa Rica. Her main objective is to work in alliance with authorities to achieve our common goals in conservation!

Veronica Valverde Cantillo

Science Director of Equipo Tora Carey

Veronica Valverde Cantillo has been the Project/Science coordinator at Cabuyal for some time and is now a full time employee of TLT. Can we add her to the team under Bibi. Her title is Science Coordinator Costa Rica and Project Coordinator at Cabuyal. She is also the Science Director of Equipo Tora Carey.

Tera Dornfeld

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Stephen J. Morreale, Ph.D.

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Dora Pinou, Ph.D.

Pamela Plotkin, Ph.D.

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Richard Reina, Ph.D.

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Nathan Robinson, Ph.D.

Nathan supervises research for the long-term Playa Grande monitoring project and the Earthwatch volunteer program.

Nathan has been working with sea turtles since 2007 and in this time he has worked in Costa Rica, Greece, South Africa, and the USA. Like an olive ridley sea turtle, Nathan is nomadic (and likes to dance). His research focuses on investigating how large marine species, such as sea turtles, respond to oceanographic processes. He is also very interested in applying novel technologies to uncover the secrets of marine megafauna and develop effective conservation management strategies. Nathan holds a Ph.D in Biology from Purdue University, USA, and a Masters in Marine Biology from Southampton University, UK.

Myriam Norori Gadea

Jana Williams

Laura Jean Rosales

Station and Community Outreach Coordinator

Former Staff

Gisselle Vargas

Jesús Suarez

Playa Grande Field Team

COSTA RICA

Ruth Doñate Ordóñez

Ruth received her BSc in Marine Sciences at the University of Barcelona, Spain. During that time, she developed an interest in marine conservation, marine ecology, and oceanography, and she participated in the HeatMed Project to study the effect of marine heat waves on the reproduction of a Mediterranean octocoral. In 2022 she started her MSc in Marine Biology at the University of Algarve in Portugal. During her MSc, she focused on ecological modeling and marine megafauna and started her master’s Thesis, which she is still working on, looking for the factors that influence the diving behavior of juvenile green turtles in very shallow waters. She completed two internships in the Netherlands at the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research to study the diversity and abundance of deep-sea environments in the Norwegian Trench and Whittard Canyon (Ireland) through video analysis. She also volunteered in the Life Conceptu Maris Project by monitoring and identifying cetaceans in the Western Mediterranean. She is interested in the marine conservation of sea turtles and cetaceans, their ecology, and how oceanography affects them. Ruth is excited to join the Playa Grande team, where she will have the opportunity to learn about sea turtles and contribute to their conservation

COSTA RICA

Jessica Burt

Hi everyone! My name is Jess, and I am from Santa Barbara, California. I recently received my Bachelor of Science in Marine Sciences and have had the privilege to work with a plethora of marine animals including invertebrates, mammals, and turtles. While most of my field work has been with wildlife rehabilitation, I am very excited to work with healthier animals and contribute to the conservation of these nesting turtles and their hatchlings. In my free time, I love being outdoors and can be found either hiking, camping, or painting. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and working together in Playa Grande!

COSTA RICA

Ellen Broadfield

Ellen grew up in Southern England and graduated from the University of Southampton in 2021 with a BSc in Zoology. This developed her interest in conservation and led to her working with Loggerhead Sea Turtles, in Kefalonia, Greece. She has since spent her summers at this project helping to locate, protect and relocate nests as well as tagging and measuring nesting females at night. At the beginning of 2024, Ellen worked with Pacific Green and Olive Ridley Sea Turtles in the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, so is excited to be returning to the country to expand her knowledge further.

COSTA RICA

Brendan Harris

Hello, I’m Brendan Harris, I’m 23 from Hanover, Massachusetts and I recently graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Wildlife Ecology with a double concentration in Conservation Biology and Science Management. I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and skiing. This recent summer I had the ability to study different predators at a South African nature reserve. During my undergrad, I was a field technician for a PhD project on the Blue-spotted Salamander. Along with volunteering for various studies, collecting data on American Woodcocks, Bog Lemmings, and different amphibians.

COSTA RICA

Holly White

Holly has a Bsc in Biological Sciences from the University of Exeter and has just completed her MSc in Ecology and Data Science from UCL. Her research project focussed on sea turtle resting behaviours. Holly also has worked in sea turtle rehabilitation, in Australia, and has experience in marine conservation more broadly across Europe and the Caribbean. She’s now eager to be involved in the Leatherback Trust’s work and to experience her first nesting season.

COSTA RICA

Carolina Santoro Perez

Program Coordinator

Carolina is a 27-year-old half-Italian, half-Spanish ethologist, graduated in April 2022 at the University of Turin, Italy. Her studies have so far focused on jaguar behaviour using camera traps in northwestern Costa Rica, where she had the opportunity to work for a documentary alongside well-known personalities such as Brian Moghari and Filipe DeAndrade, popular for their documentaries and efforts for wildlife conservation. During her experience in Costa Rica, she didn’t just focus on studying jaguars, but she also studied their main prey’s ecology and biology. This gave her the opportunity to get close to the world of sea turtle conservation. Carolina is a positive and solar person with a strong passion for wildlife conservation that makes her able to involve the people around her with a disarming enthusiasm.

Previous Field Team

COSTA RICA

Lily Anderson

Lily grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated from Indiana University in 2020 with a B.Sc. in Biology. Lily worked as an organic vegetable farmer in Oregon and environmental educator in Maryland, developing a passion for sustainable agriculture and education. Recently, Lily worked four influential seasons teaching 4th-12th grade students as a marine science instructor at Catalina Island Marine Institute. Lily enjoyed connecting kids of all ages with the ocean and spending her free time swimming, diving and trail-running. Lily is interested in coastal and kelp ecosystem ecology and conservation, and engaging with communities in conservation efforts. This winter, Lily will begin a position in Panamá as a community conservation scientist.

COSTA RICA

YiWynn Chan

M.S. Research Assistant

YiWynn received her B.A in Biology, Environmental Studies, and Race and Ethnic Studies at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. She is currently completing her M.S in biology where she is researching heavy metal concentrations in different sea turtle populations. She is interested in marine conservation where she combines her passions for nature, adventures, languages, and cultures. YiWynn has worked on a variety of marine projects including cold-water corals, green mussels, intertidal biodiversity, and sea turtles. Outside the marine world, she has engaged in international projects spanning Malaysia, Japan, the Netherlands, United States and Costa Rica, among others. After graduating, YiWynn would like to work in the realms of marine conservation and science communication through utilizing her strong command in languages and intercultural understanding. YiWynn is excited to join the team at Playa Grande where she will have the opportunity to learn more about sea turtles, contribute to sea turtle conservation, outreach, and education.

COSTA RICA

Ashley Chase

Field Assistant

Ashley received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Central Florida in August of 2023 with a focus in wildlife conservation. She first became interested in sea turtle conservation in 2008 through volunteering with turtle patrol in Placida, Florida. In university she interned for the UCF Marine Turtle Research Group where she worked with Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback sea turtles. In Fall 2022, she was hired on as a field technician for the UCF MTRG and continued through Fall 2023. She is excited to join The Leatherback Trust’s team of field biologists for the 2023-2024 season!

COSTA RICA

Davis Coffey

Davis Coffey has deep interests in marine ecology, sustainable agriculture, and citizen science. After getting his bachelor’s, he taught marine biology to elementary, middle, and high school students on Catalina Island, California, where he became enamoured with kelp restoration, free diving, and long-distance swimming. After working at The Leatherback Trust, Davis will serve as a conservation biologist and environmental educator in Panama for a two-year employment with the Peace Corps. After that, he hopes to continue to make science more accessible and digestible for local communities.

COSTA RICA

Daniel Cutrim

Field Assistant

Hello, everyone! My name is Daniel Cutrim, and I am from Brazil. I am a first-generation biologist, and my BSc. took place in both Brazil and the United States as part of the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP). During my time in the U.S., I spent one academic year at Washington State University and got an internship at the University of Florida. I finished my MSc. in Animal Biology in 2022, so I am constantly involved with new research adventures until I decide to apply for grad school again. I have been working with stranded turtles for 8 years now and recently started to research nesting green turtles in Tortuguero. I am extremely excited to be part of the Leatherback Trust team and to help bring awareness to such a magnificent species!

COSTA RICA

Sierra Hagen

Field Assistant

Sierra recently graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science and minors in Conservation Biology and Community Engagement from the University of California, Los Angeles. She grew up in Northern California where she developed a passion for the outdoors and spent a lot of her free time hiking. She has previous field biology experience working with the Oregon Silverspot Butterfly, and studying algae off the coast of French Polynesia. She’s excited to get experience working with sea turtles during her time with The Leatherback Trust, and hopes that this will prepare her to pursue a graduate degree in a related topic.

COSTA RICA

Megan Harvey

Field Assistant

Megan received her BSc in Marine Biology and MSc in Marine Conservation at The University of Plymouth, England. During this time, she developed a keen interest in sea turtle conservation, which led to her becoming an intern at a sea turtle conservation project in Greece during the summer of 2020, helping in the conservation efforts of Mediterranean Loggerheads. Over the last two years, she has worked for the same organisation, protecting nests from predators, and helping to educate tourists in conservation efforts in the Mediterranean. Megan is excited to learn more about the sea turtle species that nest in Playa Grande and share this knowledge with visiting school groups.

COSTA RICA

Trevor Proctor

Field Manager

Trevor is the field manager at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station and is responsible for overseeing data collection and organizing team activities. He also holds a position as a research assistant for Purdue University Fort Wayne’s (PFW) Center of Marine Biology and Conservation and worked as a data management fellow for the University of Hawai‘i’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. Trevor received his B.S. in biology, with a concentration in ecology and evolution, from Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) in 2020. He has since continued at PFW, working on completing his M.S. under the supervision of Dr. Frank Paladino. Trevor is interested in ecology with a focus on herpetofauna and marine life. His previous work focused largely on freshwater turtles and snakes in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Now, he is focused on the nesting ecology of leatherback sea turtles. His work has lead him to Costa Rica, Equatorial Guinea, Colombia, Hawai‘i, and the Florida keys. Ultimately, Trevor aims to use conservation ecology to support local communities through science based protections of biodiversity.

Partners

Partnerships allow us to promote innovative approaches to conservation. Our partners support our timely research and meaningful action to protect sea turtles around the globe.

Milestones

Turtle biologists Jim Spotila and Frank Paladino founded The Leatherback Trust in 2000 to engage local communities in protection of nesting beaches critical to saving leatherback turtles. We continue to safeguard nesting beaches and also combat threats to sea turtles in the oceans.

Entry kiosk marks park entrance

Through a donation made by TLT, MINAE opens the information booth that marks the entrance to the National Park.

September 6, 2024

Drs. Spotila and Santidrián Tomillo publish an edited volume dedicated to leatherbacks

Dr. James Spotila and Dr. Pilar Santidrián Tomillo’s edited volume Biology and Conservation of Leatherback Turtles is released.

April 1, 2016

Longline fisheries impact turtles

Derek Dapp, Randall Arauz, Michael O’Connor and James Spotila publish article documenting extensive capture of olive ridley turtles by Costa Rican longline fishery.

December 6, 2015

Expanding partnerships

We expanded our educational outreach program within local communities.

December 5, 2015

Land gift supports conservation at Playa Grande

We receive a donation of new land behind Playa Grande to protect highlands and dry forest habitat near Las Baulas National Park.

December 1, 2015

Development impacts on Playa Grande documented

John Roe, Patricia Cline and Frank Paladino publish article documenting environmental impacts of beachfront development at Las Baulas National Park.

August 6, 2015

Lost Years project findings published

Our researchers and collaborating scientists convene the workshop “Tagging through the Stages: Technical and Ecological Challenges in Observing Life Histories through Biologging” at the Biologging IV Symposium in Hobart, Tasmania on March 16, 2011. Proceedings from the workshop, including 10 peer-reviewed articles were published in … Read More

June 21, 2013

Eastern Pacific hatchling highways published

Our researchers and collaborating scientists publish The Lost Years Project research findings describing oceanographic influences on hatchling dispersal from Playa Grande and other Mesoamerican nesting beaches in Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences.

February 6, 2013

Leatherback Trust scientists lead long-term studies

Long-term studies of sea turtle adults, eggs and hatchlings continue on Playa Grande. Our scientists publish 16 scientific articles on their findings.

January 7, 2013

Dr. Spotila shares extraordinary stories

Dr. James Spotila publishes “Saving Sea Turtles: Extraordinary Stories from the Battle against Extinction“.

March 8, 2012

Bacteria poses risks for hatchlings

A potentially lethal bacteria is discovered on hatchlings at Playa Grande.

February 15, 2012

Congress maintains Las Baulas National Park status

Congress defers action on the proposed law to downgrade Las Baulas National Park to a wildlife refuge.

February 14, 2012

Biodiversity studies at Las Baulas National Park

The Leatherback Trust acquires new land for Las Baulas National Park and our scientists expand research efforts within the park to include crocodiles, fish and snails.

January 7, 2012

Costa Rican voters support conservation

A national poll shows that 89% of Costa Rican voters oppose the proposed law.

December 7, 2011

Costa Ricans say no, the Park can’t go!

Costa Ricans demonstrate support for Las Baulas National Park. Students in front of Congress to protest the proposed law to downgrade Las Baulas National Park.

November 7, 2011

Standing up for Las Baulas National Park!

Environmental groups in Costa Rica and around the world show their support for Las Baulas National Park.

February 5, 2011

No way San José!

Environmentally conscious members of Congress members speak out to oppose the President’s plan to downgrade Las Baulas National Park to a wildlife refuge.

January 7, 2011

TLT doubles down-

The Leatherback Trust initiates “Salvemos Baulas” campaign.

December 7, 2010

President Arias proposes a downgrade

Court orders stop to all building in 500-meter buffer zone of Las Baulas National Park. President Arias proposes a new law to downgrade Las Baulas National Park to a wildlife refuge.

January 31, 2010

Construction declared illegal

All building permits in Las Baulas National Park are ruled invalid.

December 7, 2009

Court validates the Park

Costa Rican Constitutional Court rules that Las Baulas National Park is valid and orders Minister of the Environment to acquire land within the boundaries.

November 7, 2009

Court rules in favor of the Park

Legal appeals to the Constitutional Court of Costa Rica result in the first of a series of rulings supporting Las Baulas National Park.

September 7, 2009

TLT team threatened

Additional members of The Leatherback Trust team receive threats.

December 7, 2008

Arias thwarts Park consolidation efforts

President Arias stops land acquisition for Las Baulas National Park.

November 7, 2008

Leatherback turtle biology journal issue

Frank Paladino and colleagues edit second major journal issue on leatherback turtle biology.

October 7, 2008

Developers threaten TLT leader

Frank Paladino receives death threats from developers.

December 7, 2007

President Oscar Arias takes office

Oscar Arias elected President of Costa Rica on “Peace with Nature” campaign.

November 7, 2007

Moore support for the Park

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and an anonymous donor put up $4 million for land acquisition in Las Baulas National Park.

September 7, 2006

Dr. James Spotila publishes sea turtle book

James Spotila publishes “Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to their Biology, Behavior and Conservation.”

December 7, 2005

Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station established

Generous donors enable the Leatherback Trust to acquire property on Playa Grande and establish Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station.

November 7, 2005

24th International Sea Turtle Symposium

Frank Paladino receives death threats from developers.

September 7, 2005

Sea Turtle Festival disrupted

Developers disrupt Sea Turtle Festival, attack The Leatherback Trust and try to discredit our scientists as a means to fight acquisition of land for Las Baulas National Park.

July 7, 2005

Nesting studies at Playa Grande commence

Dr. Pilar “Bibi” Santidrián Tomillo begins long-term studies of eggs and hatchlings on Playa Grande.

December 7, 2004

Community celebrates sea turtles

Elizabeth Vélez and the National Park, with support from TLT, create the Baulas Festival near the end of nesting season to raise community awareness.

November 7, 2004

Donors make a difference!

With donor support, we are able to fund conservation efforts at Las Baulas National Park. Our scientists publish four more scientific articles on leatherbacks and other sea turtles.

September 7, 2003

21st International Sea Turtle Symposium

The Leatherback Trust hosts the 21st International Sea Turtle Symposium in Philadelphia.

September 7, 2002

Alarm sounded: Pacific leatherbacks face extinction!

James Spotila, Frank Paladino and colleagues publish major article in Nature showing leatherback turtles in the Pacific Ocean face extinction..

December 7, 2001

We become a 501(c)3

James Spotila and Frank Paladino register The Leatherback Trust as a 501(c)3 non-profit.

November 7, 2001

The Park gets a new Administrator

Marine biologist Rotney Piedra takes over the administration of Las Baulas National Park and confronts the challenges of consolidation with a unified group of park rangers.

December 7, 2000

Development pressures mount

Construction continues inside Las Baulas National Park and more plots are designated for future real estate development.

November 7, 2000

Our researchers make important discoveries

Students complete important studies of leatherbacks at Las Baulas National Park: Barbara Bell on egg development, Jennifer Crim on multiple paternity, and Dana Drake on temperature control over hatchling emergence.

October 7, 2000

A cool finding

David Penick publishes article showing that leatherback turtle muscle metabolism is temperature independent.

December 7, 1999

A decent proposal

Frank Paladino and James Spotila request support from major conservation organizations to acquire land and protect Las Baulas National Park from development.

October 7, 1999

Blurred lines embolden builders

Under additional development pressure and confusion over legal language, authorities fail to enforce boundaries of Las Baulas National Park and stop beachfront construction projects.

September 7, 1998

Nature publishes article by our researchers

Dr. Stephen Morreale and scientists from The Leatherback Trust publish an article in Nature positing a migration corridor for Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles nesting at Las Baulas National Park.

December 7, 1997

Las Baulas leatherbacks make a splash

Publication of first major scientific journal volume on leatherback biology and conservation (Chelonian Conservation Biology 2) with articles from studies on leatherbacks conducted in Las Baulas National Park.

November 7, 1997

Park declared permanent

Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica passes a law to solidify Las Baulas National Park as a permanent entity.

September 7, 1996

A hot discovery

Christopher Binckley discovers that leatherback turtles have temperature dependent sex determination in the egg. Findings later published in the scientific journal Copeia.

December 7, 1995

Clinton speaks out

President Clinton expresses his support for Las Baulas National Park via the U.S. State Department.

November 7, 1995

First attempt to downgrade the park

New Minister of the Environment tries to change the Las Baulas National Park into a wildlife refuge to allow development on the beach. Once revealed by the press, public outcry stops the plan.

September 7, 1995

Improved guide training at Playa Grande

José Quirós becomes Park Director and further improves training for guides.

September 7, 1994

Guidebooks produced

Cooperative agreement signed between Drexel University and Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment. Professor Albert List produces guidebooks for estuary, forest and beach habitat.

December 7, 1993

Turtles and tourists together

Frank Paladino works with park guides to set guidelines on managing tourists and protecting turtles.

July 7, 1993

Park HQ built

Students from Drexel University help build Las Baulas National Park headquarters.

June 7, 1993

From poachers to protectors

Randall Arauz becomes Park Director and converts poachers into ecotourism guides.

January 7, 1993

Earthwatch lends support

Frank Paladino begins leatherback project at Playa Grande with support from Earthwatch Institute.

December 7, 1992

Las Baulas Park established by decree

Presidential Decree established Las Baulas National Park. María Teresa Koberg Gutiérrez becomes first Park Director and begins involving local communities in conservation.

May 7, 1992

Sea turtle champions in charge

Rafael Calderón elected President of Costa Rica. He appoints Mario Boza as Vice Minister of the Environment and María Teresa Koberg Gutiérrez as Director of National Sea Turtle Program.

December 7, 1991

Park recommended

Dr. Peter Pritchard, Luis Elizondo, Carlos Rodríguez Santana, Nayudel Guadamuz Rosales, Esperanza Rodríguez, Gerardo Rosales, y Quírico Jiménez write the report “Las Baulas of Guanacaste, a new National Park for Costa Rica” recommending formation of a park to protect the turtles.

July 7, 1991

Biologists arrive at the beach

Dr. Frank Paladino and Dr. James Spotila begin studies of leatherback biology on Playa Grande and Playa Langosta.

December 7, 1990

Changing minds

Doña Esperanza Rodríguez, matriarch of a poaching family, becomes a turtle champion.

November 7, 1990

Scout’s honor

Boy scouts from Costa Rica and Minnesota protect the turtles.

January 7, 1990

The sea turtle campaign begins

María Teresa Koberg Gutiérrez begins campaign to save sea turtles and stop development of Playa Grande.

September 7, 1989

Big plans for Playa Grande

Developers plan to build 300 houses and luxury resort for 5000 people with casino, nightclub, hotel, condominiums and yacht club on Playa Grande.

September 7, 1988

Turtle rodeo at Playa Grande

The 5-year “Wild West” period at Playa Grande starts: People ride turtles and take flash pictures, while poachers take all the eggs.

September 7, 1985

Leatherbacks in Playa Grande appear on the international scientific map

Renowned sea turtle expert, Dr. Peter Pritchard, together with Maria Teresa Koberg and Nayudel Guadamuz, biologist from the University of Costa Rica, highlighted the importance of the leatherbacks that nest in Playa Grande, a beach in the North Pacific of Costa Rica.

September 7, 1982

Fellowship

The Leatherback Trust (TLT) is launching five fellowships that will be awarded to TLT research assistants demonstrating excellence and extraordinary commitment in their duties studying and protecting sea turtles- at Playa Grande, Playa Cabuyal or other research sites. To be eligible for one of these fellowships, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in biology or related field, demonstrate exemplary commitment in conservation, collaboration, and outreach while working, and stay for the full agreed term of work at TLT projects. Recipients will be named TLT Fellows, will receive a certificate and their award will be posted on the TLT website and social media. If unpaid the Fellow will also receive a $1,000 USD payment at the end of their term.

The Dr. Loretta D. Spotila fellowship is named in honor of Dr. Loretta D. Spotila, a devoted conservationist and founding member of The Leatherback Trust . Laurie earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from The Roswell Park Institute and State University of New York at Buffalo and discovered the origin of replication of the SV 40 virus. Her seminal research set the stage for many advances in molecular genetics that followed. She played a key role in the establishment of Parque Nacional Las Baulas and in the establishment and early success of The Leatherback Trust. Her interest and devotion to sea turtle biology and conservation was critical to the preservation of the sea turtle nesting beach at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. The researcher awarded this fellowship will hold the title of the Dr. Loretta D. Spotila Fellow of The Leatherback Trust.

The Dr. Mario Boza fellowship is named in honor of Dr. Mario Boza, the co-founder of the National Parks of Costa Rica and a founding member of The Leatherback Trust. Mario received his M.S. in Forestry in 1969 from the Inter-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences, and received three Doctor of Science Honoris Causa degrees from Drexel University (1992), the University for International Cooperation, Costa Rica (2002) and Purdue University (2002). Mario was a devoted conservationist who worked tirelessly for the National Parks and received many international awards in recognition of his leadership. As Vice Minister of the Environment, he first established Parque Nacional Las Baulas through a Presidential Decree and then ensured that it was protected forever by Law, working every day thereafter to consolidate and improve it. Without Mario Boza there would be no Parque Nacional Las Baulas and no protection for nesting sea turtles at Playa Grande. He continues to be an example for anyone who seeks to conserve nature. The researcher awarded this fellowship will hold the title of Dr. Mario Boza Fellow of The Leatherback Trust.

The Dr. Susan S. Kilham fellowship is named in honor of Dr. Susan S. Kilham, a longtime supporter of The Leatherback Trust and a devoted conservationist. Susan earned a Ph.D. in Biology from Duke University and served as a faculty member at the University of Michigan and Drexel University. She was a leader in the field of aquatic ecology and co-discovered the role of nutrient limitation in controlling the growth of algae. She was a dedicated supporter of women scientists and trained many graduate students in ecology. She was devoted to conservation of marine organisms and their ecosystems and a strong supporter of Parque Nacional Las Baulas, Costa Rica. The researcher awarded this fellowship will hold the title of Dr. Susan Kilham Fellow of The Leatherback Trust.

The Heather C. Bailey fellowship is named in honor of Heather C. Bailey (1971-2023) who was a life-long lover of the outdoors. Heather earned a B.S in Nursing. As a flight nurse she saved many lives during her years evacuating and treating patients in life-saving helicopters. She continued as a role model and a strong force in nursing throughout her life. Heather loved the ocean and all its creatures, including sea turtles. After she passed away, the Panama City Beach Turtle Watch team named a nesting green sea turtle tagged on their beach in 2023 “Heather” in honor of Heather Bailey. The researcher awarded this fellowship will hold the title of Heather C. Bailey Fellow of The Leatherback Trust.

The Dr. Margaret Kruesi fellowship is named in honor of Dr. Margaret (Maggie) Kruesi, a lifelong lover of turtles and the environment.Maggie was a founding member of The Leatherback Trust and has served on the Board of Directors for 20 years. . Maggie earned a Ph.D. in Folklore and Folklife from the University of Pennsylvania and was a staff member of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for many years. A Master Naturalist and expert in botany as well as folklore, she has been a driving force in the preservation of Playa Grande and the protection of leatherback and other sea turtles nesting there. She also supports the TLT’s local reforestation efforts and ecological studies at Playa Grande. She continues to visit the beach and count turtle eggs whenever she is in Costa Rica. The researcher awarded this fellowship will hold the title of Dr. Margaret Kruesi Fellow of The Leatherback Trust.

Congratulations to the 2024 TLT fellowship recipients.

Overview
Team
Partners
Milestones
Fellowship Opportunity

About

Mission Statement

The mission of The Leatherback Trust is to protect leatherback turtles, other endangered sea turtles, freshwater turtles and their ecosystems through conservation, research, management and education.

Goals and Activities

Team

Our organization is run by a dedicated team of researchers and professionals advancing sound science and protecting turtles through respectful, collaborative actions.

James R. Spotila, Ph.D

Chairman of the Board

Frank V. Paladino, Ph. D.

President

Harold W. Avery, Ph. D.

Vice President for Ecology

Thomas J. Elzey, MBA

Treasurer

Margaret Kruesi, Ph. D.

Secretary

Louise Gund

Board Member

Shaya Honarvar Honarvar, Ph.D.

Board Member

Eduardo Carillo Jimenez, Ph.D.

Board Member

Andrea Montero-Cordero, M.Sc.

Board Member

Education for the Organization for Tropical Studies, and Conservation Manager for Friends of Cocos Island. She has published several scientific articles and numerous technical reports.

Robert, JD Raymar, Esq.

Board Member

The Leatherback Trust and has provided guidance for its conservation activities, fund raising and international relations.

Vincent Saba, Ph.D.

Board Member

John Spotila, J. D.

Board Member

Randall Arauz, B.S.

Mason Hersey, MA

Oscar Soule, Ph.D.

Chelsea Clyde-Brockway, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Purdue University Fort Wayne

Aliki Panagopoulou, Ph.D

Aliki addresses fisheries interactions with sea turtles through her research. As a Conservation Scientist for TLT, she is involved in implementing research and conservation…

Pilar “Bibi” Santidrián Tomillo, Ph. D.

Bibi liaises with all scientists to meet research objectives, ensure strong implementation in the field, and develop field protocols to maximize conservation outcomes.

Elizabeth Solano Pacheco

Elizabeth has served as TLT since 2009, using her legal training and international relations background to coordinate advocacy work for the conservation of the…

Veronica Valverde Cantillo

Science Director of Equipo Tora Carey