Cozumel Calls for Volunteers to Protect Sea Turtles in 2026 Nesting Season

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — The Fundación de Parques y Museos de Cozumel (FPMC) has launched an open call for volunteers to join its 2026 sea turtle protection program, as the nesting season approaches. The initiative aims to strengthen surveillance, protection, and environmental education efforts on the island’s beaches.

Rafael Chacón Díaz, director of the Center for Conservation and Environmental Education, announced that all interested individuals must attend a mandatory training session on Friday, May 8, at 5:00 p.m. The course will be held at the center, located in the island’s industrial zone, and will cover proper nest management, surveillance protocols, and turtle protection measures.

Volunteers will participate in nighttime beach patrols, nest identification and protection, relocation of nests to safe areas when necessary, and awareness campaigns for tourists and locals. These tasks are critical on Cozumel, one of the most important nesting sites in the Mexican Caribbean, where species such as loggerhead and green sea turtles reproduce.

FPMC General Director Juanita Alonso Marrufo emphasized that the program goes beyond environmental protection, fostering a culture of collective responsibility and respect for nature. She noted that community involvement strengthens social fabric and promotes a more environmentally conscious citizenry.

The program is part of the Nuevo Acuerdo por el Bienestar y Desarrollo de Quintana Roo, promoted by Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, which encourages active public participation in environmental care.

Each year, the nesting season poses logistical and environmental challenges due to increased tourism and climate change effects. The volunteer program has proven successful, rescuing thousands of nests and boosting hatchling survival rates. The FPMC invites young people, families, and all citizens to join this unique opportunity to contribute to conservation and witness one of the Caribbean’s most fascinating natural processes.