More Turtles. Less Plastic.

Our mission is to protect and restore healthy environments.

Sea Turtles Forever (STF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to the conservation of marine turtles and the protection of their nesting and foraging habitats. Since 2002, STF has led conservation operations in Punta Pargos, a small coastal town in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica known for its sea turtle nesting beaches (and great surf). By hiring the local residents of Punta Pargos to patrol nesting beaches at night, STF creates jobs in the rural community and educates locals about sea turtle conservation. Together, STF and the Punta Pargos community are able to safely conserve and hatch over 11,000 baby sea turtles every year.

With the rise in global plastic production and the inadequate plastic recycling infrastructure in many parts of the world, many sea turtle nesting beaches have fallen victim to marine plastic debris landfall. Microplastics (small pieces of eroded plastic) are the most toxic of all, absorbing high concentrations of PCBs and other harmful chemicals from the ocean. In response, STF’s Microplastic Removal Team has developed a static charge filtration screen technology to easily remove microplastic debris from sand. With your support, STF is leading a global initiative to clean up beaches worldwide. 

Our mantra, “More Turtles. Less Plastic.” is a vision we believe will lead to a healthier ecosystem for all marine life. Join us in our effort to revitalize the planet.

Our Programs

In 1998, Marc and Rachel Ward, U.S. visitors to Punta Pargos, Costa Rica, became aware of massive poaching of sea turtle eggs. Read about the origins of STF and how to participate in the ongoing Costa Rica turtle conservation program.

cannon beach microplastics cleanup

Learn about the harmful effects of marine microplastics. Get involved. Join Blue Wave, STF’s Marine Microplastic Debris Removal Team, or learn how to buy a screen and start a program in your local area.

Each year, STF conducts research and protects endangered nesting sea turtles near Playa Negra, Costa Rica. Your adoption of a nesting turtle will help STF protect their eggs from poachers.

Our Latest Activities

Read about our upcoming events and how to participate.

Volunteers are making a difference around the world. Read about STF in the news.

We’re active on social media. Follow us on Facebook.

Volunteers worldwide are using
static charge filtration screens
to clean up ocean beaches.

Learn more about toxic microplastics and static charge filtration systems.
Join the Sea Turtles Forever-Blue Wave volunteer team in Oregon,
or order a screen and initiate a clean-up effort in your local area.

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