About Us

The CURMA Model

At CURMA, we believe in a world where our oceans are healthy and thriving. Our mission is to work towards sea turtle conservation as a catalyst to inspire people through education, advocacy, and community building to take action toward a more sustainable future for our oceans while empowering individuals to live sustainably.

The Core Values of the organization are:

  • Community-driven Conservation
    We believe in the power of communities to come together towards a common goal of sea turtle conservation, guided by the collaborative and supportive mentality of sea turtles.
  • Resilience in the Face of Challenges
    We are inspired by the perseverance and resilience of sea turtles in overcoming obstacles to reach their nesting sites, and strive to embody these qualities in our own efforts.
  • Perseverance for Lasting Change
    We are committed to persevering in our efforts to protect sea turtles and their habitats, just like sea turtle hatchlings who persist in reaching the ocean.
  • Empathy for All Life
    We value respect, care, and understanding for all living beings, and are particularly inspired by the “turtle mentality” who wait for each other and help each other to emerge from the nest.
  • Stewardship for a Thriving Future
    We take responsibility for protecting the planet.

Driven by our core values, we aim to inspire care in action through the CURMA model. The aim of the model is to encourage a sense of responsibility and action among local communities and beyond. Hence, the programs and partnerships are nature-based and community-centered with a focus on fostering care for the environment through public and private partnerships.

Our Programs

Sea Turtle Conservation

Our key initiative is safeguarding and monitoring sea turtle nesting sites. Working with former poachers who have now converted to sea turtle patrollers, we conduct nightly patrols, manage hatcheries, and monitor nesting sites daily to protect these endangered species during their reproductive cycles from both natural and man-made threats.

Rescue and Rehabilitation

As man-made threats continue to escalate, more turtles are falling victim to issues like sea turtle bycatch and plastic ingestion. In response, we have integrated rescue and rehabilitation efforts into our initiatives to aid these turtles in their recovery process.

Sea Turtle Conservation and Education Center

The main objective of the conservation and education center is to function as a dynamic learning hub. With a primary focus on sea turtles and their conservation, our ultimate aim is to offer visitors a memorable and impactful experience that inspires them to actively support and contribute to the efforts.

Education and Awareness

To raise awareness in communities, especially among youth, we conduct seminars, training workshops, and campaigns focused on highlighting the importance of sea turtles, the threats they face, and what actions we as human beings can take.

Waste Management

CURMA aims to keep coastlines clean by conducting regular cleanups, preventing inland pollution from reaching the ocean, and exploring partnerships for waste recycling/upcycling.

Coastal Reforestation

In safeguarding sea turtles, it’s imperative to safeguard their habitat. Our efforts extend beyond the mere protection of sea turtle habitats; we strive to enhance coastal areas to benefit not only the turtles but also the environment of coastal communities. To achieve this, we work with diverse groups to enhance and preserve coastal forests.

Ridge to Reef Experience

The Ridge to Reef Experience immerses participants in holistic conservation, blending coastal turtle conservation with upland reforestation efforts. Activities include coastal cleanups, hatchery visits, and sea conservation workshops, paired with upland hikes, forest bathing, and native tree planting, connecting ecosystems from ridge to reef.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The conservation of sea turtles and their habitat cannot be achieved by a single person, group, organization, or region alone. Therefore, we have partnered up with various sectors of communities to address the threats faced by sea turtles in a holistic approach.

Help us protect sea turtles and our future together.

Your support will help our vital work of protecting sea turtles and our communities.

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