Saving Sea Turtles while reducing plastic waste in the oceans

An innovative program will help save sea turtles while reducing plastic waste found in the ocean

Did you know that there is an estimated 75 million tons of plastic waste found in the ocean? This is a conservative number and unfortunately, the level of plastic found in our oceans is growing every day. Without being properly removed, plastic can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, wreaking havoc on humans and our planet alike.  

In coastal communities in developing countries, plastic waste is often burned which is bad for human health and the planet, and is rarely recycled. These coastal communities also face conservation challenges including plastic pollution, climate change, and illegal hunting and collection of wildlife including sea turtles. 

“From leatherbacks to loggerheads, six of the seven species of sea turtles are threatened or endangered at the hand of humans. Sadly, the fact is that they face many dangers as they travel the seas — including accidental capture and entanglement in fishing gear, the loss of nesting and feeding sites to coastal development, poaching, and ocean pollution including plastic.”

— Sea Turtle Facts, SEE Turtles

An innovative program led by SEE Turtles and their partners is working to provide coastal communities in the Philippines, Ghana, and Colombia the resources they need to clean their beaches, reduce plastic pollution, and turn that waste into useful products that support local economies and conservation efforts.

In 2024, the ATCF granted $15,000 to three coastal communities in the Philippines, Ghana, and Columbia. This grant will fund recycling infrastructure, educational workshops, and cleanup activities that will protect sea turtles and benefit local communities economically.  

“Plastic pollution is a growing problem for ocean wildlife and coastal communities. This funding from the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund will support our partner’s efforts to clean up this waste and turn it into useful products that will support local economies and sea turtles, among other animals. This grant will be a huge help to reversing the tide of plastic waste in communities in Colombia, Ghana, and the Philippines.” -

Brad Nahill, President, SEE Turtles

To learn more about this grant, check out this post.

Saving Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Rare Tree-Climbing Lions

In Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, conservation efforts are underway to monitor and protect the remaining 39 tree-climbing lions

One of 39 remaining tree-climbing lions in The Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Scientists aren’t exactly sure why these lions started to climb trees but believe it could be to escape the heat or to get away from bothersome insects. If these lions disappear, the culture of tree-climbing cannot be reintroduced into the wild and will be lost. 

The Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area (QECA), located in western Uganda, is a large and complex protected area encompassing Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), Kyambura and Kigezi Wildlife Reserves.

The park spans approximately 1,978 square kilometers and is renowned for its diverse ecosystems, including savannas, forests, lakes, and wetlands. It is blessed with some of the highest biodiversity in the region with around 100 mammal species and 612 bird species. QENP is most known for its rare tree-climbing lions, which are one of only three remaining populations of these unique lions remaining in the world.

There are only 39 tree-climbing lions remaining in the park today. If they disappear, they will not come back. 

Over the last 40 years, Queen Elizabeth National Park’s (QENP) lion population has plummeted by over 90%, dropping from more than 400 in the 1980s to just 39 lions in 2022 and faces extinction. As the human population around QECA grows, human-wildlife conflict is expected to increase, further endangering the already vulnerable lion population, which also faces challenges from habitat loss, invasive species, and prey decline. The surrounding area, one of Africa's most densely populated, faces economic hardship and limited educational opportunities, hindering local youth's ability to participate in conservation and ecotourism. Poaching fueled by both bushmeat hunting and retaliatory killings poses a severe threat to the already vulnerable lion populations. 

The grant will train rangers to monitor the lions and protect them. 

In 2024, the ATCF awarded a $15,000 grant to Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust to support the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project (KLMP). KLMP conducts an annual large carnivore census and collects data for African lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas using a network of vehicles and remote camera traps. The project aims to establish a science-based conservation program that supports the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in the scientific monitoring and protection of large carnivores, respond to injured animals and human/wildlife conflict incidents, helps to assess the impact of conservation work currently being done, and trains young Ugandans from the Kyambura community in scientific conservation techniques.

To learn more about this grant, check out this post.

Empowering women in ocean science and coral reef conservation in Raja Ampat

In the remote islands of Raja Ampat, Indonesia Women in Ocean Science is empowering a group of local women to conserve their unique marine habitat for generations to come

A local woman from Raja Ampat gets ready to dive into the water. Photo credit: Women in Ocean Science

Raja Ampat, situated in West Papua, Indonesia, is renowned for its breathtaking biodiversity and immaculate coral reefs, making it a top destination for travelers seeking unparalleled diving and snorkeling experiences. The archipelago, comprising 612 islands, boasts an astonishing array of marine life, including over 540 coral species—representing more than 75% of all known coral types—and over 1,000 fish species. This exceptional concentration makes Raja Ampat the richest coral reef ecosystem on the planet, fostering some of the most diverse fish communities in the world and solidifying its status as a vital marine habitat. 

However, a surge in tourism has created significant conservation challenges, threatening this unique ecosystem. Environmental degradation increased plastic pollution, and the proliferation of cyanobacteria are impacting marine life, including iconic species like manta rays. Although the local community is deeply committed to environmental protection, gender inequality has limited women's participation in conservation efforts. Cultural norms and restricted access to education and resources have kept women underrepresented in ocean-based industries, hindering their involvement in crucial conservation work.

In 2024, the ATCF awarded a $15,000 grant to Women in Ocean Science, a registered charity and global network dedicated to addressing gender inequality in marine science and conservation. This grant aims to empower women to excel in ocean-focused careers. The grant will be used to train local women in Raja Ampat in marine conservation, diving, and ecosystem monitoring, while actively restoring degraded coral reefs in vital manta ray habitats.

This initiative is set to cultivate female conservation leaders, rejuvenate coral reef ecosystems, enhance sustainable marine resource management, and bolster community resilience in the face of environmental challenges. Additionally, the project will promote sustainable eco-tourism, foster long-term community ownership of conservation programs, and inspire worldwide action through compelling storytelling.

Iconic Manta Rays like these glide gracefully within the crystal clear waters of Raja Ampat

“We are so honoured to be selected as one of the recipients of this year’s Adventure Travel Conservation Fund grant. The support and recognition of our the programme means a great deal and we have just informed our local partners too who are over the moon!”

-Madeline St Clair - Founder & Managing Director |Women in Ocean Science Charity

To learn more about this grant, check out this post.