The Olive Ridley Project
The Olive Ridley Project (ORP) is a UK-registered charity dedicated to safeguarding sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and rehabilitation, scientific research, and extensive education and outreach efforts.
Since its opening in Kenya in 2018, ORP has primarily concentrated on sea turtle monitoring within the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve. Over time, its scope has expanded to collaborate closely with local fisherfolk communities, focusing on various facets of sea turtle conservation along the Kenyan coast in the Kwale County region.
The ORP’s MissioN
At the heart of our organisation lies a dynamic mission: protecting sea turtles and their habitats. Through the synergy of scientific research, dedicated rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and impactful community education and outreach, we're weaving a tapestry of change. Our vision extends beyond the present, aiming to cultivate a sustainable environment that ensures the survival of these endangered creatures for generations to come.
The ORP’s Work
At the core of our work is a passionate and dedicated team of scientists, veterinarians, conservationists, citizen scientists, and volunteers. ORP was founded by Dr Martin Stelfox in 2013, with a focus on saving sea turtles entangled in ghost gear in the Maldives, the majority of which were Olive Ridley sea turtles. This grew and expanded to include rescue and rehabilitation with the establishment of the first veterinarian-run sea turtle rescue centre in the Maldives in 2017. Today, ORP takes a global and holistic approach to sea turtle conservation and operates in the Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Seychelles, and Kenya.
ORP began operations in Kenya in 2018 with a focus on sea turtle monitoring in the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve. We used a photographic identification program to monitor sea turtle populations and identify individual turtles. We also conducted education and outreach programs to raise awareness about sea turtles and the importance of conservation targeting locals as well as visitors. These programs included citizen science submissions, where members of the public could help us collect data on sea turtles, and educational workshops with partnering organisations.
In 2022, we expanded our community outreach program to include a pilot study with fisherfolk. This study aimed to understand the challenges that fisherfolk face in conserving sea turtles and to develop strategies for working with them to protect sea turtles. Our work is supported by a global team that supports education and community outreach programs in 5 countries and provides training and resources to our local teams. This helps us to share our work with a wider audience.
At the Olive Ridley Project, our current endeavors are centered around the impactful Sea Turtle Conservation Training Workshops conducted in Kwale County's Beach Management Units (BMUs): Chale-Jeza, Mwaembe, Munje, and Funzi. These workshops serve as a nexus, connecting communities, ORP, and KWS officials to empower individuals in sea turtle conservation.
Our commitment extends beyond the workshops. We've developed key resources, including booklets and panels, to enhance outreach. A robust monitoring and evaluation system ensures the sustained progress of our initiatives within the communities, involving on-site visits and regular phone calls to trainees.
In October, recap sessions provided insights into the effectiveness of our workshops, with a focus on feedback for improvement. Areas identified for attention include the need for more training materials, collaboration, and broader community involvement. Sustainability efforts include increased booklet production, regular meetings, collaboration with a wider group of stakeholders, long-term impact assessments, and an expansion to untrained members.
November marked a celebration to acknowledge and strengthen community relationships, drawing widespread stakeholder attendance and positive feedback. Looking ahead, strategic steps involve twenty outstanding trainees leading the 2024 BMU program and monthly meetings with four BMUs, ensuring ongoing sea turtle conservation expansion. We're also gearing up to extend our impact to the remaining five BMUs in 2024, emphasizing improved workshops, recap sessions, evaluations, certifications, and celebrations.
In essence, our organization passionately fosters community engagement and collaboration, making strides in sea turtle conservation that resonate across wider regions.
ORP’s Inspiration
The Olive Ridley Project was born from a deep-seated commitment to protect sea turtles and their habitats. The inspiration stemmed from recognizing the urgent need for conservation efforts, and our journey began in 2018, focusing initially on sea turtle monitoring in the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve.
Today, our ongoing inspiration lies in the transformative impact we've witnessed through community-driven initiatives. The profound connections forged during Sea Turtle Conservation Training Workshops in Kwale County BMUs have fueled our determination. Witnessing the enthusiasm and eagerness of communities to actively participate in sea turtle preservation has become a driving force. The positive feedback from stakeholders, the strengthening of community relationships, and the acknowledgment received during celebratory events all contribute to our enduring commitment.
In essence, our organisation is inspired by the tangible results of collaborative efforts. The partnerships formed, the knowledge shared, and the dedication displayed by communities continually fuel our mission. The evolving landscape of sea turtle conservation and the promising steps taken by those we engage with serve as a perpetual source of inspiration, propelling us forward in our quest for a sustainable and harmonious coexistence between sea turtles and coastal communities.
If you could change one thing in our world/environment today, what would it be?
If I could enact one transformative change in our world today, it would be to create a ripple effect of awareness and action toward a more harmonious coexistence between humanity and marine life. Inspired by our work at The Olive Ridley Project, where community-driven conservation has proven to be a catalyst for positive change, I envision a world where every individual recognises their role in preserving the delicate balance of our oceans.
This change would manifest through widespread education and outreach, fostering a global understanding of the interconnectedness between human activities and marine ecosystems. By empowering communities to actively engage in conservation, our world would witness a paradigm shift towards sustainable practices and heightened environmental stewardship. The sea turtle, a symbol of resilience and interconnectedness, would become an ambassador for broader environmental awareness.
In this envisioned world, the seas would thrive with diverse marine life, and coastal communities would flourish in a sustainable partnership with nature. Through collective efforts, we would not only mitigate the threats facing marine environments but also ensure a legacy of responsible cohabitation for generations to come.
