SEE Turtles is a U.S.-based organization dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles and supporting community-based conservation worldwide. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, SEE Turtles partners with organizations in over 30 countries to protect sea turtle nesting beaches, combat marine plastic pollution, reduce the illegal tortoiseshell trade, and provide sustainable economic opportunities for coastal communities.
The organization focuses on conservation efforts that connect wildlife protection with local community benefits. Unlike many programs that restrict traditional practices like fishing or egg collection, SEE Turtles provides viable alternatives through sustainable tourism, education, and economic development.
A key component of SEE Turtles’ model is its Conservation Travel program, which connects travelers to conservation projects while generating income for local communities. Participants engage in turtle monitoring, habitat restoration, environmental education, and community conservation, directly supporting local partners and protecting sea turtles.
SEE Turtles also runs major initiatives like the Billion Baby Turtles program, which has helped protect over 20 million hatchlings, and the Too Rare to Wear campaign, which combats the illegal tortoiseshell trade. Additionally, its Sea Turtles & Plastic program supports efforts to reduce marine plastic pollution.
Recently, SEE Turtles expanded with the acquisition of EcoTeach, a student travel company, allowing SEE Turtles to scale its Conservation Travel program, increase revenue, and engage a new generation of environmental stewards.
The SEE Turtles Origin Story
SEE Turtles was founded in 2008 by Brad Nahill, who has over 25 years of experience in marine conservation and environmental program development. The organization was born out of Brad’s recognition that conservation efforts often fail to succeed when they exclude local communities from the benefits of wildlife protection.
After working with various environmental organizations and witnessing the challenges faced by coastal communities dependent on fishing and other extractive industries, Brad launched SEE Turtles with the goal of creating a nonprofit that combined wildlife conservation with sustainable tourism. The idea was simple: connect tourists with meaningful conservation activities, and in doing so, generate financial support for sea turtle protection efforts while empowering local communities.
From its first years as a small project under the Ocean Conservancy umbrella, SEE Turtles quickly grew into an independent nonprofit and established itself as a leader in community-based sea turtle conservation. Today, the organization continues to expand its reach globally, supporting conservation efforts in over 30 countries and engaging thousands of travelers each year in its mission.
How SEE Turtles Is Making A Positive Impact
SEE Turtles has become a driving force in global sea turtle conservation, with a mission that integrates environmental protection, education, and community development.
The organization’s flagship Conservation Travel program allows travelers to directly support turtle conservation by participating in activities such as nesting site protection, turtle monitoring, and habitat restoration. This program has funded over $1.2M for sea turtle protection efforts and generated over $400K for coastal communities, linking sustainable tourism to tangible conservation outcomes.
In addition to its travel programs, SEE Turtles runs the Billion Baby Turtles initiative, which provides grants to local organizations working to protect turtle nesting beaches worldwide. Since its inception, the program has helped save more than 20 million hatchlings by supporting efforts on beaches across the globe.
Through its Too Rare to Wear campaign, SEE Turtles also tackles the illegal trade of tortoiseshell products. The campaign partners with the tourism industry and retailers to raise awareness and reduce demand for these illegal goods, while educating travelers about the importance of conserving turtle populations.
SEE Turtles’ Sea Turtles & Plastic program focuses on reducing marine plastic pollution, supporting community-led efforts to collect waste and providing income opportunities in coastal areas. By combining environmental work with economic opportunities, SEE Turtles has created a model where conservation actions are directly tied to community benefit.
Finally, the integration of EcoTeach into SEE Turtles’ operations significantly expands the organization’s reach. EcoTeach organizes student trips to Costa Rica and other destinations, combining environmental education with conservation activities. This expansion allows SEE Turtles to engage a new audience of students and young travelers while supporting the sustainability of its operations through earned revenue.
Why the UnTours Foundation Invested in SEE Turtles
Through the Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund, in partnership with Expedia Group, the UnTours Foundation invested in SEE Turtles to support the expansion of its conservation travel model, with a focus on providing accessible and inclusive travel experiences.
SEE Turtles’ approach aligns with Expedia’s commitment to promoting inclusive travel. The organization connects student travelers with meaningful conservation work, offering an opportunity to engage in sea turtle protection while supporting local communities. By focusing on youth participation in conservation, SEE Turtles creates accessible travel experiences that allow diverse groups to be part of environmental stewardship.
The acquisition of EcoTeach, a student travel company, will allow SEE Turtles to expand its programs, reaching more students and increasing the scale of its impact. This growth will further strengthen SEE Turtles’ ability to support conservation efforts and provide sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.
Through this investment, the UnTours Foundation is supporting a model that connects education, conservation, and accessible travel, fostering the next generation of environmental leaders and contributing to the protection of marine ecosystems.
How You Can Support SEE Turtles
Travelers can support SEE Turtles by participating in its Conservation Travel programs, which allow travelers to contribute directly to sea turtle conservation efforts while gaining hands-on experience in protecting endangered species. Tourism businesses and partners can collaborate with SEE Turtles to develop sustainable tourism products that support marine conservation, offer educational experiences, and generate funding for local communities. In addition, donors and supporters can contribute to SEE Turtles’ global initiatives, including the Billion Baby Turtles program, the Sea Turtles & Plastic program, and the Too Rare to Wear campaign.
