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WCC 2020 Res 124 - Activity Report

Submitted by jessica.castro-... on Wed, 04/19/2023 - 15:44
General Information
Taking action to reduce light pollution
IUCN Constituent: 
IUCN WCPA Caribbean and Central America 2021-2025
IUCN Constituent type: 
IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas 2021-2025
Period covered: 
2022
Geographic scope: 
Country
Country/Territory: 
Puerto Rico
In implementing this Resolution your organization has worked/consulted with...
IUCN Secretariat: 
No
Other non-IUCN related organisations: 
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Amigos de las Tortugas Matinas, Chelonia, Siete Quillas, Yo Amo al Tinglar, Vida Marina, Tortugueros del Sur, Tortugueros del CEN, Tortugueros de Isla Verde
Implementation
Indicate and briefly describe any actions that have been carried out to implement this Resolution: 
ActionDescriptionStatus
Capacity-buildingWe collaborated with the local government and local sea turtle community-based groups to train in the identification of sources of light pollution. We trained field assistants on the process of designing a lighting retrofit plan. On-going
Education/Communication/Raising awarenessWe developed educational materials about light pollution, and its negative effect on wildlife, especially on sea turtle nesting beaches. On-going
Field activitiesWith funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, our project developed a lighting retrofit program for the island. We provided cost-free turtle-friendly lights to those properties that voluntarily applied to our program.On-going
Please report on the result /achievement of the actions taken: 
As of February 2023, a total of 107 properties participated in the program including 53 single-family homes, 23 condominiums (common-use and recreative areas), 21 commercial properties (e.g., restaurants), 8 properties with “other” uses (e.g., church, public park) and 4 residential/commercial (i.e., Airbnb). Even though there is still so much work to be done to guarantee a long-term impact, nesting beaches in Puerto Rico are darker and safer for sea turtles than they were a few years ago. Hopefully, this effort has generated enough empathy and knowledge to change people’s attitudes and behaviors toward sea turtles and the impact of excessive light on nesting beaches.
What challenges have you encountered in implementing this Resolution and what measures have you taken to overcome them?: 
Three major challenges affect the long term success of our actions: 1) the lack of law enforcement in Puerto Rico, 2) the lack of turtle-friendly lights available in local stores and megastores, 3) the higher costs of turtle-friendly lights plus cost of shipping to Puerto Rico.
Identify and briefly describe what future actions are planned for the implementation of this Resolution: 
Future ActionDescription
Education/Communication/Raising awarenessOngoing education campaigns are fundamental for increasing awareness which would result in a change in behaviors.
Policy influencing/advocacyAdvocating for effective law enforcement is one of the strategies that would help to reduce light pollution in Puerto Rico.
Additional Information
Upload document: 
PDF icon SWOT17_32-33_Light+Pollution.pdf
External link(s): 
Reducing light pollution from sea turtle nesting beaches in Puerto Rico