Their Story in their Own Words – An Open Letter

 

My name is Gary González Jiménez, and together with my wife, Marjury, we would like to share our story and the vision that has become our life’s purpose.

I was born and raised in Costa Rica and have spent most of my life along its beautiful coastlines. Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world. Those experiences showed me many incredible places, yet they also confirmed that Costa Rica is where my heart truly belongs. Its extraordinary biodiversity, peaceful communities, and close relationship with nature have always inspired me.

Five years ago, I met my wife, Marjury, a lifelong resident of Gandoca, a small coastal community located within the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. Together we have built a loving family with our two young daughters, who are three years and three months old, and we are also raising Marjury’s two older children.

Our family is united by a deep respect for wildlife and a strong commitment to conservation. I work as a nature guide, leading visitors through the canals and surrounding ecosystems, while together we operate a very small family restaurant that welcomes both local families and the limited number of visitors who reach this remote community. Although tourism here is modest, our home allows us to live close to the environment we love and are determined to protect.

Gandoca is one of the most important nesting beaches in the Caribbean for endangered sea turtles, including the Leatherback, Green, and Hawksbill sea turtles. Every nesting season, these magnificent animals travel thousands of kilometers to return to this beach and lay their eggs, continuing a natural cycle that has existed for millions of years.

Unfortunately, this remarkable sanctuary faces a serious threat. Poachers regularly enter the beach to steal turtle eggs and kill nesting turtles for illegal trade. Only days ago, a nesting turtle was slaughtered, its meat taken while the remains were left behind. This heartbreaking reality continues to endanger species that are already struggling for survival.

As parents, we want our children to grow up surrounded by the same natural beauty that has shaped our lives. We believe conservation is not about opposing local traditions or communities; rather, it is about working together to ensure that future generations can continue to experience and benefit from these extraordinary ecosystems.

Our dream is to establish and strengthen community-based sea turtle conservation efforts in Gandoca through night patrols, nest protection, environmental education, community involvement, and collaboration with responsible organizations and volunteers. We believe that protecting wildlife and supporting local families can go hand in hand.

Today, we are reaching out with hope. We are seeking partnerships with organizations, companies, foundations, and individuals who share our commitment to protecting endangered wildlife. Financial support, equipment, educational resources, or any form of collaboration would help us transform our vision into meaningful action and create lasting conservation efforts in our community.

Every contribution, regardless of its size, will directly support the protection of nesting sea turtles and help preserve one of Costa Rica’s most valuable natural treasures.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our family and our mission. We sincerely hope you will consider joining us in protecting these extraordinary animals and ensuring that future generations inherit a healthier and more sustainable world.

 

With gratitude,

The González Family

Gary González Jiménez & Marjury

Gandoca, Costa Rica

 

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