Dreams Puerto Vallarta to Protect Marine Turtles During Nesting

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. October 14, 2008

JUNE 10, 2008. With the 2008 turtle nesting season about to begin, Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa is gearing up to continue its efforts to preserve the Olive Ridley marine sea turtle through its "Dreaming of Freedom" conservation program. The program, first initiated in 1993, is designed to protect this endangered species of turtle by educating resort guests and the surrounding community.

Located on Mexico's Pacific coast, Dreams Puerto Vallarta's beaches are home to the Olive Ridley sea turtle during its reproductive season. Every year, from June to September, hotel guests and employees have the opportunity to learn about the plight of this sea turtle and the importance of its preservation.

Annually, the Olive Ridley female sea turtle returns to the beach of their birth to dig nests and lay eggs at night as they have for hundreds of thousands of years. Resort employees and volunteers aid in the effort by collecting the nests for preservation in the resort's Conservation Center, which prevents possible destruction or damage to the eggs from inclement weather like high tides, natural predators like seagulls, and from accidental human destruction. Every day, the hotel's dedicated staff counts and dates the eggs, controls the temperature of the nests, monitors the condition of the sand, and more.

Upon hatching, the tiny turtles are carefully returned to the sand at night, where they instinctively go towards the ocean, following the horizon and the moon. Dreams Puerto Vallarta's program has gained tremendous respect throughout the region; encouraging surrounding municipalities to bring nests from nearby beaches to the resort for preservation. In 2007, over 33,000 eggs were lodged and approximately 30,000 turtles were released, and thereby saved.

To support the hotel's program, guests and their families are encouraged to adopt their very own turtle through voluntary donations. Proceeds of the donations are invested in improving the on-site turtle nursery. The dollars also ensure the continued education of the resort's staff Marine Specialist. Dreams Puerto Vallarta hopes to garner enough donations and resources to build a permanent Conservation Center at the resort and further support environmental programs taught in the local public schools.

In addition, part of the proceeds from the turtle adoptions are donated to Pasitos de Luz, a local non-profit institution, which supports severely disabled children whose families have limited economic resources. These children are invited to be part of the turtle release ceremonies.

Following the program's success and impact on this endangered turtle species, two other Dreams Resorts & Spas have recently joined the effort to preserve marine sea turtles during the upcoming nesting season. Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa and Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa have launched "Dreaming of Freedom" programs to protect their local turtles while educating resort guests and the surrounding community.

Located on the coast of the Pacific, on one of the largest bays in the world, Dreams Puerto Vallarta is surrounded by the magnificent green mountains of the Sierra Madre mountain range. All luxurious rooms and suites offer a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and their picturesque private beach.