Feature Destination

Feature Destination: In Türkiye, a Sparkling Model for Community-Led Conservation

Indigenous-managed protected area integrates traditional knowledge and multi-stakeholder partnerships

Aerial view of Cleopatra Island, Gökova Bay, where community leadership is driving success in marine ecosystem conservation.

Aerial view of Cleopatra Island, Gökova Bay, where community leadership is driving success in marine ecoystem conservation. © Zafer Kizilkaya

Gökova Bay, a sparkling blue body of water on the Mediterranean coast off Türkiye, is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and one of the most successful marine ecosystem conservation initiatives. This is in large part thanks to Zafer Kizilkaya and the efforts of his organization, Akdeniz Koruma Dernegi, or Mediterranean Conservation Society (MCS) in English. A UNDP Equator Prize winner for 2014, MCS’ earliest actions were supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme Türkiye.

Zafer Kizilkaya and the Mediterranean Conservation Society (MCS) apply a ‘bottom-up’ approach to managing the Gökova Bay marine protected area. © Ozkan Anil

At its outset, MCS primarily focused on creating marine protected areas, which allowed fishing but limited development, and included no-take zones, which forbid all fishing and are critical to fully restoring marine ecosystem function after years of overfishing. The organization maintains the highest level of respect and reverence for small-scale fisherfolk, who have accumulated generations of knowledge about local fishing conditions that enable them to best understand how to navigate human-nature interactions in Gökova Bay. It is this integration of traditional knowledge with multi-stakeholder partnerships and enforcement mechanisms that has and continues to enable MCS to serve as a model for other marine areas around the world.

Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus (left) and seagrass, Posidonia oceanica, and black chromises, Chromis chromis (right) are among the wildlife that make Gökova Bay a biodiversity hotspot. © Zafer Kizilkaya

Since winning the prestigious Equator Prize, MCS has continued to grow, successfully replicating its no-take zones (now called protected areas) and ecosystem restoration model in other areas of Türkiye and into Greece and Tunisia. This model of community-based enforcement strategies complemented by cooperation with regional and national authorities and scientific studies sets them apart as one of the very first initiatives in Türkiye to show community leadership in both economic management and ecosystem conservation. Their use of a bottom-up, co-management strategy has been highly effective at protecting and restoring degraded ecosystems and shirks a historical trend of top-down policymaking and regulations.

A Mediterranean Conservation Society monitoring team surveys invasive sea urchins in Gocek marine protected area. — A Mediterranean Conservation Society monitoring team surveys invasive sea urchins in the Gocek marine protected area.
© Zafer Kizilkaya

A crucial piece of the MCS model is the ranger system, a group of paid individuals who patrol these protected areas of Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast in an effort to prevent illegal fishing activities that damage recovering marine ecosystems. MCS is the only non-governmental organization in the world patrolling day and night. With nine boats, 14 rangers and community respect, the ranger system has and continues to prove itself extremely effective at minimizing illegal activities.

“Right now in our area, there are no cases of illegal activities,” Kizilkaya said. “Over the 10 years since we won the Equator Prize, our ranger system has become very well known by all the people living here – tourists, fisherfolk, charter boats. When illegal activity is noticed, we are often the first call made, even before the Coast Guard.”

Mediterranean Conservation Society ranger Emre Guren patrols the Gocek marine protected area.
© Zafer Kizilkaya

Ömer Balci, whose family has been in Gökova Bay for generations, is one of the MCS rangers. Trained as a marine biologist, he speaks to both the importance of the rangers’ work and the dangerous nature of it. Most of his days are spent patrolling protected waters and documenting illegal activities.

“We are always ready on the water,” Balci said. “We are always looking, always watching for illegal activity and observing how the protected areas are doing. We never patrol alone as it can be a dangerous job.”

Marine ranger Ömer Balci conducts patrols and takes part in underwater clean-up activities in the Gökova Bay marine protected area. © Ömer Balci

Whenever the MCS rangers get a call or come upon the illegal activity, their job is to take out a phone and record the activity using an application that time stamps and provides a geo-tag for the exact location. This way, when they send the video to the Coast Guard, there is documentation of where and when exactly the activity was taking place, and the perpetrators can be disciplined appropriately.

Fisherwoman Semiha hauls up her long line in Gökova Bay marine protected area. Community-based conservation measures aim to maintain the long-term viability of local fisheries. © Zafer Kizilkaya

Even with conservation and restoration efforts, the effects of climate change continue to be seen and felt in the Mediterranean Sea. According to Kizilkaya, each year the thermocline level (the level of cold water) continues to diminish as waters warm, slowly turning the Mediterranean Sea into a tropical sea. This warming increases the range of invasive species in the area, greatly taxing the local ecosystem and fisheries sector.

“Based on annual monitoring, the biomass of invasive species is increasing 2 percent every year,” Kizilkaya said. “By 2030, more than 30 percent of the whole fish population in our ecosystem will be invasive species. The good news is that, within protected areas, there are 15 percent less invasive species than in non-protected. This is a great sign that the protected regions are a kind of sentinel, laboratories of high resilience.”

A fisherman displays his white grouper catch. The species makes up more than 40% of the local fishing livelihood in Gökova Bay. © Zafer Kizilkaya

To address the growing population of invasive species in the area, which in some areas now account for over 70 percent of the total catch in Gökova Bay fisheries, Kizilkaya and MCS have taken steps to promote the consumption of said invasive species, transforming their sale into a commercially viable sector for fishermen. Lionfish are particularly popular.

“Over the last 10 years, there has been an amazing uplift in the invasive species market,” KIzilkaya said. “We work with some very famous Michelin star chefs in the country, so we can buy these invasive species from local fishermen and sell them to around 60 fine-dining restaurants to put on their menus.”

In April, Kizilkaya was a recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize for his work with MCS in creating this expansive network of marine reserves off Türkiye’s coast. Kizilkaya is grateful for the recognition, particularly as the Prize has spotlighted MCS efforts and drawn global and national attention from politicians who have the ability to effect policy change crucial to long-term goals related to marine conservation.

“Even the President and First Lady [of Türkiye] called to congratulate me on the Goldman,” Kizilkaya said. “Right now, I have more access to higher level governmental officials and other institutions who want to support [our mission] with funding of new programmes and projects.”

Zafer Kizilkaya surveys local fishers in Gökova Bay. © Susanne Masters

Currently, MCS is in the process of changing their institutional structure from a society to a foundation. This will mean tax exemptions and more funding from domestic sources in an effort to continue its unconventional bottom-up approach of engaging and empowering different levels of local community with ownership in their ecosystems and natural resources.

While Kizilkaya acknowledges the significance of MCS’s bottom-up approach to conservation efforts, which involves the local community, engaging them in protecting their own resources, he does also recognize that at some point, particularly in more developed countries, bottom-up approaches reach a threshold where top-down practices are both helpful and often necessary as a supplement.

Marine biologist Inci Tuney sets up a seagrass monitoring system in the Kas-Kekova marine protected area. © Zafer Kizilkaya

“The clock is ticking, and every single moment we are losing these ecosystems,” Kizilkaya said. “Now the efforts that must be made are so clear, so crisp. We have to protect these areas, no matter the method to do so. Entire ecosystems, entire future generations, are at stake.”

MCS is poised to support the launch of a similar initiative in the spring of 2024 with Indonesia’s Sea Centre Foundation. With over 50,000 square kilometres of protected marine area, the Raj Ampat marine area project will be the largest-scale replication of MCS’s training and managerial model outside of Gorkova Bay since the organization’s inception in 2012. Although protected on paper, the governmental authority that manages this marine area, home to the world’s centre of marine biodiversity, has limited resources and is currently unable to effectively monitor and patrol this vast area.

For fisherwoman Memduha Dinc in Bozburun Marmaris, work begins early in the morning. © Zafer Kizilkaya

Kizilkaya is hopeful that implementing MSC’s model of bottom-up community engagement and education, particularly with the ranger system, will allow for more long-term sustainable protection of these fragile and crucial biodiversity hotspots as well as potentially lead to solutions for the degradation of these ecosystems. Indonesia appears to be somewhat of an outlier – although the waters of Raj Ampat are warming just as all bodies of water worldwide, there has been no significant bleaching event in its corals.

“Sixty-five percent of the Great Barrier Reef died from bleaching, so why don’t the corals in Raj Ampat die from warm waters?” Kizilkaya wonders. “I have a hypothesis about these corals becoming resilient to warm water. I believe if you take these corals to the Great Barrier Reef and other areas in need of restoration and propagate them, they will stay healthy. Maybe Raj Ampat will be the solution to save all coral in Southeast Asia. That’s why we will go there next, for monitoring and experiments to continue the conservation efforts globally.”

Marine rangers patrol off Tersane Island in the Gocek marine protected area. © Zafer Kizilkaya

For more information visit UNDP.

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Feature Destination

Feature Destination: A Conservationist’s Reflection on Family, Biodiversity, and Restoration in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the few countries I’ve returned to repeatedly over the last twenty or so years. Each visit has reinforced why this small Central American nation continues to hold a special place in my heart. As a conservationist, I’ve long admired its bold environmental policies, its ability to restore vast areas of degraded land, and the extraordinary biodiversity that thrives here. But what draws me back just as strongly is the feeling that Costa Rica gives you: the quiet assurance that another world is possible, one where people and nature can coexist with purpose and respect.

I had the chance to experience Costa Rica in a new way, traveling with three generations of my family. My husband, my sister and her family, and our aging parents all came together for what we knew would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. My sister chose Costa Rica not only because of its beauty, but also because it felt manageable for a multigenerational vacation. It’s safe, accessible, and well set up for travelers of all ages. We also understood it would be expensive, but for the chance to travel together as a full family, the investment was worth it.

coconut tree on beach shore during daytime

We started our journey in San José, where my husband and I stayed in a homestay with a Costa Rican grandmother. She greeted us with warmth, fed us incredible meals, and gave us our first taste, quite literally, of the hospitality this country is known for. From there, we headed to Quepos on the Pacific coast, where my sister had rented an Airbnb home. It was the perfect setup with a space for all of us to gather, cook, relax, and look out over a small deck that faced what appeared to be pure jungle. The view was mesmerizing. We later learned that only a few decades ago, the entire landscape had been logged and used for farmland or extraction. But thanks to Costa Rica’s climate and commitment to restoration, nature had returned with full force. You’d never know it had once been stripped bare.

Every morning, we gathered on that deck before sunrise with coffee in hand to watch the forest awaken. Birds darted through the trees: tanagers, flycatchers, motmots, flickering colors between the leaves. For a family of nature lovers, those quiet hours became some of the most meaningful and memorable moments of the entire trip.

Quepos gave us easy access to both the coast and the rainforest. We hiked in the nearby parks, explored waterfalls, we stumbled on eco-tours of chocolate-making, coffee farming, and sustainable agriculture. The excursions were varied and accessible. Canopy walks, guided nature trails, and small boat rides. Costa Rica’s dynamic geography from the mountains, coasts, volcanoes, and rainforests means you don’t have to travel far to experience completely different ecosystems.

Although my husband and I skipped diving this time to stay together as a family, we did take a longer boat ride to a more remote patch of primary forest. I believe we were on the edge of the Osa Peninsula or near Corcovado National Park, which is known as one of the most biologically intense places on Earth. The experience reminded me again how rare it is to be able to witness truly untouched rainforest.

Every meal we ate was exceptional. With such a strong agricultural foundation, the food was consistently fresh, flavorful, and locally grown. Pineapple, avocado, coffee, papaya, rice, and beans, all vibrant and prepared with pride. Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainable agriculture shows in the taste of what ends up on your plate.

Beyond the beauty and comfort, what continues to impress me most is Costa Rica’s national commitment to conservation. Despite being only about 51,000 square kilometers in size, Costa Rica is home to more than 500,000 species, about 5% of the world’s biodiversity, thanks to its location at the intersection of North and South America. The diversity includes iconic species like the resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii), jaguars (Panthera onca), and endangered sea turtles like the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), which nests on the Caribbean coast in places like Tortuguero National Park.

gray wooden bridge in forest during daytime

Costa Rica has not only preserved what it has, it has reversed damage from generations of less sustainable development. In the 1980s, deforestation was rampant, with forest cover reduced to about 21%. But thanks to a range of government policies, including the 1997 launch of the Payment for Environmental Services (PES) program, forest cover has increased to over 50% as of the 2010s, and as of 2022 forests covered approximately 60.1% of the country’s land area, according to the World Bank. The PES program rewards landowners for keeping forests intact, recognizing the economic value of ecosystem services such as carbon capture, water filtration, and biodiversity protection. Much of this work is administered through MINAE (the Ministry of Environment and Energy), and its subsidiary agencies like SINAC, FONAFIFO, and CONAGEBIO.

gray and brown turtle on gray sand during daytime

The country has also turned its attention toward marine conservation, with over 30% of its territorial waters now designated as marine protected areas (MPAs). These include coral reefs, mangroves, and marine corridors vital for species like sharks, whales, and sea turtles. Organizations like the MarViva Foundation have been instrumental in managing these MPAs, particularly around the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Folks from Costa Rica, also called Ticos, have the reputation of being affectionately warm, proud, and deeply connected to the land. You quickly learn the phrase “Pura Vida” is more than a slogan. It’s a mindset, an expression of gratitude, resilience, and appreciation for life’s simple gifts. It’s said as a greeting, a farewell, a thank-you, and always with a smile.

Traveling here, you’ll find that Costa Rica is not only logistically easy, but emotionally and intellectually enriching. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or a multigenerational family like us, there’s something for everyone. The country is incredibly welcoming to people of all backgrounds, and it’s one of the safest places in Central America to visit.

If you’re planning a trip, the best advice is to decide what kind of experience you’re looking for. Do you want to immerse yourself in the jungle? Lounge on the beach? Explore volcanoes? Stay in a city and do day trips? Or do a bit of everything? There’s no single way to “do” Costa Rica. You can rent a car or rely on shuttle services. Stay in a city hotel, a remote eco-lodge, or a beachside Airbnb. It’s all possible.

Here are a few key regions to consider:

Central Valley (San José and surroundings): Cultural sites, museums, and access to volcanoes and cloud forests.
Pacific Coast (including Quepos and Manuel Antonio): National parks, beaches, and adventure tourism.
Caribbean Coast (like Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero): Afro-Caribbean culture, nesting turtles, and rich biodiversity.
Northern Plains (Arenal and La Fortuna): Hot springs, waterfalls, and volcanoes.
Southern Zone (Osa Peninsula and Corcovado): Pristine rainforest, rare species, and incredible biodiversity.

VisitCostaRica.com is the official tourism website and a helpful starting point for researching regions, accommodations, and activities.

For us, this trip was a chance to reconnect, not just with each other, but with the natural world. Costa Rica has a way of doing that. When you’re surrounded by howler monkeys at dawn, or listening to rain fall onto leaves the size of couch cushions, or catching a glimpse of a toucan in flight, you remember what it feels like to be part of something ancient and alive.

And in a world where conservation so often feels like a losing battle, Costa Rica shows what can be achieved when a nation decides to prioritize nature, not just in words, but through action.

Feature Destination

Feature Destination: The Most Awe-Inspiring National Parks in Latin America

The national parks in Latin America are breathtaking, with diverse landscapes ranging from towering glaciers in Chile to lush tropical rainforests in Costa Rica and jaguar conservation areas in Belize. These areas of immense natural beauty enable you to immerse yourself into the rich biodiversity and culture this continent has to offer, where you’ll explore the unique ecosystems and learn about the traditions of the indigenous people.

Here is our list for the best national parks in Latin America.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Located in the southern reaches of Chile, the Andes are at their most spectacular here, with jagged peaks rising from bright blue fjords and turquoise lakes (photo above)

A true Patagonia adventure awaits in Torres del Paine National Park. The hiking here is legendary, with routes varying from a few hours to a few days’ expedition across the 1,814 square kilometre wilderness. The landscapes are rewarding, with colossal glaciers, snow capped summits and roaring waterfalls juxtaposing the vast open plains.

Go kayaking on glacial lakes that sparkle or ride horses through forests and across pampas plains with the local gauchos, learning about their traditional ways of life in this unforgettable setting.

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

Los Glaciares National Park can be found at the heart of Argentine Patagonia. Spanning over 7,000 square kilometres, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for the sheer scale of its stunning glacial landscapes and rugged mountains.

The Perito Moreno Glacier dominates the landscape, where deep blues merge with ethereal whites, creating a symphony of hues that sparkle in the sunlight. Watch glacial calving from the boardwalk or boat as chunks of ice break off and thunder into the milky blue waters of Lake Argentino below. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even scale the ice field with crampons, appreciating the ice caves and pools along the way.

Admire with awe as you explore the landscape on foot, or even horseback, on the lookout for guanacos, Andean condors, foxes, and bird species. If you tackle the 22 km trek to Laguna de los Tres, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mount Fitz Roy.

Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

Incredible biodiversity and tropical rainforests make up this natural park, situated on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, which is best known for its entangled ecosystem of winding rivers, canals, lagoons, and beaches.

Navigate Tortuguero by boat or canoe using the extensive network of waterways, where you’ll pass through dense foliage, alive with movement and sound. Monkeys swing overhead, their playful chatter blending with the calls of exotic birds like toucans and parrots. Observe and immerse yourself into the rich tropical haven around you, where three-toed sloths hang lazily from branches and river otters frolic in the water alongside you.

During nesting season, in July and August, hundreds of green sea and hawksbill turtles come ashore to lay eggs in the sand. Watch this process in action and learn more about the conservation efforts being made to protect these magnificent creatures.

Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

On the south side of the Caribbean, this beautiful and ecologically rich national park in Latin America can only be described as paradise.

Follow the well maintained hiking trails through the rainforest on the lookout for monkeys and sloths with scenic coastal views before reaching the soft white sands, fringed with coconut palms. Off-shore, the vibrant coral reefs are teeming with bright tropical fish, rays, nurse sharks, and various types of sea turtles. The warm, clear waters are perfect for experiencing these creatures in their natural habitats through diving or snorkelling.

The culture and traditions in this region are rich, rooted in medicinal plants. Learn more about the indigenous Bribri culture and traditions through a hands-on course in traditional cacao cultivation, following the process from picking the pod to sampling the delicious chocolate it creates.

Iberá National Park, Argentina

Explore the world’s second largest wetland in northeast Argentina, where the tranquil waterways and scenic trails offer a peaceful escape into nature.

Trek among the rich tapestry of lakes, marshes, plains, and forests which are home to capybaras, marsh deer, and howler monkeys, as well as jaguars, tapirs, and giant anteaters which have been gradually reintroduced as part of a rewilding program.

The rewilding of Iberá National Park is a pioneering conservation effort, aiming to restore the native ecosystem by reintroducing keystone species that had vanished from the region. These efforts not only revive biodiversity but also empower local communities through ecotourism and sustainable development.

Canoe or boat down the winding rivers and try spot the 360 different bird species hidden in the foliage of the park. Some of the wildlife is better spotted in the dark, so night game drives are also an option here.

Galapagos National Park, Ecuador

The world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, located 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, is home to many endemic species totally unique to the archipelago, including the Galapagos giant tortoise, marine iguana, and several species of Darwin’s finches.

Explore the volcanic islands, with rugged cliffs and lava fields, where the wild beaches stretch for miles. The clear, blue waters are alive with marine life. Encounter colourful tropical fish, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, and even hammerhead sharks while snorkelling or diving amongst the coral reefs and underwater caves.

Weave in between the archipelago’s islets onboard your own sailboat, where you can enjoy Relais & Chateaux dining and relaxing on the sundeck, while watching sea lions and fur seals play in the turquoise ocean around you. As the skies begin to darken, gaze upwards for incredible views of the planets and constellations.

Each of the national parks in Latin America tell powerful stories of conservation, culture, and connection. Whether witnessing glacial calving in Patagonia, tracing the paths of rewilded jaguars in Iberá, or learning from indigenous communities in Costa Rica, these are experiences that stay with you.

At Journeys With Purpose, we design transformational travel experiences that deepen your understanding of the world and contribute to its protection. Every journey supports local conservation and community initiatives — with opportunities to engage first-hand along the way. Get in touch to find out more.

Contribute to Positive Impact on a Hosted Journey. Connect with Impact Partners around the world during a Private Experience. Journeys With Purpose offers immersive conservation and ethical travel experiences. Through private and hosted trips with pioneering conservationists, guests experience rewilding and restoring biodiversity in the wildest corners of the world. Our “Seven Worlds, One Planet” approach is a global curriculum focused on recovering and conserving vibrant landscapes, biodiversity, wildlife and livelihoods across all seven continents.

Feature Destination

Feature Destination – Journeys With Purpose: Restoring Island-Ocean Ecosystems in Palau

Visiting Palau has been one of the most remarkable and affirming experiences of my life. Spending hours in the ocean observing turtles, sharks, rays and a host of other marine species, including cuttlefish changing colour and form to their immediate environment, has proven to be one of the greatest joys and wonders in the world.

I grew up watching and entranced by the TV series ‘The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau’. Such was the impression Cousteau’s series made on me, as a very young child my first pet was called ‘Calypso’, after his fabled research vessel. My experiences in Palau brought back these vivid memories directly. With a particular snorkelling experience on this journey, a fellow traveller commented that this must be “the day you fell in love with sharks” – and it truly was.

Throughout the course of the last 12+ months, Journeys With Purpose has worked alongside the world-class organisations of Island Conservation and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, in association with Re:wild, on a ‘Restoring Island-Ocean Ecosystems’ journey to champion and support the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC).

The IOCC aims to restore at least 40 globally significant island-ocean ecosystems from ridge to reef by 2030 to benefit people, wildlife and our planet. This goal is delivering tangible action and successes, and signifying more widely the essential connection between island health and ocean health. Holistically restoring islands delivers outsized benefits for wildlife, oceans, people and climate impacts.

Key IOCC messages:

Healthy oceans need healthy islands
- island and marine ecosystem elements cycle into one another, sharing nutrients vital to the plants and animals within them. Invasive species damage these fragile ecosystems and work to remove these in order to restore balance and endemic species such as the Megapode bird is vital.
Everything is connected – Indigenous Peoples and local communities know this
- Indigenous Peoples and local communities have long understood and managed their natural resources in the context of island-to-sea connections. As Wayne Andrew, Micronesia Director of OneReef says “Community is not people alone. Community is a place, the reef. The respect of all that is so important”. This is rooted in their traditional knowledge and wisdom, including ancient oral stories such as the “Megapode Bird and Hawksbill Turtle”. It is essential to support local leadership and communities in the decisions they wish to make to protect these vital ecosystems.
Collaboration is essential
- taking a collective approach to sustainable science and the importance of collaboration with local communities to achieve more holistic results.
Emerging Science and Impact Monitoring
- global scalability of work informed by science. Emerging research shows people, wildlife and marine environments benefit when island-ocean connections are restored.
Islands are on the frontline of environmental crises
- a staggering 41% of critically threatened species are found on islands
- 27% of all languages come from island communities
- surrounding coral reefs are home to 25% of all marine life

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IOCC

We travelled with leadership from Palau’s local communities, Island Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and supporters of these organisations. The collective experience of our time with these communities, and snorkelling and diving, was quite remarkable – a true spirit of togetherness and bonding developed that we will treasure for the rest of our lives. And importantly to take forward into action.

My key takeaways are thus:

People make Places
- this is never more true than in Palau. There are approximately 20,000 local inhabitants on Palau’s islands, and they demonstrate an incredible bond, cohesiveness and strength together. This is brilliantly encapsulated by the local Hatohobei community, who rejected sizeable bribes to thwart a significant illegal fishing operation – “… we’re doing it for our people, for the future generations.”
Impact at Scale
- the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS), effective 1 January 2020 with support from the Palauan government and several NGOs, is one of the largest marine protected areas (MPA) in the world. It was the first MPA of its kind, protecting 80% of a country’s national waters in a fully protected no-take zone.
- the PNMS protects a vast array of marine life and unique geological features within its over 475,000 km2, an area larger than Germany, Japan, Iraq, Sweden, etc. Eight hundred marine vertebrate species call the PNMS home, including nearly 30 different marine mammals and 60 shark and ray species, though these numbers are likely underestimated, as the biodiversity of the PNMS remains understudied.
- all achieved with the spirit of just 20,000 Palauans.
Be Brave
- as above, the Palauans have been incredibly brave in their approach with their communities, natural environment and ambition. Very sadly, this is not the norm around the world, but is, however, a lesson for us all – trust our hearts and do the right thing to help deliver today a viable future. We must turn the currency of hope into the currency of action.

I have observed these three takeaways in the great conservation and rewilding endeavours around the world. It can be done. I urge us all, in the strongest possible manner, to support the work of the people of Palau, Island Conservation and Scripps Institution of Oceanography – brilliant people, doing brilliant work, in brilliant places. My eternal gratitude to our partners and supporters on this journey, and in particular to the exceptional dedication, hospitality and warmth of our local Palauan partners at Island Conservation Palau, Ebiil Society, OneReef, Koror State DCLE (Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement), Ngarchelong State Rangers and many others. Palau, officially the Republic of Palau, is an island nation in the Micronesia region of Oceania in the western Pacific, comprising an archipelago of over 350 islands. Little known to many of us, it is one of the most remarkable ecosystems and communities on Earth. Please connect here – connect@journeyswithpurpose.org – to understand how you can contribute, and visit Palau.

GET IN TOUCH TO START YOUR JOURNEY

A tribute to the people of Palau:- in memoriam to Prince LeeBoo of Palau, 1763 to 1784.

With the consent of his father King Ibedul of Koror, Prince LeeBoo departed Palau with Captain Henry Wilson and the crew of the Antelope to London, England on 12 November 1783. Whilst in London, Prince LeeBoo became Palau’s de facto ambassador of goodwill to England, and a scholar. However, LeeBoo’s plan of returning to Palau to spread knowledge and scientific discoveries to his people ended abruptly when the young prince succumbed to smallpox in the winter of 1784. The remains of Prince LeeBoo and his plans lay buried today in the courtyard of St. Mary’s church in Rotherhithe, London, England.

Despite the dilapidation of time, the spirit of Prince LeeBoo continues to live in the hearts of the people of Palau – their immense strength of community, positive impact and fortitude. His story, and purpose in life, remains widely told amongst the people of Palau today.

DISCOVER OUR HOSTED JOURNEYS

This article was retrived from Duncan’s Field Notes.

Journeys With Purpose offers immersive conservation and ethical travel experiences. Through private and hosted trips with pioneering conservationists, guests experience rewilding and restoring biodiversity in the wildest corners of the world. Our “Seven Worlds, One Planet” approach is a global curriculum focused on recovering and conserving vibrant landscapes, biodiversity, wildlife and livelihoods across all seven continents.