Who are we?

SITMAR is made up of an international team of conservationists and ecologists who are dedicated to the protection of the environment. We are always striving to maximize our contribution to the conservation of wild places. After two years of working side by side our staff has become great friends and allies. By combining conservation and education we have been able to raise awareness about and protect important nesting habitat for sea turtles and their young. Together we are helping to conserve our natural resources.

Rachel Silverman
President

Conservationist and biologist from California. After graduating in 1998 from Humboldt State University, she accepted an internship with a migratory bird count study in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. After working in the Central American jungle for three months she returned to California to work with the National Forest Service Fisher Crew, but still she had Costa Rica on her mind and returned again in December, 1999. During her stay in Tortuguero she worked with migratory birds, sea turtles, and butterflies as well as leading tours from a jungle hotel. She started work for National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation in 2001 and helped out with many different sea turtle projects in Mexico, Florida and Costa Rica. She learned about Playa Rio Oro, Costa Rica, a beach with lots of nesting turtles, many threats and no protection. She quickly moved her efforts to protecting sea turtles on the Osa peninsula, and with help from National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation, she developed the conservation project of Carate, Rio Oro and Pejeperro beaches. Now she heads the SITMAR team of devoted environmentalists in the conservation program and development of Field Station Laguna Tortuga.

Fabian Andres Sanchez
Projects Cordinator

Ecologist from Colombia. In 1999, he started working on the “Determination of Habitats and Feeding Behavior of the Black Sea Turtle of the Pacific (Chelonia mydas agassizii) on Isla Gorgona in Pacific Colombia” in which his theoretical preparation and study about these marine reptiles was applied to a community project. Since then he has worked with many different sea turtle conservation projects around Central America and the Caribbean, focusing on community awareness and education. Fabian has been the instructor and developer of all our classroom and field trip activities. He is essential for our informational campaign and public relations. Fabian’s diligence and creativity have inspired the environmental education project working cooperatively with the conservation project. Fabian is the Environmental Education Director of SITMAR

Jason Murray
Vice President

24 year old naturalist and conservationist from Ontario, Canada. He has always had a keen interest in reptiles and amphibians. For more than 10 years, he was a herptoculturist studying animals in captivity and in the field. Jason is a self taught herpetological expert specializing in snakes. In 2000, Jason headed to Costa Rica on a 3-month photo expedition in Corcovado National Park. While camping in the rainforest of the Osa Peninsula for extended periods of time, he has gained a wealth of knowledge about Costa Rican flora, fauna and jungle living. In 2001 Jason began working with SITMAR’s conservation program conducting nightly beach surveys and organizing volunteer activities. Jason is dedicating his life to sea turtle conservation and environmental education in Carate at the SITMAR field station Laguna Tortuga. Jason is the Conservation Director of SITMAR.

Helberth Castro Ceron

Costa Rican raised in the Osa peninsula. He started working for SITMAR in May of 2002 and has been ever since. Helberth has become a dedicated sea turtle conservationist. From the hatchery to beach patrols, he does everything with a smile. His tireless work ethic and integrity have been the greatest asset to our Foundation and Project. Helberth is a crucial part of SITMAR.

Alvaro Francisco Ugalde

Alvaro Ugalde has had a long history of conservation in Costa Rica, being the founder of the parks sytem in the country. He is also the creator of Corcovado National Park [Fabian Andres Sanchez] 30 years ago and recently came out of retirement to come back to the Osa and head up conservation measures to help the area with problems. In 2004 Alvaro joined forces with SITMAR and is now working toward the protection of the sea turtles in Osa.

Ronny Montes

Ronny Montes is a local buisness man in the Osa who is interested in conservation and environmental education in the area. In 2004 Ronny combined efforts with SITMAR to help improve community relations.