Last February, Surf Town Beach Ultimate 2020 – as organised by Wayfield Ultimate Events – happened in San Juan, La Union.
Not Just a Party, but an Advocacy
Aside from the hip vibe and party scene of San Juan, La Union; Wayfield Ultimate Events has an advocacy to promote saving the sea turtles. La Union is known to be one of the nesting grounds of sea turtles. Due to the growing intensity of its local tourism for surfing and partying, the nesting areas of the turtles are getting smaller and smaller. Through this event, the organizers and local establishments like Kabsat want more people to be aware of the current state of the sea turtles and for them to have more respect when visiting the community.
(ALSO READ: HIDDEN GEMS IN LA UNION: WHERE TO EAT, WHERE TO STAY, AND WHAT TO DO)
Warm Weather and Climate Change
Did you know that a common thing that humans and sea turtles have is liking tropical weather? According to Encyclopædia Britannica, most sea turtles are carnivorous and prefer warm coastal marine environments. However, climate change affects the migration and the nests of sea turtles! Due to colder waters in some beaches, some sea turtles become stranded and are unable to swim back to their nesting grounds. In La Union, the hatching season of sea turtles is from September to March – around the same time as the influx of tourists.
(ALSO READ: LA UNION FOOD CRAWL GUIDE 2019)
SIFCare-CURMA Hatchery
Project Curma was established in 2009 with the help of the SIFCare (Science of Identity Foundation). CURMA is a public-private partnership of the Municipality of San Juan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Science of Identity Foundation. CURMA is a Pawikan Conservation and Protection Program, which aims to cross barriers.
Through its programs and activities, the organization teaches us that we are all spirit souls in different bodies. Since San Juan (alongside other parts of La Union) is a nesting ground of sea turtles, the area should always be protected. This is because sea turtles help regulate the number of jellyfish at the beach.
How can we help?
Keeping a healthy mind and body is important to us humans. But we also have to be mindful of our environment. Aside from being responsible tourists and disposing of our trash properly, there are cleanups done by local organizations and establishments such as the beachside café called Clean Beach Co. You can also do volunteer work with the SIFCare-CURMA Hatchery’s Turtle Power movement by volunteering to become beach patrols.
Events such as Surf Town Beach Ultimate 2020 are very helpful in making people aware of what is happening with the environment. We do hope that these advocacies will continue and prosper in as much as we want ourselves to be healthy inside and out!
SURF TOWN BEACH ULTIMATE 2020
https://www.facebook.com/events/547053112509423/?active_tab=discussion
KABSAT
https://www.facebook.com/kabsatlaunion
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