SARAH LECUYER

Marine Turtle Project Coordinator, Galapagos

Why IOI: 

I truly believe in IOI’s values and the projects that the organisation is developing on the island. It is an organisation working with the community for the community, and I am proud to be part of it! 

My IOI role: 

As the Marine Turtle Project Coordinator, I am responsible for the scientific monitoring of the marine turtles using the Isabela Island beach to nest with the aim to better understand the population visiting our beaches.

Thanks to the help of our interns, volunteers and students, we collect data regarding the nesting behaviour, beach parameters, and threats in order to identify the difficulties the marine turtle population is facing on Isabela Island. We use this data to develop conservation measures with the National Park. I also collaborate with the community and implement environmental education activities in order to raise awareness. 

Life prior to IOI:

I lived all my childhood by the sea, in South East France. I met my first turtle when I was 5. I have always been passionate about the wildlife and sea so it was an obvious choice to study natural sciences. 

I started my Bachelor Degree in 2015 at Aix-Marseille University in Life and Earth Sciences. I had the opportunity to do a student exchange at the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada for one year. I fell in love with the Quebecers and in 2018, I decided to continue the experience by starting a Master Degree in Applied Ecology with a major in International Ecology at the same university. As part of the degree, I worked for 12 months on the evaluation and the development of a standardised methodology for the monitoring of marine turtles in Mahahual, south of Quintana Roo, Mexico. 

The circle was complete, I understood how strong my passion for the environment and biodiversity is - I wanted to work for its protection. 

Just me: 

I like being outside, going for a hike, doing apnea or scuba diving. With my camera, I try to capture the world around me. I love meeting new people and discovering new cultures, and I am still in to do something new.