In the northeastern corner of Trinidad, the quiet village of Grand Rivière has turned its streetlights into a conservation tool.
The beach adjacent to the village is one of the world’s most critical nesting sites for leatherback sea turtles, the largest turtles on Earth.
During the March‑to‑August nesting season, the shoreline is illuminated by the glow of hundreds of turtles making their nightly pilgrimage to lay eggs.
Standard streetlights can confuse and disorient both nesting adults and hatchlings, but the community has installed low‑intensity red lights that are far less disruptive.
I first saw this approach in Costa Rica in 2008, and witnessing it in Trinidad feels like a full circle of conservation learning. It showcases how responsible tourism can protect wildlife while supporting local economies. Grand Rivière’s initiative is a shining example of community‑driven stewardship.