Byrd, Rosaly

The legal egg harvesting of olive ridley marine turtles in Ostional, Costa Rica, has warranted much attention in the United States. Despite the evident ecological sustainability of the project and positive economic and social benefits for local residents in Ostional, observers in the U.S. have expressed criticism of this community-based conservation program. Such critics often express a preference for a "hands off' approach to turtle eggs as key to species' survival. This study assesses this geographic contrast in perception between two key factions in environmental thought--conservationism and preservationism--as they apply to such biodiversity conservation efforts. These points of view result in varying policies in different parts of the world, shaped by economic and cultural circumstances: Ostional's residents prioritize economic growth while Palm Beach County, Florida, highly values marine turtles. Depending on the socioeconomic context, different conservation approaches will be considered appropriate in different places.