The Leatherback Trust Inc.

“James R. Spotila and John Spotila (Board Members) have a family relationship. Margaret Kruesi and James Spotila (Board Members) are married.”

“All voting members of the Governing Board receive a copy of Form 990 before it is filed. The 990 is then reviewed by the President, the Treasurer, and Audit Committee and the administrative assistant.”

“The Organization makes its governing documents and financial statements available to the public upon request during regular business hours.”

“The Organization annually requests information from officers, directors, and key employees concerning interests that could give rise to financial conflicts.”

“The leatherback trust irs form 990 statement - part iii, line 1:the leatherback trust (tlt) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation with offices in fort wayne, in and san jose, costa rica as well as a field station in playa grande, costa rica. Its mission is to protect the endangered leatherback turtle, other endangered sea turtles, and freshwater turtles from extinction through a variety of creative means. Tlt was instrumental in the establishment and consolidation of las baulas national park on playa grande, playa ventanas and playa langosta, on the pacific coast of costa rica. The park encompasses the primary nesting beaches for the leatherback turtle in the eastern pacific ocean. Tlt participates in the acquisition of properties that are within the park, in defending the integrity of the park, and in stopping development and other activities that threaten the integrity of the park and the survival of the leatherback turtle. Tlt has developed a close working relationship with the park administration and the natural areas system (sinac) of the ministry of the environment and energy (minae), in order to protect the turtles and their nests from illegal activities and to enforce park regulations. Protection in the national park has improved considerably in the last few years. In 2016, tlt worked with minae to create and install 17 official metal signs reminding visitors of las baulas national park rules (including no dogs).tlt also worked with these other costa rican government agencies in 2016: tempisque conservation area (act), costa rica tourism board (ict), servicio nacional de aguas subterraneas, riego y avenamiento (senara), and asociacion del acueducto de agua (asada). Tlt also worked with the following costa rican ngos: instituto de monteverde, centro cientifico tropical de puntarenas, kuemar, instituto de oceanologia.protecting the endangered leatherback in complicated and time-consuming. It involves carefully patrolling the most critical 3 miles of beach during the nesting season, which lasts from approximately october 15 through march 15. It involves measuring and tagging every nesting turtle, counting every egg laid, and removing to a guarded hatchery eggs from nests that are below the high-water line on the beach. It involves guarding every hatchling from predators, on their way into the pacific ocean. It involves measuring the temperature of nests during the 60-65 days it takes the eggs to hatch, and making every effort to protect the nests from predators. It involves educating the guanacaste community about the value of the turtles, their nests, and the life cycle of the east pacific leatherback turtle, which has existed for over 100 million years. Tlt has worked with the citizens of guanacaste to align their economic interests with the preservation of las baulas national park and the leatherback turtle. Tlt acquires significant goods and services locally, and conducts english language and other education efforts in local communities. Our community outreach manager worked with las baulas park officials to develop a survey tool that meets costa rica's blue flag ecological standards for measuring trash in las baulas national park and the beach received blue flag certification in 2016. Tlt co-sponsored the 2016 baulas festival in the park with the neighboring community of matapalo. As a result of support to local communities, poaching of eggs from nests within the park has ended. Former poachers have become ecotourism guides, and tlt works closely with the guides to patrol the beaches and allow small groups of tourists to witness nesting sea turtles under tightly controlled conditions. Tlt supports local pottery and other crafts throughout guanacaste, funds research at several beaches outside of playa grande and playa ventanas, and works in numerous other ways to build strong educational, economic and other relationships with the citizens of costa rica. In 2016, tlt expanded communications to spanish speakers throug”