That happened just over a year ago as the result of decades of persistent beachgoers showing up, cleaning up, and doing what they could to make a difference.
In October 2025, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that the green sea turtle had moved from Endangered to Least Concern on its global Red List of Threatened Species. All of this happened directly as a result of conservation efforts. Over the 50 year span of time since the 1970s, green sea turtle population has increased approximately 28%. That is a significant shift and a major win in the sea turtle world.
We saw these magnificent sea creatures earlier this year in March on a snorkeling adventure we had in Cozumel in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef system in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Known as a destination for snorkeling and scuba diving, the waters off Cozumel gave us an memorable opportunity to see these and other marine animals in their home territory.
As stated above: green sea turtles didn't make this comeback alone. Efforts by beach bystanders have made a difference. These include beach cleanups and purposefully protecting nesting females and their eggs. Diminishing light pollution when hatchlings make their way to the sea have also helped strengthen turtle numbers. Likewise, so have community initiatives that curtail the sale of turtle trade and products. Fishing efforts have also helped, with one example being the creation of Turtle Excluder Devices which reduces the accidental capture of turtles in fishing gear.
All of these efforts led to the same goal, and ultimately the same big win.
All of that said: it's not a "one and done" type of celebration. Conservation efforts over the last five decades clearly made a difference... and clearly need to continue. Numbers are improving, but green sea turtle populations are still less abundant than they were centuries again. We need to keep up these winning sustainable practices to keep them around for centuries ahead. We need to keep fighting the good fight.
Additionally we need to think about how we can apply these recovery efforts toward other species that need our help. The persistent, patient work of people clearly is at play. As is the communal nature of conservation efforts. It takes our global village of everyone to make a difference... and we all benefit when we bring that collective vision of stewardship and hope together.
