Date: June 20th 2023
Author: César Arroyo and Adriana Lechuga 
Application made by: GroBios A.C. (Socio-ecological Projects for the Conservation and Protection of Biodiversity in Michoacán-Guerrero, Mexico).

Margarito Balbuena Soriano, from the city of Costa Chica in the State of Guerrero, Mexico, shares that his work in the conservation of leatherback began in the summer of 1987, as a member of the Social Service brigade in the Tortuguero camp called “El Rotrido”, in the municipality of Acapulco. In 1988 he joined the work protecting nesting sea turtles in the Piedra de Tlalcoyunque Sanctuary, municipality of Tecpan de Galeana, Guerrero.

In 1990, he became a technician in charge of the CETMAR 27 Tortuguero camp, participating in the protection activities of the different species of sea turtles and environmental education activities that take place on the Estero Colorado Beach in Guerrero. Since then, Mr. Balbuena has continued, without stopping in the work of the conservation of sea turtles.

Currently, Mr. Balbuena is in charge of the Sea Turtle Protection Program, where his work has allowed the integration of students from the school in the development of social service and environmental education activities aimed at nearby schools.