"Kudos to you for your excellent, and much-needed work!!" - Amy Robertson

2021 - 2023 Volunteer and Intern guide

ProTECTOR Inc. Volunteer/Intern Application for 2020 - 2023 in Word Here

"In Honduras, there’s much more to conservation than passing laws. However, there is reason for optimism that well-planned conservation efforts, can succeed. I partnered with ProTECTOR Inc., one of the few organizations in Honduras that is focusing on coupling scientific research and community development. ProTECTOR Inc. is working in a very difficult environment, attempting to combat the decline in turtle populations amidst the wide scale degradation of the entireecosystem. The members of ProTECTOR realize that sea turtles are one part of a complex system. Although I witnessed many discouraging things, I was also introduced to many individuals making remarkable progress. I collaborated with Honduran biologists passionate about saving their country’s natural resources and eager to introduce me to the scientific community in their country."

Lesley Roberson

"Just wanted to send a quick update. Yesterday I finished up with my 10 dives. I wanted to thank you for the opportunity. It's was great getting to see real world science and conservation at work. Very inspiring! It would be great to help your organisation where I can."

Kevin Mahoney

"While I was stationed on Guanaja as a ProTECTOR Inc. intern, I participated in the first surveys of the nesting population on the island and worked with the local people in educating them as to why sea turtles are so important.  It was an amazing experience to be able to help the community establish their own conservation program and see so many hawksbill sea turtles nest.  Besides working with the community, I was also conducting research on the visual capabilities of the hatchling hawksbills.  This was my favorite part of the trip, as working with hatchlings has always been a dream of mine.  I am thrilled to have been able to conduct my own research and help the local community grow in appreciation for the beautiful turtles they have in their waters.  I look forward to continuing my research on the sea turtles of Honduras as a graduate student at Loma Linda University and look forward to working with ProTECTOR Inc. in the future."

Robert Gammariello

Robert became a graduate student at LLU. See his page here.

"I had the opportunity to spend a little over a week with ProTECTOR this summer. Over my short time there, I was lucky enough to witness a hawksbill sea turtle false crawling in Utila, observe juvenile green and hawksbill behavior while diving in Roatan, explore the Bay Islands, and participate in meaningful research. What made this experience even more amazing was that I was able to share it with others who have the same passion for conservation as I do!"

Emily Hardin

My experience with ProTECTOR, Inc. was beyond measure an absolutely wonderful and life changing journey. Not only was I given the chance to jump out of my comfort zone and do things that I had never even dreamed of doing years before, but I was granted the ability to learn hands on and experience the underwater world and field biology first hand. Looking back there has truly been nothing more rewarding than spending my summer with ProTECTOR, Inc. Not only did I gain a great amount of insight into how deeply my love for biology is, but I found a deep passion for research. Dr. Dunbar allowed me to mold my very elementary skills and shaped me into the hopeful biologist I am today. I truly hope that any student that wishes or even thinks that they may want to take part in this immersive and amazing experience dive in and allow themselves the opportunity. There is nothing better than experiencing a new country and culture while diving under water and experiencing such a beautiful and undervalued world that so many people never get the chance to see.

I learned so much and had so much fun working on my research project and it would be nothing short of amazing to be included again. I'm insanely excited to see where the combined data lead us.

Ashlyn Lewis

"This summer, as an upcoming fourth year undergraduate student, I had the opportunity of interning for ProTECTOR Inc. in Roatán, Honduras. During my time in Roatán, I studied mutualistic and commensal feeding relationships between the Hawksbill sea turtle and various fish species. Participating in sea turtle research has shown me the importance of sea turtle conservation efforts. Conducting this research over the past summer has also broadened my scope of interest as I look toward to my future graduate studies. My time spent observing sea turtles in their natural habitat has been truly life changing. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share my experience and new understanding with others in the field. I also hope to attend and present our findings at the upcoming 2019 ISTS symposium with Dr. Dunbar and his graduate students."

Ashley Morrow

"Working with ProTECTOR, Inc. and Dr. Stephen Dunbar in Honduras was a great experience which helped me learn about marine vertebrates and reef ecosystems. I had many great opportunities to interact with endangered species and learn about common techniques used in conservation biology. Both seeing Dr. Dunbar and having the chance myself to interact with the local community members and NGOs, and assisting them in conservation activities were real highlights of the experience." 

Dustin Gienger

I became interested in traveling to Honduras after taking two of Professor Dunbar’s community courses at Loma Linda University. Though I am a nurse by trade, I grew up watching Jacques Cousteau and jumped at the opportunity to channel my inner marine biologist. Also, my father was a veterinarian and I’ve always enjoyed working with animals. During my time in Roatan, I was able to assist Prof. Dunbar with measurements, blood draws and observation of the turtles for injuries, parasites, and epibionts. It was very much a trip down memory lane assisting with the turtles. While my time in Roatan was focused on coral reef ecology and turtle conservation, the result of plastic pollution on the ecology of the coral reef had the most lasting impact on me.

One of the exams I assisted Prof. Dunbar was examining turtle scat. Prof. Dunbar walked me through the process of sifting through the scat with a makeshift strainer created by one of the ProTECTOR, Inc. Interns. Eventually through the process of sifting and cleaning off the solid material, remnants of coral sponges became evident. The study was to prepare the samples to potentially find tiny pieces of plastic that the turtle had ingested as a byproduct of the sponges. It is easy to discount the significance of plastic litter, however the reality of plastic finding its way into the food chain packs the most punch when it is observable in samples from an animal’s gastrointestinal tract. Of all of the experiences I had in Honduras, that one experience had the most impact on my life, and I have used that opportunity to educate my peers on the effects of plastic pollution.

Laura Freeman

"I spent 4 weeks as a ProTECTOR, Inc. Intern in Honduras, on the islands of Roatán and Utila. I spent around a week in Utila. While in Utila we would go out at night for around 8 hours and walk the beach. Here we were able to take blood samples from the turtles, take body measurements, tag the turtles, and document them nesting. In Roatán we would dive throughout the day, take stool samples from the turtles, and document their feeding. This trip was a great way to see how biological research is done and create many good memories and experiences." 

Mark Ollinik

"The time that I was able to spend in Honduras with ProTECTOR Inc. was priceless. I enjoyed every moment of this internship, and I learned a lot. Initially, I had several questions about what this internship would be like. Dr. Dunbar does keep everyone busy, and it can be hard work. However, there is so much to be learned about conserving marine wildlife, and this is a great way to gain hands-on experience. ProTECTOR Inc. does a fantastic job of educating not only interns and volunteers but has also put forth efforts to teach Hondurans and tourists about their work. During my time there, Dr. Dunbar started a series of talks open to the public explaining his work in Roatan and the Marine Reserve. This internship is a great option for anyone that is considering work in the marine sciences. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity and am looking forward to continuing my education in Marine Biology."

Nellie Covert

Nellie became a graduate student at LLU.

"I loved being able to be a ProTECTOR, Inc. Volunteer to save sea turtles! I really enjoyed learning about transect lines and all the steps needed to record information about a specific turtle. I helped the ProTECTOR, Inc. research team capture turtles, then tag them, weigh them, take blood samples from each one, and finally release them!
Just the fact that I was playing a small role in helping the sea turtle population in Roatan fills me with such joy. I hope I can be involved with Steve and his ProTECTOR, Inc. research team in the years to come, so I can continue to learn about, and contribute to, sea turtle conservation!"

Razvan Orban

"My trip to Roatán was a great experience. I was there working with ProTECTOR, Inc. for 4 weeks. We were diving 3 times a day, 6 days a week (if possible) gathering observation data of turtles before capturing and taking samples. The work we did with the sea turtles was amazing to be a part of and fun to work hands on with them. The trip as a whole was also a great learning experience. It really opened my eyes to what marine research is like. For students looking into biological research, this is a great trip to take to get a taste of what it’s like to be a researcher. Towards the end of the trip I suffered a minor ear injury from diving which caused vertigo leading to me missing out on the last week of diving. Along with my injury, Hurricane Dorian was hitting the Bahamas and Florida at that time, pulling currents from the island causing the water to become murky. Because of the bad conditions we decided to leave a week early. Even though we ran into some difficulties, the trip was still a great experience teaching me a lot." 

Stephen Wilkinson

"I’m so appreciative of this internship and the diverse experiences it provided me. I learned so much about sea turtles, the realities of scientific research, and the culture of the Bay Islands. This internship is truly unique in that you can develop your own project, help graduate students with their research, and get hands on experience with different sea turtle species. Before my month in Roatán, I was unsure about what direction I wanted to take my graduate education, but now I feel confident that marine sciences are right for me. I am looking forward to the future of ProTECTOR, Inc. and hope I can continue to be a part of it."

Tori Bolin

Tori became graduate student at LLU.

"Together with my son Sebastian (15) we spent a week volunteering with ProTECTOR, Inc. in Roatán, Honduras in Jun 2019. From the moment we initially contacted Steve for the application we were impressed by the level of attention and the time he put into answering all our questions and making us feel welcome and comfortable. Steve was detailed in his explanations, very patient, and helped us learn a lot about Hawksbill turtles, general scientific process, as well as managing the relation with the local community. We dived a lot, learned a lot and enjoyed every minute - all in all it was an unforgettable experience for my teenage son and his dad!"

Voicu Tulai

"Having the opportunity to be in Honduras for a month as an intern working alongside Dr. Dunbar and being able to work with the turtles was an experience that I will forever treasure. I was able to do things that many only dream of. While there, we ran into many problems that were not foreseen. But the cool thing about Dr. Dunbar and ProTECTOR, Inc. is that when working with them, you learn to be flexible and just kind of go with the flow. My favorite part of being in Honduras was being able to get my divers license and dive with the turtles, observing them underwater. Diving opened my eyes to a whole new world! I also enjoyed being able to spend time in Utila looking for nesting turtles and tagging them with the help of our friends at BICA. Getting to know the islanders and forming relationships with them over the time I was there was something that I found very rewarding as well."

Walker Johnson

"I had the opportunity to spend 4 weeks with ProTECTOR, Inc. as an intern in Roatan, Honduras. It was an unforgettable experience that was both educating and a lot of hard work. We did up to three dives every day for 6 days out of the week gathering data about both the coral reefs and the sea turtles. During the month I spent there, I was able to receive my open-water dive certification and also conduct  research on the symbiotic feeding relationship between the hawksbill sea turtle and different fish species. This experience allowed me to develop an appreciation for the complex relationships that are present in marine habitats and to understand the importance of conservation for sea turtles. If anyone is considering pursuing a career in the marine sciences, this internship with  ProTECTOR, Inc. is the best way to get a hands-on, rewarding experience."   

Zoe Aguila