Crowd-funding the Tequila Toast at Grupo Tortuguero's Quinceanera

Many of you know that next weekend we celebrate the 15th anniversary of one of the world's most successful grassroots ocean conservation networks, Grupo Tortuguero.

We'll meet for the 15th time in Loreto, where GT was started in a small room back in early 1999.

From our initial gathering of a few dozen people, the network has grown to include thousands of people and dozens of new community-based organizations in more than 50 communities spanning the coast of Mexico.

Each year we get together to share data, stories, songs, techniques, successes and failures. GT members range from 5 to 95 years old.

The good news is that as a result, sea turtle populations in the region have been on the rise. We have a long way to go, but thanks to the hard work of all the members of the GT network things are looking up.

In Latin America, when a young woman turns 15, the party is called a Quinceañera, and it's a very big deal.

Typically, the father pays for the party or at least for the toast.

So, in true Quinceañera spirit, I'm bringing the tequila.

We'll raise a glass together and make a toast to the next 15 years of sea turtle and community health.

The GT team has made some great commemorative glasses for everyone. My job is just to bring what goes in them.

By my calculations, approximately 500 people will need around 30 bottles at approximately $20 per bottle.

My goal is to crowd-fund the Grupo Tortuguero Tequila Toast.

You can sponsor a bottle ($20) or an individual toast ($1). Or if you are a tequila maker, feel free to get in touch ASAP!

Thank you for participating in the Grupo Tortuguero's Quinceañera, it only happens once in a lifetime!