Valdemar da Silva Brazão collects turtle eggs from Mariquinha beach to prevent them from being stolen. He carefully collects 41 eggs and takes them to an artificial hole to incubate until they hatch. Valdemar is a volunteer environmental agent who protects the local turtle population and teaches children in the nearby community about conservation.

1. © WWF-Brasil / Zig Koch The view from Mariquinha beach, near the Gaspar community .

2. © WWF-Brasil / Zig Koch Valdemar da Silva Brazão arrives at Mariquinha beach at the end of the day .

3. © WWF-Brasil / Zig Koch One by one, he carefully collects turtle eggs, to prevent them from being stolen.

4. © WWF-Brasil / Zig Koch Valdemar takes the 41 eggs collected to an artificial hole, until they all hatch.

5. © WWF-Brasil / Zig Koch Valdemar is a volunteer environmental agent .

6. © WWF-Brasil / Zig Koch During the day, he takes the children to the school, in Gaspar community.

7. © WWF-Brasil / Zig Koch Valdemar next to an arabá ( Swartzia sp ).

8. © WWF-Brasil / Zig Koch Valdemar, father to 10 children, shows his clearing.

9. © WWF-Brasil / Zig Koch The plaque of “preservation area” was installed by the dwellers in Mariquinha beach.