By Elizabeth Scarlett Petrides, Founder & Creative Director

For the past three years, through our Turtle Collections, our community has helped fund Blue Marine Foundation’s vital conservation efforts. Every purchase supports a dedicated ranger team on Ascension Island - a remote and magical place in the South Atlantic Ocean that’s home to one of the world’s most important nesting sites for endangered green turtles.

Few people even know Ascension exists. But this volcanic island, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and free from commercial tourism, is a beacon of hope and a global model for marine conservation. I recently had the life-changing opportunity to visit the island and meet the extraordinary people working to give these turtles a fighting chance.

My travel diary:
Day by day

Day 1: Touchdown & Turtle Team

After a long night flight on a military plane (yes, that was an adventure in itself!), I arrived at dawn on Ascension Island - truly one of the most remote places on Earth. I was greeted by Tiffany, the island’s brilliant conservation director, and then met the heart of the mission: our turtle ranger team; Emma, Emma and Stefan.

These three work tirelessly day and night, rescuing stranded turtles, protecting vulnerable hatchlings, and monitoring thousands of nesting sites. I brought along some Elizabeth Scarlett turtle pouches and gifts, which to my surprise are sold in the island’s tiny gift shop - our most remote retail partner yet!

“ Ascension Island is one of the last places on Earth where turtles are safe from hunting - a rare sanctuary where nature still has a fighting chance.”

Day 2: Turtle Rescue Under the Stars

That morning, I joined the team on a beach patrol to help rescue turtles trapped on the rocky shoreline. Some of these gentle giants weigh over 200kg so lifting and guiding them safely back to sea is no easy feat. Later, we raked the beaches - a vital task in the conservation process.

Raking clears the sand and highlights new turtle tracks and nest sites, making it easier to count and monitor activity. This data is crucial for protecting both eggs and hatchlings. That night alone, more than 500 turtles had come ashore to nest - a truly incredible sight!

As darkness fell, we watched tiny hatchlings emerge from the sand and make their moonlit journey toward the sea. It was breathtaking and bittersweet - only 1 in 1,000 will survive to adulthood. Witnessing that made everything feel very real.

“ Only 1 in 1,000 turtles will survive to adulthood - watching those hatchlings race to the sea brought that heartbreaking truth to life.”

Day 3-5: Wildlife Wonders & Island Life

Ascension is more than just a turtle haven - it’s a thriving ecosystem. Whilst the island holds the South Atlantic’s largest green turtle nesting aggregation, it’s also home to rare seabirds, flourishing coral reefs, and unique volcanic landscapes

I hiked through Green Mountain’s misty bamboo forests, visited thriving seabird colonies (now booming thanks to the removal of invasive cats), and spotted dolphins and turtles from a research boat out at sea. The whole island feels like a sanctuary - a living example of what happens when nature is prioritised and protected.

One evening, we had a BBQ on the beach, sharing fresh local food and stories under the stars. It was a beautiful moment of connection with both people and place. The turtle team shared their joy at the season’s success - up to 584 turtles nesting in a single night. That’s hope, made visible.

Why this work matters

“ The whole island feels like a sanctuary - a living example of what happens when nature is prioritised and protected.”

This trip reminded me just how precious and fragile these wild places are - and how much effort and love goes into protecting them. I’m endlessly grateful to the team at Blue Marine Foundation and everyone at Ascension Island Conservation Department for sharing their knowledge and welcoming me into their world.

At Elizabeth Scarlett, our mission has always been to create beautiful, meaningful pieces that give back to the natural world. We believe in using business as a force for good - to fund conservation, spark awareness, and help protect the wild beauty that inspires every design.

Every piece in our Turtle Collection helps fund the dedicated ranger team on Ascension Island. When you shop, you’re not just getting a beautiful item -  you’re supporting real, on-the-ground conservation efforts that give these endangered turtles a chance to thrive.

Shop the Turtle Collection

*Each year, Elizabeth Scarlett commits a minimum of £42,000 to fund turtle conservation projects in Ascension and the Dutch Caribbean. This works out as £2.10 from the sale of each item. The commitment includes funding for five turtle rangers during nesting seasons, as well as for signage and education in the local communities. These teams help protect approximately 2 million turtle hatchlings per year.