Conservation Science

YOU CAN’T PROTECT WHAT YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND. Conservation science seeks to discover new species, monitor existing life, and support the people of the region. Increasing understanding about this remote part of Mexico provides opportunities for conserving the Colorado River Delta, preserving rare sea turtles, and protecting the Cabo Pulmo Reef.

Deserts, mountains, and oceans create obstacles for collecting scientific data in the Gulf of California. Environmental Flying Service and Lighthawk overcome these obstacles through using aircraft to give us the big picture of view of conservation science. They perform species surveys, monitor development, and survey habitat. These services provide critical information to governmental agencies, journalists, and funders. Organizations such as these have partnered with the NGOs Sonoran Institute and Pronatura Noroeste in the Colorado River delta. The Sonoran Institute and Pronatura Noroeste work to study, restore, and increase water supply to a river burdened by exceptional demands. In addition, they work with the indigenous Cucapa people (in the U.S. and Mexico) to protect and monitor the river.

Grupo Tortuguero, based in La Paz, works throughout the region with local communities to preserve sea turtles. Along with the outreach work of Wildcoast, it has helped reduce the sales and consumption of turtle eggs—a traditional delicacy. Grupo Tortuguero also works with local fishermen to monitor sea turtle populations and to reduce sea turtle “by catch” mortality. One of many local Grupo Tortuguero members throughout northwest Mexico, the Seri Indian community works to monitor sea turtle populations and share this data with scientists in hope of preserving the species.

In the southernmost part of the Baja peninsula, the Cabo Pulmo reef provides a home to over 800 species of marine life. In 1995 it was declared a national park due in large part to a grassroots campaign run by the local community. In 2005, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many NGOs—including COBI, Reef Check, and ACCP—have worked with academic institutions such as the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and its Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation to monitor the changes in fish populations and wildlife in the park over time. Then in 2011, Scripps announced that based on scientific data that Cabo Pulmo National Park had become one of the most robust and successful marine reserves in the entire world with an over 400% increase in some populations since the park was created.

Looking forward for Cabo Pulmo, organizations like the International Community Foundation assists the local community organization ACCP and scientists to continue protecting Cabo Pulmo from threats and development.

The Mexican government also funds agencies like CONANP, INE, CONABIO and CONACYT to support conservation science in the Gulf of California. These agencies in turn work to produce high–quality environmental information and share it with NGOs and the public.

Conservation Science

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