Eco-Alianza
Join us to protect the beauty of Loreto and ensure its inspiration for generations. Your presence at the GALA is more than a celebration; it's a commitment to a sustainable and vibrant future for Loreto. It will be an unforgettable evening! CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR RESERVATION |
The weather has finally turned! It’s as if nature has a switch that shifts the often-brutal summer heat into the delightful autumn season. No more sweltering temps above 100 degrees! More comfortable days and pleasant nights welcoming so many friends and family back to Loreto.
Just in time for our ANNUAL ECO-ALIANZA 16TH GALA & FUNDRAISER, November 11, 2023, at Hotel La Misión. We're thrilled to invite you to Eco-Alianza's 16th Fundraising GALA, "Save the Treasures We Love for Future Generations," in partnership with La Mision Hotel. This enchanting evening will be nothing short of magical, with stunning decorations setting the stage for an unforgettable event. Indulge in an exquisite dinner, hit the dance floor to the DJ’s beats, and dive into a dynamic auction filled with enticing items, from guided tours to luxurious overnight experiences, all enhancing your appreciation of Loreto's natural beauty. We have exciting new live auction opportunities, including a seaside villa cooking demonstration for 12 by La Mision's head chef, sumptuous meals, spa getaways, golf outings, and a catered cruise through the Bay of Loreto National Park, and more! Unique silent auction items from local businesses will adorn your home, along with beautiful jewelry by our talented local designer. Peek into the world of the 2023 GALA Auction with a preview of some remarkable opportunities, all graciously donated to support Eco-Alianza's conservation programs. Explore and start planning your bids! Simply click the following link: https://event.auctria.com/2332521f-a617-426c-8630-dd318af2680c/a780d600ec2e11e9ae081db830846aa5 Stay tuned for more surprises, but know that your support makes a world of difference. |
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We are pleased to share this great News from Loreto. July 19, 2023
At the recent gala celebration of the 27th Anniversary of the Bay of Loreto National Park (PNBL), Dr. Victor Sanchez Cordero presented the 'Certificado de Lista Verde de la UICN' to the Bay of Loreto National Park. It was announced that the Park has been Certified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (UICN) as a "Green Listed" site, one of 77 protected sites globally certified and recognized as achieving ongoing results for people and nature in a fair and effective way.
In addition, a Letter of Understanding was signed between the H.X. Ayuntamiento de Loreto (the municipality), and two work agreements for the preservation of the La Negrita Wetland were signed by Pronatura Noroeste and Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. Many citizens from the Loreto Community were in attendance to witness this monumental achievement.
The Green List is a global campaign for successful nature conservation. At its heart is the Green List Sustainability Standard.
Invited to participate at this landmark Park Anniversary event in recognition of Eco-Alianza's many years of Park collaboration and support: M. en C. Yvo Arias Salorio, Board President, L.C.P. Carlos Posadas Solano, Executive Director, Kathy Mitchell, Board Secretary, Chuck Mitchell, Advisory Board, Linda Kinninger, Co-founder/Treasurer, Board of Directors, Anthony (Tony) Kinninnger, Co-founder, Advisory Board.
About the 'Green List':
Any protected and conserved area that gains "Green List" status demonstrates:
Respect: for the local community through fair and meaningful engagement of rights-holders and stakeholders.
Design: planning that identifies the needs to secure the important values of the area
Effective management: monitoring of the status of these important values
Successful conservation results: for nature and for people
Clean contribution: to climate change responses, health and well-being and other challenges.
The IUCN Green List Standard is a globally applicable Standard. It provides an international benchmark for quality that motivates improved performance and achievement of conservation objectives and is under review every five years. At the heart of the IUCN Green List initiative is a globally applicable Standard. It provides an international benchmark for quality that motivates improved performance and achievement of conservation objectives.
The seventeen criteria for Certification collectively describe the efforts needed to fully achieve the global Sustainability Standard and all must be achieved for green-listing. The indicators can be adapted to suit the local context.
By committing to meet the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas Standard, Loreto site managers must demonstrate and maintain performance and deliver real nature conservation results.
Quote from IUCN:
"The future of life on Earth depends on our efforts to nurture and protect nature, on land and in the seas, the impacts of population growth, industrialisation, production and consumption patterns are pushing our planet's boundaries to the limit. We are threatening our very existence through an accelerated loss of ecosystems, wild species and natural processes. We are degrading terrestrial and marine ecosystems beyond recovery, and we are only just beginning to see the real impacts of the climate crisis.
However we can hope for change, and dream of a greener future. There is already a strong community of men and women fighting against environmental loss in and around protected and conserved natural areas worldwide. They live in remote and wild areas, in the countryside, in cities, in forests, mountains and savannahs, along our coasts and on islands, and out into the seas and oceans."
After 16 years since its founding, Eco-Alianza continues its strong commitment to support initiatives that conserve the natural wonders of the Bay of Loreto Park, its islands and wetlands, its mountains and deserts to preserve the quality of life for all its citizens and future generations.
"Never think that a small group of committed people can't change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead
At the recent gala celebration of the 27th Anniversary of the Bay of Loreto National Park (PNBL), Dr. Victor Sanchez Cordero presented the 'Certificado de Lista Verde de la UICN' to the Bay of Loreto National Park. It was announced that the Park has been Certified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (UICN) as a "Green Listed" site, one of 77 protected sites globally certified and recognized as achieving ongoing results for people and nature in a fair and effective way.
In addition, a Letter of Understanding was signed between the H.X. Ayuntamiento de Loreto (the municipality), and two work agreements for the preservation of the La Negrita Wetland were signed by Pronatura Noroeste and Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. Many citizens from the Loreto Community were in attendance to witness this monumental achievement.
The Green List is a global campaign for successful nature conservation. At its heart is the Green List Sustainability Standard.
Invited to participate at this landmark Park Anniversary event in recognition of Eco-Alianza's many years of Park collaboration and support: M. en C. Yvo Arias Salorio, Board President, L.C.P. Carlos Posadas Solano, Executive Director, Kathy Mitchell, Board Secretary, Chuck Mitchell, Advisory Board, Linda Kinninger, Co-founder/Treasurer, Board of Directors, Anthony (Tony) Kinninnger, Co-founder, Advisory Board.
About the 'Green List':
Any protected and conserved area that gains "Green List" status demonstrates:
Respect: for the local community through fair and meaningful engagement of rights-holders and stakeholders.
Design: planning that identifies the needs to secure the important values of the area
Effective management: monitoring of the status of these important values
Successful conservation results: for nature and for people
Clean contribution: to climate change responses, health and well-being and other challenges.
The IUCN Green List Standard is a globally applicable Standard. It provides an international benchmark for quality that motivates improved performance and achievement of conservation objectives and is under review every five years. At the heart of the IUCN Green List initiative is a globally applicable Standard. It provides an international benchmark for quality that motivates improved performance and achievement of conservation objectives.
The seventeen criteria for Certification collectively describe the efforts needed to fully achieve the global Sustainability Standard and all must be achieved for green-listing. The indicators can be adapted to suit the local context.
By committing to meet the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas Standard, Loreto site managers must demonstrate and maintain performance and deliver real nature conservation results.
Quote from IUCN:
"The future of life on Earth depends on our efforts to nurture and protect nature, on land and in the seas, the impacts of population growth, industrialisation, production and consumption patterns are pushing our planet's boundaries to the limit. We are threatening our very existence through an accelerated loss of ecosystems, wild species and natural processes. We are degrading terrestrial and marine ecosystems beyond recovery, and we are only just beginning to see the real impacts of the climate crisis.
However we can hope for change, and dream of a greener future. There is already a strong community of men and women fighting against environmental loss in and around protected and conserved natural areas worldwide. They live in remote and wild areas, in the countryside, in cities, in forests, mountains and savannahs, along our coasts and on islands, and out into the seas and oceans."
After 16 years since its founding, Eco-Alianza continues its strong commitment to support initiatives that conserve the natural wonders of the Bay of Loreto Park, its islands and wetlands, its mountains and deserts to preserve the quality of life for all its citizens and future generations.
"Never think that a small group of committed people can't change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead
Summer Turns to Fall
Amazing how quickly this year has flown past, and we’ve had so many wonderful changes and opportunities arise in both Eco-Alianza and our beloved city of Loreto. We continue to expand our message of conservation both in and outside of our region, to meet our goal of creating healthy and vibrant communities by empowering civil society and government to protect and conserve our natural and cultural environment. Our formal partnerships between Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto, Channel Islands National Park and the University of California Natural Reserve System further this mission.
Our current strategies include:
Amazing how quickly this year has flown past, and we’ve had so many wonderful changes and opportunities arise in both Eco-Alianza and our beloved city of Loreto. We continue to expand our message of conservation both in and outside of our region, to meet our goal of creating healthy and vibrant communities by empowering civil society and government to protect and conserve our natural and cultural environment. Our formal partnerships between Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto, Channel Islands National Park and the University of California Natural Reserve System further this mission.
Our current strategies include:
- Center for Environmental Studies (CEMA)
- Sustainable Fisheries and Resource Management & Loreto Coastkeeper
- Watershed Protection Campaign – Environmental Education
- Loreto Ideal
- Sister Cities Initiatives
SOUNDINGS
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
SPECIAL EDITION 2021
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities.
Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
Eco-Alianza Hosts International Summit for
Centro de Estudios del Medio Ambient – CEMA–– a US-Mexico Institutional CollaborationIt starts with an idea and a dream. A dream of a research field station in Loreto, BCS, born of international partnerships and alliances, a hub bustling with the activities of researchers, students, professors, journalists, and scientists from across the globe. A dream of an educational center to support exploration of the physiological treasures in the region, create a baseline of information upon which to build a data bank, and extend an awareness and understanding of the Baja peninsula.
In late October, thirty-nine participants from Mexico and the United States gathered at Eco-Alianza’s headquarters, the Community Center for the Environment, CenCoMA for three days of collaboration and exploration how best to manifest the dream. Through a series of presentations, workshops, and break-out discussion groups, strategies were developed to carry the dream to a reality. A partnership between the University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS) and Eco-Alianza de Loreto formalized in 2019, established the Loreto region as a Sister Reserve within the constellation of UCNRS reserves and field stations. The UCNRS network has set a global standard for promoting conservation and research, and a major goal of CEMA is to bring that proven model to Baja California Sur. Nestled between the Parque Nacional Bahia de Loreto, and the Sierra de La Giganta, the location offers endless untapped opportunities for new discoveries.
“The CEMA partnership holds the promise to support constant scientific research to provide critical understanding for conservation management, strengthening the connection between scientific knowledge and local influence in the conservation of sustainable socio-ecological systems.”
– Hugo Quintero, Executive President/CEO, Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
SPECIAL EDITION 2021
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities.
Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
Eco-Alianza Hosts International Summit for
Centro de Estudios del Medio Ambient – CEMA–– a US-Mexico Institutional CollaborationIt starts with an idea and a dream. A dream of a research field station in Loreto, BCS, born of international partnerships and alliances, a hub bustling with the activities of researchers, students, professors, journalists, and scientists from across the globe. A dream of an educational center to support exploration of the physiological treasures in the region, create a baseline of information upon which to build a data bank, and extend an awareness and understanding of the Baja peninsula.
In late October, thirty-nine participants from Mexico and the United States gathered at Eco-Alianza’s headquarters, the Community Center for the Environment, CenCoMA for three days of collaboration and exploration how best to manifest the dream. Through a series of presentations, workshops, and break-out discussion groups, strategies were developed to carry the dream to a reality. A partnership between the University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS) and Eco-Alianza de Loreto formalized in 2019, established the Loreto region as a Sister Reserve within the constellation of UCNRS reserves and field stations. The UCNRS network has set a global standard for promoting conservation and research, and a major goal of CEMA is to bring that proven model to Baja California Sur. Nestled between the Parque Nacional Bahia de Loreto, and the Sierra de La Giganta, the location offers endless untapped opportunities for new discoveries.
“The CEMA partnership holds the promise to support constant scientific research to provide critical understanding for conservation management, strengthening the connection between scientific knowledge and local influence in the conservation of sustainable socio-ecological systems.”
– Hugo Quintero, Executive President/CEO, Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
READ MORE >>
Day One of the Summit focused on “Context Analysis.” Objectives for the day included identifying barriers and obstacles that researchers and their institutions face in the field, elements that facilitate fieldwork in a research project, and defining the role of a field station. Dr. Omar López Cruz, Researcher at the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics, opened the conversation with an inspiring presentation, “Science and Society: Is there a Link?” He explored historical references related to research and posed questions such as, “What do black holes have to do with security?” Dr. Miguel Ángel Ojeda Ruiz de la Peña, UABCS, spoke of scientific investigations underway within the UABCS system, ranging from habitat conservation to economic and social concerns and contributions. Biol. Benito Bermúdez, Regional Director, CONANP, and Dr. Sergio Hernández Trujillo, CICIMAR-IPN, discussed collaborative models for research work.
READ MORE >>
Day Two of the Summit focused on “The Design of the Field Station Model.” Objectives included: Defining the role of a field station for successful research, looking at various models of field stations at other sites, defining the benefits of a field station such as CEMA, and building models of operations for a field station to satisfy the needs of the attendees.
READ MORE >>
Afternoon break-out sessions challenged small groups of participants to reach into the future and describe CEMA at the end of the coming year. The exercise focused on translating the Summit presentations into actionable items in areas such as marketing, funding, research projects, community outreach, university participation, and physical facilities. The summations of these sessions were presented to the re-gathered group.
READ MORE >>
Day Three was spent touring the shoreline of Isla Coronado on the “Wild Swan,” as guests of the Kinninger’s. Lunch was served on the beach, along with presentations from M.C. Israel Popooca, PNBL-CONANP, M.C. Everardo Mariano, ReBiVi-CONANP, about the challenges facing both the Loreto Bay Marine Park and the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve along with a discussion of their wealth of resources. Ph.D. John Rebman, San Diego Natural History Museum, and Veronica Zamora, DEICIR Durango – IPN, provided guided tours of the area adjacent to the beach, identifying plant species and discussing their value to the habitat, including a visit to a local bat cave.
READ MORE >>
Loreto Mayor, La Presidenta, M.C. Paola Cota Davis, spoke during the luncheon. She expressed her gratitude for all the contributions that Eco-Alianza has made to the city of Loreto, and her support and excitement for the future of CEMA.
Day One of the Summit focused on “Context Analysis.” Objectives for the day included identifying barriers and obstacles that researchers and their institutions face in the field, elements that facilitate fieldwork in a research project, and defining the role of a field station. Dr. Omar López Cruz, Researcher at the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics, opened the conversation with an inspiring presentation, “Science and Society: Is there a Link?” He explored historical references related to research and posed questions such as, “What do black holes have to do with security?” Dr. Miguel Ángel Ojeda Ruiz de la Peña, UABCS, spoke of scientific investigations underway within the UABCS system, ranging from habitat conservation to economic and social concerns and contributions. Biol. Benito Bermúdez, Regional Director, CONANP, and Dr. Sergio Hernández Trujillo, CICIMAR-IPN, discussed collaborative models for research work.
READ MORE >>
Day Two of the Summit focused on “The Design of the Field Station Model.” Objectives included: Defining the role of a field station for successful research, looking at various models of field stations at other sites, defining the benefits of a field station such as CEMA, and building models of operations for a field station to satisfy the needs of the attendees.
READ MORE >>
Afternoon break-out sessions challenged small groups of participants to reach into the future and describe CEMA at the end of the coming year. The exercise focused on translating the Summit presentations into actionable items in areas such as marketing, funding, research projects, community outreach, university participation, and physical facilities. The summations of these sessions were presented to the re-gathered group.
READ MORE >>
Day Three was spent touring the shoreline of Isla Coronado on the “Wild Swan,” as guests of the Kinninger’s. Lunch was served on the beach, along with presentations from M.C. Israel Popooca, PNBL-CONANP, M.C. Everardo Mariano, ReBiVi-CONANP, about the challenges facing both the Loreto Bay Marine Park and the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve along with a discussion of their wealth of resources. Ph.D. John Rebman, San Diego Natural History Museum, and Veronica Zamora, DEICIR Durango – IPN, provided guided tours of the area adjacent to the beach, identifying plant species and discussing their value to the habitat, including a visit to a local bat cave.
READ MORE >>
Loreto Mayor, La Presidenta, M.C. Paola Cota Davis, spoke during the luncheon. She expressed her gratitude for all the contributions that Eco-Alianza has made to the city of Loreto, and her support and excitement for the future of CEMA.
M.C. Paola Cota Davis, municipal president, and Dr. Omar Lopez unveiling the name “Loreto Puerto de la Ciencia” during the closing ceremonies at Plaza Salvatierra of the CEMA International SUMMIT
“The international summit to discuss and plan for the new CEMA was exciting
and productive! It was great to interact with so many different people from Mexico, hear more about how the Loreto field station can support and facilitate their work, and to work through how CEMA can address some of the challenges to doing field work in the region.”
–Suzanne Olyarnik, Ph.D., Reserve Director, Bodega Marine Reserve
A farewell breakfast closed the CEMA Summit on Sunday morning. Presentations and group session proposals are being collating for inclusion in an on-line database, staff is busy establishing mileposts and guidelines for follow-up, and planning a second international summit for 2022.
www.ecoalianzaloreto.org/about-cema/
“The international summit to discuss and plan for the new CEMA was exciting
and productive! It was great to interact with so many different people from Mexico, hear more about how the Loreto field station can support and facilitate their work, and to work through how CEMA can address some of the challenges to doing field work in the region.”
–Suzanne Olyarnik, Ph.D., Reserve Director, Bodega Marine Reserve
A farewell breakfast closed the CEMA Summit on Sunday morning. Presentations and group session proposals are being collating for inclusion in an on-line database, staff is busy establishing mileposts and guidelines for follow-up, and planning a second international summit for 2022.
www.ecoalianzaloreto.org/about-cema/
SOUNDINGS
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering
civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities. Our vision is that communities
believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
SEPTEMBER 2021
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering
civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities. Our vision is that communities
believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
One Ocean Film Festival Provides Funding for 2021
Greetings from Loreto! Eco-Alianza’s 2020 and early 2021 programs and events posed unique challenges for all of us on how to connect with family and friends. We sincerely miss seeing many of you in person.
We learned, like the rest of the world, to do business as usual given the circumstances, but in a different way. Some of Eco-Alianza’s major conservation programs were temporarily suspended due to health restrictions.
In this issue of SOUNDINGS, we are including some projects and programs “behind the scenes” carried out by our staff, with the support of the Board of Directors, under the leadership of Hugo Quintero, Executive President and CEO.
In this September issue, we are also introducing some of our collaborators, sharing reports of their primary program responsibilities, and will follow up with more in our November issue.
ECO-ALIANZA AND GRUPO TORTUGUERO DE LAS CALIFORNIAS PARTNERS FOR SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION IN THE LORETO BAY NATIONAL PARK, by Brenda Garcia.
[http://]One of Eco-Alianza’s long term goals is the restoration of priority species within the Bay of Loreto National Park. Sea turtles are one of the priority species. A five-year collaboration agreement was signed with Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias A.C. to work on the conservation of sea turtles through coordinated actions.
Working with Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias, we have established a monitoring program of sea turtles in feeding areas in the park. During three field trips, eight turtle species were captured, tagged, and registered: four hawksbill and four green turtles. Monitoring of feeding areas will continue monthly. Recently, Park staff reported fourteen sea turtle nesting sites on our shore beaches and islands.
READ MORE >>
NATURE SQUAD, by Alma RicoThe Nature Squad was born as a project where the different groups that were facilitated by Eco Alianza de Loreto, join forces, and make a more efficient use of the resources they have. What does that mean? That it is a group that is not only made up of young people but includes people of all ages. We distinguish ourselves because, although we all work for the same goals, each subgroup or badge, as we call it, does it in a different way. There are those who participate as volunteers in different projects and activities, they help the different coordinators in the logistics of the events.
Sixteen students who are part of the badge called Tech and Data worked every week for more than two months to acquire knowledge about Computer Science, through different platforms such as, AWS Educate (Amazon Web Services), the Hour of Code, and Minecraft Educative. Three Eco-Alianza trainers, Helden, Jennifer and Alma, explain the concepts and sequences to allow them to understand cloud services, artificial intelligence and machine learning, developing in them their Mindware. In the next phase of training in September, and with the necessary prior knowledge, we will begin with the development of projects based on these technologies.
Originally, teachers who were part of the Network of Environmental Educators of Loreto (REAL) are now integrated into the Nature Squad, along with new participants, within the Mentor badge. This means that in addition to the activities they have already been doing within their workspaces, they now also collaborate to strengthen the capacities of other ambassadors.
We all have knowledge to share, and now members of the REAL as part of the Squad are looking for ways to go beyond curricula and classrooms. Wishing that our actions can be reflected around us.
READ MORE >>
Sixteen students who are part of the badge called Tech and Data worked every week for more than two months to acquire knowledge about Computer Science, through different platforms such as, AWS Educate (Amazon Web Services), the Hour of Code, and Minecraft Educative. Three Eco-Alianza trainers, Helden, Jennifer and Alma, explain the concepts and sequences to allow them to understand cloud services, artificial intelligence and machine learning, developing in them their Mindware. In the next phase of training in September, and with the necessary prior knowledge, we will begin with the development of projects based on these technologies.
Originally, teachers who were part of the Network of Environmental Educators of Loreto (REAL) are now integrated into the Nature Squad, along with new participants, within the Mentor badge. This means that in addition to the activities they have already been doing within their workspaces, they now also collaborate to strengthen the capacities of other ambassadors.
We all have knowledge to share, and now members of the REAL as part of the Squad are looking for ways to go beyond curricula and classrooms. Wishing that our actions can be reflected around us.
READ MORE >>
Mujeres del Golfo SCPP – Women-led fishing cooperative,
By Nidia Ramirez The “Cooperativa Pesquera del Golfo, SCPP” is a cooperative of nine women dedicated to fishing activities from the community of Ligüí, 35 kilometers south of Loreto. This group of women decided in 2000 to organize themselves and start fishing activities, as a way of earning an income and financially supporting their families. Even though in the community the idea of women working, let alone in an activity that seems exclusive to men, was not well received.
The main activity of the cooperative is the capture and sale of aquarium marine species. This activity is carried out in accordance with government regulations and is intended to promote responsible fishing.
They have also participated in ecological monitoring that contributes to the knowledge of the state of health of the ecosystems in the Bahia de Loreto National Park.
READ MORE >>
By Nidia Ramirez The “Cooperativa Pesquera del Golfo, SCPP” is a cooperative of nine women dedicated to fishing activities from the community of Ligüí, 35 kilometers south of Loreto. This group of women decided in 2000 to organize themselves and start fishing activities, as a way of earning an income and financially supporting their families. Even though in the community the idea of women working, let alone in an activity that seems exclusive to men, was not well received.
The main activity of the cooperative is the capture and sale of aquarium marine species. This activity is carried out in accordance with government regulations and is intended to promote responsible fishing.
They have also participated in ecological monitoring that contributes to the knowledge of the state of health of the ecosystems in the Bahia de Loreto National Park.
READ MORE >>
ECO-ALIANZA joins AWS-EDUCATE – Helping to reduce the digital divide in Loreto, By Helden Velis.Technology has become an integral part of our life, more people in Loreto are utilizing digital platforms every day with more online activities to engage with the majority connecting through a smartphone. However, not everyone has equal access to digital services, particularly in rural regions, where the digital divide deepens the gap exacerbated by socio-economic status. Health precautions established during the pandemic, as well as limits on workspaces, has expedited the use of digital platforms, remote work, and digital education. As a result, COVID-19 has increased community awareness of the current digital divide. This is a challenge for Eco-Alianza as well, and the task now is to assist our community adapt to the digital gap by making technology simpler to use and embrace during and after the pandemic, discovering strategies to bridge the digital divide, and encouraging the use of technology in the interest of a more resilient community.
Part of our Nature Squad program, the Technology Badge consists of educating and training activities to reduce the digital divide within our region, promoting the use of cloud technology, by providing open access to comprehensive resources for building skills and accelerate cloud learning, preparing communities to transitioning their livelihoods into the cloud-enabled era.
READ MORE >>
Part of our Nature Squad program, the Technology Badge consists of educating and training activities to reduce the digital divide within our region, promoting the use of cloud technology, by providing open access to comprehensive resources for building skills and accelerate cloud learning, preparing communities to transitioning their livelihoods into the cloud-enabled era.
READ MORE >>
COMING SOON – WHAT’S NEXT AND EXCITING – ON THE HORIZON FOR LORETO?
Eco-Alianza staff photo
CEMA Committee at UC Davis, Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory, October, 2019
Left to right – Roy Shlemon, Rob Ortega, Catharine Cooper, Suzanne Olyarnik, Kathy Mitchell, Nicholas Pinter, Chuck Mitchell, Hugo Quintero, Linda Kinninger, Tony Kinninger
Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. will develop CEMA, and international field station in partnership with the University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS)The establishment of CEMA will provide educators, students, and researchers around the world with the opportunity to participate in scientific research and data collection. These studies are critical for conservation management and the development of best practices to protect our marine, island, coastal and inland environments.
READ MORE >>
Eco-Alianza staff photo
CEMA Committee at UC Davis, Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory, October, 2019
Left to right – Roy Shlemon, Rob Ortega, Catharine Cooper, Suzanne Olyarnik, Kathy Mitchell, Nicholas Pinter, Chuck Mitchell, Hugo Quintero, Linda Kinninger, Tony Kinninger
Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. will develop CEMA, and international field station in partnership with the University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS)The establishment of CEMA will provide educators, students, and researchers around the world with the opportunity to participate in scientific research and data collection. These studies are critical for conservation management and the development of best practices to protect our marine, island, coastal and inland environments.
READ MORE >>
SAVE THE DATE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 HOTEL LA MISIÓN
ECO-ALIANZA’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA CELEBRATING
14 YEARS OF CONSERVATION!Don’t miss our Annual Celebration of Eco-Alianza’s conservation programs. This year’s event returns to the fabulous ballroom of the Hotel La Misión. With cocktails, appetizers, dinner from the talented cuisine of La Misión and dancing to some of your favorite songs. Silent and live auctions will awaken your shopping appetites. This year, Bill Phelps, a retired professional auctioneer, will direct the live action, aided and instigated by his side kick, Loren Dick. The newly transplanted Loretana, Caryl Cantrell, is the president of our Gala Committee. She previously led the Sister City’s relationship with Ventura.
The details of the reservations will be on available online by September 15th, and through our SOUNDINGS newsletter.
Your friendship and support make our work possible, improving the environmental education of local youth, the result of which will continue for years to come! We look forward to celebrating with old friends and making new ones!
Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. will develop CEMA, an International Field Station, in partnership with the University of California Nature Reserve System. One of our lifelong supporters, Jim Gries, generously donated his home in Loreto to Eco-Alianza. The net proceeds from the sale of this house directly benefit the new Eco-Alianza project, CEMA, an international cooperation between the United States and Mexico. The proceeds will be used as “seed money” to establish the CEMA (Research Center for the Environment) adjacent to Eco-Alianza headquarters.
The two-bedroom, two-bathroom house is just two blocks from the beach and features mature fruit trees, a large garden and a view of the Sea of Cortez. Space to add a swimming pool and park a boat, or a motor home.
For more information, click here: https://misionloreto.com/two-bedroom-two-bath-home-only-2-blocks-from-the-beach-in-loreto-baja-sur/
Or contact:
Jill Jackson – Misión Loreto Properties, Loreto
US Phone: 530.786.4395
MÉXICO # 613.118.2207
email: [email protected]
Calendar 2022 – Available now! Eco-Alianza’s beautiful 2022 Calendar is already in production and will be available for purchase after September 1st.
(Cover photo and back cover with image of Rick and the 12 months)
For more details or to place an order, please visit the Eco-Alianza web site: www.ecoalianzaloreto.org
These special calendars with amazing images by Rick Jackson make a beautiful holiday gift for family and friends. Please order early to give enough time for priority mail delivery by our volunteers.
Visit the Eco-Alianza website to find out where you can buy calendars in Loreto.
Your friendship and support make our work possible, improving the environmental education of local youth, the result of which will continue for years to come! We look forward to celebrating with old friends and making new ones!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 HOTEL LA MISIÓN
ECO-ALIANZA’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA CELEBRATING
14 YEARS OF CONSERVATION!Don’t miss our Annual Celebration of Eco-Alianza’s conservation programs. This year’s event returns to the fabulous ballroom of the Hotel La Misión. With cocktails, appetizers, dinner from the talented cuisine of La Misión and dancing to some of your favorite songs. Silent and live auctions will awaken your shopping appetites. This year, Bill Phelps, a retired professional auctioneer, will direct the live action, aided and instigated by his side kick, Loren Dick. The newly transplanted Loretana, Caryl Cantrell, is the president of our Gala Committee. She previously led the Sister City’s relationship with Ventura.
The details of the reservations will be on available online by September 15th, and through our SOUNDINGS newsletter.
Your friendship and support make our work possible, improving the environmental education of local youth, the result of which will continue for years to come! We look forward to celebrating with old friends and making new ones!
Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. will develop CEMA, an International Field Station, in partnership with the University of California Nature Reserve System. One of our lifelong supporters, Jim Gries, generously donated his home in Loreto to Eco-Alianza. The net proceeds from the sale of this house directly benefit the new Eco-Alianza project, CEMA, an international cooperation between the United States and Mexico. The proceeds will be used as “seed money” to establish the CEMA (Research Center for the Environment) adjacent to Eco-Alianza headquarters.
The two-bedroom, two-bathroom house is just two blocks from the beach and features mature fruit trees, a large garden and a view of the Sea of Cortez. Space to add a swimming pool and park a boat, or a motor home.
For more information, click here: https://misionloreto.com/two-bedroom-two-bath-home-only-2-blocks-from-the-beach-in-loreto-baja-sur/
Or contact:
Jill Jackson – Misión Loreto Properties, Loreto
US Phone: 530.786.4395
MÉXICO # 613.118.2207
email: [email protected]
Calendar 2022 – Available now! Eco-Alianza’s beautiful 2022 Calendar is already in production and will be available for purchase after September 1st.
(Cover photo and back cover with image of Rick and the 12 months)
For more details or to place an order, please visit the Eco-Alianza web site: www.ecoalianzaloreto.org
These special calendars with amazing images by Rick Jackson make a beautiful holiday gift for family and friends. Please order early to give enough time for priority mail delivery by our volunteers.
Visit the Eco-Alianza website to find out where you can buy calendars in Loreto.
Your friendship and support make our work possible, improving the environmental education of local youth, the result of which will continue for years to come! We look forward to celebrating with old friends and making new ones!
SOUNDINGS December 2020
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
Awards Ceremony Honors Trudi Angell,
Eco-Alianza, Donors, and Supporters
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
Awards Ceremony Honors Trudi Angell,
Eco-Alianza, Donors, and Supporters
Although Eco-Alianza’s traditional anniversary GALA wasn’t possible this year due to Covid-19 precautions, an outdoor awards ceremony last month honored Trudi Angell, this year’s recipient of Eco-Alianza’s Environmental Stewardship Award (commonly referred to as “Conservationist of the Year”).
In presenting the award, last year’s recipient, Rick Jackson, acknowledged Trudi’s decades-long dedication to the wonders of Loreto’s natural and cultural environment. Reading from a certificate presented to Trudi at the event:
“For inspiring a sense of wonder worthy of the unique natural and cultural resources of the region, and for unwavering commitment to strengthening the conservation ethic in Baja California Sur, we commend Trudi Angell for more than 40 years of exceptional leadership. With the determined pace of a mule and the rhythmic strokes of her sea kayak, Trudi has offered visitors and Loretanos alike an intimate perspective and an unmatched personal knowledge of the cultural and natural riches of the Baja peninsula and its surrounding waters. Her appreciation is infectious, whether exploring rock art canyons, rustic ranch culture and history, endemic marine and terrestrial species of animals and plants, or the tranquility of a Baja campsite. Through all her involvement, including service on Eco-Alianza’s Board of Advisors, Trudi has enriched us all.”
READ MORE >>
Eco-Alianza Wraps Up Food Security Program, Having Served More than Half of Loreto’s Population
Eco-Alianza President and CEO Hugo Quintero recently submitted to the International Community Foundation (ICF) Eco-Alianza’s final report on our “Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Progam for the Unemployed.” As you probably recall, the program began in early April in response to the sudden unemployment of a huge percentage of Loreto’s workforce. When part-year residents and tourists vacated Loreto due to pandemic precautions, tourism-related jobs suddenly dried up, Loreto became a virtual ghost town, and thousands of workers were suddenly left with no income to support their families.
In response to similar scenarios up and down the peninsula, Christy Walton’s Alumbra Innovations Foundation (through ICF) offered NGOs on the Baja peninsula a 2:1 challenge match for donations raised and used to address food insecurity caused by the pandemic. In less than a month, Eco-Alianza had designed a program, sent out an emergency appeal to its supporters, received more than 350 donations, screened its initial set of applicants, and begun distributing food. The program grew exponentially, lasting a full six months instead of two, and involved its entire staff of 10 working primarily out of their homes (see articles from the last three issues of Soundings). The staff worked at full salary, funded entirely by donations raised at last year’s anniversary GALA.
READ MORE >>
“Holiday Gift Catalog” Offers Giving Options to Support
Eco-Alianza Programs, SpreadYour Environmental Ethic
In response to similar scenarios up and down the peninsula, Christy Walton’s Alumbra Innovations Foundation (through ICF) offered NGOs on the Baja peninsula a 2:1 challenge match for donations raised and used to address food insecurity caused by the pandemic. In less than a month, Eco-Alianza had designed a program, sent out an emergency appeal to its supporters, received more than 350 donations, screened its initial set of applicants, and begun distributing food. The program grew exponentially, lasting a full six months instead of two, and involved its entire staff of 10 working primarily out of their homes (see articles from the last three issues of Soundings). The staff worked at full salary, funded entirely by donations raised at last year’s anniversary GALA.
READ MORE >>
“Holiday Gift Catalog” Offers Giving Options to Support
Eco-Alianza Programs, SpreadYour Environmental Ethic
We’re hopeful that during the holidays you’ll have time to reflect on meaningful priorities — families, friends, and the causes that we all care about. As we enter the holiday season at Eco-Alianza, we’re focusing on the great team we have built, and the impactful programs that you have helped us to implement.
Rather than fill the stockings of friends and family this year with a bunch of “stuff,” we’re hopeful that you’ll consider sharing with them your commitment to the natural wonders of Loreto. To that end, below is Eco-Alianza’s “gift catalog” — four convenient gift suggestions we hope you will consider — selections for which you don’t have to go anywhere, and each of which supports a conservation cause you care about:
$50 2021 Gift Membership to Eco-Alianza de Loreto, AC
Your gift will reflect your environmental commitment throughout 2021. Your recipient will receive our bi-monthly Soundings eco-newsletter as well as advance notification of Eco-Alianza special events. Please include the name and email address of your giftee in the “comment” section when you donate. We will electronically provide your recipient with a handsome membership certificate, including your name and theirs. Or, if you prefer to print it out yourself and deliver it, please just let us know in the comment section when you donate. Please Donate Now.
$150 "Adopt" a Sea Turtle
Your funds will be earmarked to support Eco-Alianza's work to conserve and support sea turtles within the Bay of Loreto National Park. You or your specified recipient will receive a beautiful certificate acknowledging your gift, as well as a stunning, 8x10 close-up image of a sea turtle hatchling entering the surf for the first time. Limited-edition print is signed, matted, and numbered by renowned wildlife photographer Richard Jackson. First 10 donors will also receive a Tortugas Marinas booklet provided by the Park, profiling the 5 sea turtle species within the Park. If given as a gift, please provide the name and email address of your giftee in the comment section when you donate. Your packet can be picked up at Eco-Alianza or we'll mail it to a U.S. Address. Please Donate Now.
READ MORE >>
Journalists from The Guardian and Scientists Produce Podcast
Featuring Loreto’s Blue Whales, Eco-Alianza
Rather than fill the stockings of friends and family this year with a bunch of “stuff,” we’re hopeful that you’ll consider sharing with them your commitment to the natural wonders of Loreto. To that end, below is Eco-Alianza’s “gift catalog” — four convenient gift suggestions we hope you will consider — selections for which you don’t have to go anywhere, and each of which supports a conservation cause you care about:
$50 2021 Gift Membership to Eco-Alianza de Loreto, AC
Your gift will reflect your environmental commitment throughout 2021. Your recipient will receive our bi-monthly Soundings eco-newsletter as well as advance notification of Eco-Alianza special events. Please include the name and email address of your giftee in the “comment” section when you donate. We will electronically provide your recipient with a handsome membership certificate, including your name and theirs. Or, if you prefer to print it out yourself and deliver it, please just let us know in the comment section when you donate. Please Donate Now.
$150 "Adopt" a Sea Turtle
Your funds will be earmarked to support Eco-Alianza's work to conserve and support sea turtles within the Bay of Loreto National Park. You or your specified recipient will receive a beautiful certificate acknowledging your gift, as well as a stunning, 8x10 close-up image of a sea turtle hatchling entering the surf for the first time. Limited-edition print is signed, matted, and numbered by renowned wildlife photographer Richard Jackson. First 10 donors will also receive a Tortugas Marinas booklet provided by the Park, profiling the 5 sea turtle species within the Park. If given as a gift, please provide the name and email address of your giftee in the comment section when you donate. Your packet can be picked up at Eco-Alianza or we'll mail it to a U.S. Address. Please Donate Now.
READ MORE >>
Journalists from The Guardian and Scientists Produce Podcast
Featuring Loreto’s Blue Whales, Eco-Alianza
Back in February, a team from London’s The Guardian newspaper visited Loreto with a team of scientists to interview Blue Whale scientists and try to capture sounds made by the whales in the waters near Loreto. Ultimately, they produced a three-part podcast broadcast earlier this month. The third episode features an interview with Eco-Alianza President Hugo Quintero.
Listen to the half-hour episode HERE.
2021 Calendars Now Available in Loreto Stores
Listen to the half-hour episode HERE.
2021 Calendars Now Available in Loreto Stores
Eco-Alianza’s 2021 Calendar, featuring astounding landscapes and wildlife images by photographer Richard Jackson, is now available by mail and in Loreto shops near you, as well as at Eco-Alianza’s downtown headquarters. Loreto comes to life in these photos, so they make the perfect gift!
SAVE THE DATE
December 18, 2020
Online Fund Drive for
2021 Programs
Final Day For "Gift Catalog" Donations To Be Processed
before Christmas
December 31, 2020
Final Day for 2020
Tax-Deductible Donations
April 23/24, 2021
One Ocean Film Festival
in celebration of Earth Day 2021
November 13, 2021
Eco-Alianza 14th
Anniversary GALA
December 18, 2020
Online Fund Drive for
2021 Programs
Final Day For "Gift Catalog" Donations To Be Processed
before Christmas
December 31, 2020
Final Day for 2020
Tax-Deductible Donations
April 23/24, 2021
One Ocean Film Festival
in celebration of Earth Day 2021
November 13, 2021
Eco-Alianza 14th
Anniversary GALA
Soundings May/June 2020 Caring for the People of Loreto
If we are going to protect Loreto and this One Ocean, we see now more than ever we cannot just treat the symptoms. The center of it all is sustainable economic development and food security. Caring for people and building community through the shared ethic of conservation has been Eco-Alianza’s core mission from the beginning.
If we are going to protect Loreto and this One Ocean, we see now more than ever we cannot just treat the symptoms. The center of it all is sustainable economic development and food security. Caring for people and building community through the shared ethic of conservation has been Eco-Alianza’s core mission from the beginning.
Photo courtesy of Richard Jackson
As reported to Eco-Alianza’s big-hearted supporters earlier this month, Eco-Alianza’s fundraising effort on behalf of the Temporary Food Security Program for Unemployed Workers (due to the Pandemic) was matched 2:1 in collaboration with the International Community Foundation (ICF) www.icfdn.org. Eco-Alianza is pleased to advise we can now reveal that ICF’s anonymous challenge donor is Christy Walton, who for decades has generously supported sustainable community programs, especially in Baja California Sur. Learn more about Christy, her vision and mission, and Christy’s philanthropy, at www.ialumbra.com .
The kindness and generosity to the Temporary Food Security Program has given hope and optimism to all Loretanos, and Eco-Alianza is incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support and for your trust in us to carry forth your intent to care for the people of Loreto.
We reported that during its first month, the food voucher program provided 1,122 workers and their “member families” with twice-monthly despensas (food “pantries”) containing 21 types of food and cleaning products, and that going forward the despensas will contain 24 products. We mentioned that funding projections were being calculated for the balance of the temporary program, which will continue through the end of August. Thanks to Christy Walton, Hugo Quintero’s projections indicate the program’s outreach will nearly double again, to 2,116 families. The average family size of the program’s member families is 3.9, meaning critical nutritional support is being provided to more than 8,250 Loretanos.
During the pandemic, Christy Walton’s support of BCS families has extended to communities in all five municipalities, with numerous groups and their programs benefitting from the $500,000 USD gift Christy contributed through her 2:1 “challenge match.” Learn more about the alliance of participating groups by visiting https://www.acbcs.org.mx/en .
As reported to Eco-Alianza’s big-hearted supporters earlier this month, Eco-Alianza’s fundraising effort on behalf of the Temporary Food Security Program for Unemployed Workers (due to the Pandemic) was matched 2:1 in collaboration with the International Community Foundation (ICF) www.icfdn.org. Eco-Alianza is pleased to advise we can now reveal that ICF’s anonymous challenge donor is Christy Walton, who for decades has generously supported sustainable community programs, especially in Baja California Sur. Learn more about Christy, her vision and mission, and Christy’s philanthropy, at www.ialumbra.com .
The kindness and generosity to the Temporary Food Security Program has given hope and optimism to all Loretanos, and Eco-Alianza is incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support and for your trust in us to carry forth your intent to care for the people of Loreto.
We reported that during its first month, the food voucher program provided 1,122 workers and their “member families” with twice-monthly despensas (food “pantries”) containing 21 types of food and cleaning products, and that going forward the despensas will contain 24 products. We mentioned that funding projections were being calculated for the balance of the temporary program, which will continue through the end of August. Thanks to Christy Walton, Hugo Quintero’s projections indicate the program’s outreach will nearly double again, to 2,116 families. The average family size of the program’s member families is 3.9, meaning critical nutritional support is being provided to more than 8,250 Loretanos.
During the pandemic, Christy Walton’s support of BCS families has extended to communities in all five municipalities, with numerous groups and their programs benefitting from the $500,000 USD gift Christy contributed through her 2:1 “challenge match.” Learn more about the alliance of participating groups by visiting https://www.acbcs.org.mx/en .
Eco-Alianza Executive President Hugo Quintero states “In our interactions with our program’s beneficiary members, all of them have expressed sincere gratitude to the generous donors who made this happen. For them the help has brought hope for their families in a time of high uncertainty.” Eco-Alianza Treasurer Linda Kinninger also expresses her thanks, pointing out that working cooperatively with the state and local government, and other local groups, Eco-Alianza was able to play a critical role supporting workers who became unemployed through no fault of their own.
“We expect to continue our working partnerships with the municipality and with other groups as tourists return later this summer and fall and as the temporary food security program winds down,” Linda says. “We’ve been honored to partner with Eco-Alianza’s donors, ICF, and Christy Walton to provide support in such an impactful way for all the member families in our beloved Loreto.” As Loreto establishes a “new normal,” she says, “we will be there to continue embracing sustainability and to celebrate with the community the unique natural resources of the region.”
“It can’t be overstated how deeply grateful we are for Christy Walton’s overwhelming commitment to the residents of Baja California Sur, and especially to the working families of Loreto,” Linda says. “Over several decades, Christy time and again has shown a deep appreciation for the culture and the traditions of the region, and has financially supported innovative solutions to sustain the region and its people through the 21st century and beyond. By issuing this extraordinarily generous fundraising challenge match, Christy helped ensure that nonprofit organizations would put forth maximum effort to provide nutrition and health care for the people of the region,” Linda says. “We’ve been so proud to partner with Christy and with ICF in this program, and are deeply touched every single day as we witness the appreciation in the faces of Loreto’s families and in the family pride of its capable workers.”
Additional donations to the food security program may be made online through the Eco-Alianza website at ecoalianzaloreto.org . Individual questions are welcome and may be emailed to [email protected] .
“We expect to continue our working partnerships with the municipality and with other groups as tourists return later this summer and fall and as the temporary food security program winds down,” Linda says. “We’ve been honored to partner with Eco-Alianza’s donors, ICF, and Christy Walton to provide support in such an impactful way for all the member families in our beloved Loreto.” As Loreto establishes a “new normal,” she says, “we will be there to continue embracing sustainability and to celebrate with the community the unique natural resources of the region.”
“It can’t be overstated how deeply grateful we are for Christy Walton’s overwhelming commitment to the residents of Baja California Sur, and especially to the working families of Loreto,” Linda says. “Over several decades, Christy time and again has shown a deep appreciation for the culture and the traditions of the region, and has financially supported innovative solutions to sustain the region and its people through the 21st century and beyond. By issuing this extraordinarily generous fundraising challenge match, Christy helped ensure that nonprofit organizations would put forth maximum effort to provide nutrition and health care for the people of the region,” Linda says. “We’ve been so proud to partner with Christy and with ICF in this program, and are deeply touched every single day as we witness the appreciation in the faces of Loreto’s families and in the family pride of its capable workers.”
Additional donations to the food security program may be made online through the Eco-Alianza website at ecoalianzaloreto.org . Individual questions are welcome and may be emailed to [email protected] .
Bay of Loreto National Park Receives CONANP’s Top Ranking in
Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Mexico’s Protected Natural Areas
In the first week of May, the Bay of Loreto National Park received an amazing distinction when México’s National Commission on Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) and the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) released the results of a long-awaited comprehensive evaluation of management effectiveness of the country’s Protected Natural Areas (ANP’s).
Out of 129 ANP’s evaluated, only eight nationwide received the highest management effectiveness rating, that of “sobresaliente” or Outstanding. The Bay of Loreto National Park (PNBL) was one of the eight, and the only one in its region, Baja Peninsula and North Pacific. PNBL, in fact, was one of only two national parks in the country to receive the highest rating. The other protected areas to receive the sobresaliente distinction are Biosphere Reserves or other types of designated protected areas. The other national park to receive the sobresaliente rating is the Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park in the Western and Central Pacific Region.
México has gone through a decades-long process to develop CONANP’s evaluation process, based on information gleaned from several international conservation-oriented conventions. The permanent evaluation system, called i-efectividad, is a combination and revision of four international methodologies from diverse countries. The process was finalized in 2017, began to be implemented in early 2018, and this first round of evaluations was completed in April 2020, taking into consideration several years of data. The evaluation process is now permanent, and will be repeated periodically.
The i-efectividad evaluation process considers five major components: Context and Planning; Administrative and Financial; Uses and Benefits; Governance and Social Participation; and Management. The five components are further broken down to evaluate 48 indicators for each Protected Natural Area, divided among the five components. The evaluation results in an overall Index of Effectiveness for each ANP.
The 95-page Report of the Evaluation of Management Effectiveness of ANPs of México shows results for each ANP, and its score for each of the five evaluation components. The report is available here:
https://simec.conanp.gob.mx/efectividad.php
PNBL’s director, Israel Popoca, said he is proud of the Park’s 11 staff members but is also quick to credit the community and all users of the Park for its success. “The Bay of Loreto National Park is not only the employees of CONANP, it is all the people who use the Park and value it,” he said.
Israel called Eco-Alianza “key partners in the management of this ANP,” citing its “work in environmental education, water quality testing, fostering the identity of the local community with the Park, being the link with the resident community, supporting monitoring activities, and showing the Park’s biodiversity through Richard Jackson’s magnificent images, among other things.”
Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Mexico’s Protected Natural Areas
In the first week of May, the Bay of Loreto National Park received an amazing distinction when México’s National Commission on Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) and the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) released the results of a long-awaited comprehensive evaluation of management effectiveness of the country’s Protected Natural Areas (ANP’s).
Out of 129 ANP’s evaluated, only eight nationwide received the highest management effectiveness rating, that of “sobresaliente” or Outstanding. The Bay of Loreto National Park (PNBL) was one of the eight, and the only one in its region, Baja Peninsula and North Pacific. PNBL, in fact, was one of only two national parks in the country to receive the highest rating. The other protected areas to receive the sobresaliente distinction are Biosphere Reserves or other types of designated protected areas. The other national park to receive the sobresaliente rating is the Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park in the Western and Central Pacific Region.
México has gone through a decades-long process to develop CONANP’s evaluation process, based on information gleaned from several international conservation-oriented conventions. The permanent evaluation system, called i-efectividad, is a combination and revision of four international methodologies from diverse countries. The process was finalized in 2017, began to be implemented in early 2018, and this first round of evaluations was completed in April 2020, taking into consideration several years of data. The evaluation process is now permanent, and will be repeated periodically.
The i-efectividad evaluation process considers five major components: Context and Planning; Administrative and Financial; Uses and Benefits; Governance and Social Participation; and Management. The five components are further broken down to evaluate 48 indicators for each Protected Natural Area, divided among the five components. The evaluation results in an overall Index of Effectiveness for each ANP.
The 95-page Report of the Evaluation of Management Effectiveness of ANPs of México shows results for each ANP, and its score for each of the five evaluation components. The report is available here:
https://simec.conanp.gob.mx/efectividad.php
PNBL’s director, Israel Popoca, said he is proud of the Park’s 11 staff members but is also quick to credit the community and all users of the Park for its success. “The Bay of Loreto National Park is not only the employees of CONANP, it is all the people who use the Park and value it,” he said.
Israel called Eco-Alianza “key partners in the management of this ANP,” citing its “work in environmental education, water quality testing, fostering the identity of the local community with the Park, being the link with the resident community, supporting monitoring activities, and showing the Park’s biodiversity through Richard Jackson’s magnificent images, among other things.”
Service Providers Begin to Welcome Tourists and Part-Year Residents Back to Loreto
Just as communities in the United States and Canada are beginning to ease Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, Loreto and other BCS communities are taking concrete steps to create a “new normal” that includes tourism that embraces pandemic safety while also allowing access. We reported in the first week of June that the “Punto Limpio” program for restaurants and hotels already had begun training programs for hospitality workers throughout BCS. More than 95 businesses in Loreto already had registered.
Restaurants and hotels are now opening up with limited seating and occupancy restrictions and the “ley seca” (dry law) has been eased, allowing beer and liquor purchases from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Takeout dining service was already widely available, and now dine-in service is beginning in more and more restaurants each week, currently allowing seating at up to 30 percent of a restaurant’s previous capacity. Restaurant and hotel association personnel have said the health and safety training programs have been extremely popular, to protect workers as well as patrons.
Alaska Airlines is currently offering service to Loreto from Los Angeles on Thursdays and Saturdays, with a special one-way fare of $119 USD. Visit www.AlaskaAir.com for reservations and for information on airport and flight procedures.
Just as communities in the United States and Canada are beginning to ease Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, Loreto and other BCS communities are taking concrete steps to create a “new normal” that includes tourism that embraces pandemic safety while also allowing access. We reported in the first week of June that the “Punto Limpio” program for restaurants and hotels already had begun training programs for hospitality workers throughout BCS. More than 95 businesses in Loreto already had registered.
Restaurants and hotels are now opening up with limited seating and occupancy restrictions and the “ley seca” (dry law) has been eased, allowing beer and liquor purchases from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Takeout dining service was already widely available, and now dine-in service is beginning in more and more restaurants each week, currently allowing seating at up to 30 percent of a restaurant’s previous capacity. Restaurant and hotel association personnel have said the health and safety training programs have been extremely popular, to protect workers as well as patrons.
Alaska Airlines is currently offering service to Loreto from Los Angeles on Thursdays and Saturdays, with a special one-way fare of $119 USD. Visit www.AlaskaAir.com for reservations and for information on airport and flight procedures.
And while you’re making reservations, please mark your calendar for Eco-Alianza’s two signature events, the One Ocean Film Festival (now slated for October 16 and 17) and the 13th Anniversary GALA, on November 14, at Hotel La Misión.
Staff and volunteers are busily securing donated items and experiences for the GALA live auction, which supports all Eco-Alianza programs. If you have a suggestion or would like to discuss donating an item or experience, please email [email protected] .
Staff and volunteers are busily securing donated items and experiences for the GALA live auction, which supports all Eco-Alianza programs. If you have a suggestion or would like to discuss donating an item or experience, please email [email protected] .
And here’s a special sneak preview just to get you thinking. If it’s a unique tranquil setting you’re after, you’ll want to secure your vacation stay at Elena and John Thompson’s Desert Paradise Estate Home with private pool at Anza-Borrego Springs, CA. The renovation of the nearby Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center was featured in the June newsletter of the UC Natural Reserve System (visit https://ucnrs.org/buildout-reshapes-social-club-into-premier-desert-science-center/).
We will have many more tempting items and experiences, so be sure to mark your calendar so we can personally welcome you back to beautiful Loreto!
UNESCO World Heritage Marine Sites Offer Both
Hope and Concern During the Covid-19 Pandemic
We will have many more tempting items and experiences, so be sure to mark your calendar so we can personally welcome you back to beautiful Loreto!
UNESCO World Heritage Marine Sites Offer Both
Hope and Concern During the Covid-19 Pandemic
As we reported earlier this month, this year’s World Oceans Day celebration on June 8 was an entirely virtual event, offering a stark contrast to the usual large gathering and conference hosted by the United Nations. Some of the leading voices for ocean conservation presented inspiring online speeches as well as reason for concern, given the state of ocean pollution and threats like climate change and overfishing.
A recent communication from UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme reports:
“As nearly half of the global population went into lockdown in recent months, rare wildlife sightings emerged in the most unexpected places. CO2 emissions dropped by 8% since the start of the year, the largest decrease ever recorded. Nature seemed to finally take a breath from the relentless human pressures that have been the primary reason for biodiversity reduction and habitat loss for at least a century.
“Yet, the first online meeting with the local guardians of UNESCO’s 50 World Heritage marine sites (since the COVID-19 pandemic) shows there is little to celebrate. For many marine World Heritage sites, the abrupt halt in tourism revenues paints a bleak, uncertain outlook for the future. For most, it reveals how a sustainably protected, resilient ocean depends on people as much as nature.”
As we hope you’re aware, the Bay of Loreto National Park is part of the “Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California,” one of the planet’s 50 Marine World Heritage Sites. For more information, and up-to-date news on the World Heritage Marine Programme, visit: http://whc.unesco.org/en/marine-programme/
Education Outreach Continues Despite the LockdownEco-Alianza staff photo
Educational outreach provides information on nutrition and hygiene during the pandemic.
A recent communication from UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme reports:
“As nearly half of the global population went into lockdown in recent months, rare wildlife sightings emerged in the most unexpected places. CO2 emissions dropped by 8% since the start of the year, the largest decrease ever recorded. Nature seemed to finally take a breath from the relentless human pressures that have been the primary reason for biodiversity reduction and habitat loss for at least a century.
“Yet, the first online meeting with the local guardians of UNESCO’s 50 World Heritage marine sites (since the COVID-19 pandemic) shows there is little to celebrate. For many marine World Heritage sites, the abrupt halt in tourism revenues paints a bleak, uncertain outlook for the future. For most, it reveals how a sustainably protected, resilient ocean depends on people as much as nature.”
As we hope you’re aware, the Bay of Loreto National Park is part of the “Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California,” one of the planet’s 50 Marine World Heritage Sites. For more information, and up-to-date news on the World Heritage Marine Programme, visit: http://whc.unesco.org/en/marine-programme/
Education Outreach Continues Despite the LockdownEco-Alianza staff photo
Educational outreach provides information on nutrition and hygiene during the pandemic.
Although schools have been closed in Loreto and elsewhere during the Covid-19 lockdown, Eco-Alianza Education Program Coordinator Alma Rico has been using social media to reach out with conservation-oriented messaging and activities.
During the month of May, Alma said, the Education staff published activities through Facebook and other venues with the theme of an ongoing Earth Day Celebration. Activities for various age levels included reading, drawing, and an invitation to cook popcorn with the family and enjoy films and documentaries with environmental themes.
Eco-Alianza staff photo
During the month of May, Alma said, the Education staff published activities through Facebook and other venues with the theme of an ongoing Earth Day Celebration. Activities for various age levels included reading, drawing, and an invitation to cook popcorn with the family and enjoy films and documentaries with environmental themes.
Eco-Alianza staff photo
Alma Rico’s cooking videos use items from the despensas to create easy, nutritious meals.
Alma also mentions that in June Eco-Alianza invited friends and supporters to participate in photography activities centered around the investigation of species of local flora and fauna. More than 100 local families have taken part in the photography activities, she said.
In addition to Eco-Alianza’s Facebook page, Alma and the Education staff published how-to videos on the Facebook page of Eco-Alianza’s Food Security Program. Videos described how to make the most of the food provided in the despensas to member families. Instructional videos included several different recipes, data on why these foods were chosen, and important nutritional information. Alma said those videos, as well as the food security program in general, have received much appreciation and good comments from the program members and from the community in general.
Save the Dates –
Alma also mentions that in June Eco-Alianza invited friends and supporters to participate in photography activities centered around the investigation of species of local flora and fauna. More than 100 local families have taken part in the photography activities, she said.
In addition to Eco-Alianza’s Facebook page, Alma and the Education staff published how-to videos on the Facebook page of Eco-Alianza’s Food Security Program. Videos described how to make the most of the food provided in the despensas to member families. Instructional videos included several different recipes, data on why these foods were chosen, and important nutritional information. Alma said those videos, as well as the food security program in general, have received much appreciation and good comments from the program members and from the community in general.
Save the Dates –
Welcome BackOne Ocean Film Festival,
October 16/17 |
Eco-Alianza 13th Anniversary GALA,
November 14 |
Expansion of Eco-Alianza Food Security Program Made
Possible by Continuing Generosity
Possible by Continuing Generosity
Eco-Alianza Staff Photos
Socially-distanced recipients await vouchers in Eco-Alianza's shaded courtyard
As we reported to you on May 15, Eco-Alianza's Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program for Unemployed Workers received a huge boost from a 2:1 donation challenge match generously made by an anonymous donor of the International Community Foundation.
Responding to our April 7 request for donations, nearly 300 donors kindly opened their hearts and their wallets to help tour guides, waiters, housekeepers, groundskeepers, entrepreneurs, fishermen, stylists, and a huge array of professionals and laborers who were suddenly unemployed when nearly all part-time residents and tourists left Loreto at the height of this year's tourist season because of the pandemic.
Socially-distanced recipients await vouchers in Eco-Alianza's shaded courtyard
As we reported to you on May 15, Eco-Alianza's Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program for Unemployed Workers received a huge boost from a 2:1 donation challenge match generously made by an anonymous donor of the International Community Foundation.
Responding to our April 7 request for donations, nearly 300 donors kindly opened their hearts and their wallets to help tour guides, waiters, housekeepers, groundskeepers, entrepreneurs, fishermen, stylists, and a huge array of professionals and laborers who were suddenly unemployed when nearly all part-time residents and tourists left Loreto at the height of this year's tourist season because of the pandemic.
Eco-Alianza staffers assist distribution of despensas at MiniSuper Dylan
When matched 2:1, the contributions created a significant opportunity to help carry Loreto families through the months when typically, there are few tourists and fewer jobs. Eco-Alianza Treasurer Linda Kinninger confirms that every cent of the donations and the match will go to buy food and hygiene items from locally owned stores to fund the program. Salaries for Eco-Alianza staff members, working on the program from home and on site, are being paid from funds generated through last year's GALA auction.
In the first month of the food voucher program 1,122 workers received despensas (food “pantries”) containing 21 types of food and cleaning products. Going forward the despensas will contain 24 products. Each worker has been verified as being recently laid off, employed with reduced salary, or otherwise unemployed. Workers were given vouchers for the first and second half of May and for the first half of June. Program statistics show that the family size of the workers receiving support averages four, meaning 4,488 Loretanos are already benefitting from the food security program, and the program continues to expand because of need.
Projections for the coming months are currently being calculated and will be shared in our upcoming Soundings electronic newsletter later this month. The program's twice-monthly distributions will continue at least through August.
When matched 2:1, the contributions created a significant opportunity to help carry Loreto families through the months when typically, there are few tourists and fewer jobs. Eco-Alianza Treasurer Linda Kinninger confirms that every cent of the donations and the match will go to buy food and hygiene items from locally owned stores to fund the program. Salaries for Eco-Alianza staff members, working on the program from home and on site, are being paid from funds generated through last year's GALA auction.
In the first month of the food voucher program 1,122 workers received despensas (food “pantries”) containing 21 types of food and cleaning products. Going forward the despensas will contain 24 products. Each worker has been verified as being recently laid off, employed with reduced salary, or otherwise unemployed. Workers were given vouchers for the first and second half of May and for the first half of June. Program statistics show that the family size of the workers receiving support averages four, meaning 4,488 Loretanos are already benefitting from the food security program, and the program continues to expand because of need.
Projections for the coming months are currently being calculated and will be shared in our upcoming Soundings electronic newsletter later this month. The program's twice-monthly distributions will continue at least through August.
Colorful despensas await Food Security Program recipients
In addition to feeding unemployed workers and their families, the program benefits the local economy and the employment of local food store workers, who assemble the despensas and distribute them as recipients bring in their vouchers. Most other food security programs on the peninsula purchase pre-packaged despensas from businesses in mainland Mexico. The funds that flow to the 10 participating stores throughout the Loreto communities for the most part stay in the Loreto economy and recirculate.
Eco-Alianza's Executive President Hugo Quintero states: “In our interactions with the program’s beneficiaries all of them have expressed great gratitude to the generous donors who made this happen. For them the help has brought hope for their families in a time of high uncertainty.”
Additional donations may be made online through the Eco-Alianza website at ecoalianzaloreto.org . Individual questions are welcome and may be emailed to [email protected]
In addition to feeding unemployed workers and their families, the program benefits the local economy and the employment of local food store workers, who assemble the despensas and distribute them as recipients bring in their vouchers. Most other food security programs on the peninsula purchase pre-packaged despensas from businesses in mainland Mexico. The funds that flow to the 10 participating stores throughout the Loreto communities for the most part stay in the Loreto economy and recirculate.
Eco-Alianza's Executive President Hugo Quintero states: “In our interactions with the program’s beneficiaries all of them have expressed great gratitude to the generous donors who made this happen. For them the help has brought hope for their families in a time of high uncertainty.”
Additional donations may be made online through the Eco-Alianza website at ecoalianzaloreto.org . Individual questions are welcome and may be emailed to [email protected]
World Oceans Day is Monday; Register for Free Streaming
Presentations by Leading Ocean VoicesThe United Nations celebrates World Oceans Day every year on June 8. Many countries have celebrated this special day since 1992, following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro. In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided that June 8 would be designated by the United Nations as "World Oceans Day."
Each year there is a specific theme and normally a huge conference exploring the theme, with dozens of associated activities celebrating the world's remarkable oceans. This year the theme is "Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean," but predictably, there will be no large gathering. However, that is where you benefit!
This year's U.N. World Oceans Day will be a free Virtual Event from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Presentations by many of the world's leading ocean voices, including Sylvia Earle and Jean-Michel Cousteau will be available for free streaming. All you need to do is register at https://unworldoceansday.org/2020 .
Presentations by Leading Ocean VoicesThe United Nations celebrates World Oceans Day every year on June 8. Many countries have celebrated this special day since 1992, following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro. In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided that June 8 would be designated by the United Nations as "World Oceans Day."
Each year there is a specific theme and normally a huge conference exploring the theme, with dozens of associated activities celebrating the world's remarkable oceans. This year the theme is "Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean," but predictably, there will be no large gathering. However, that is where you benefit!
This year's U.N. World Oceans Day will be a free Virtual Event from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Presentations by many of the world's leading ocean voices, including Sylvia Earle and Jean-Michel Cousteau will be available for free streaming. All you need to do is register at https://unworldoceansday.org/2020 .
We Look Forward to Seeing You Soon!
Photo courtesy of Richard JacksonThe Gulf of California is warming up day by day and businesses throughout Loreto are preparing to welcome tourists and part-time residents. Alaska Airlines renews regular service to Loreto today, albeit at a reduced schedule for the summer. Please visit www.alaskaair.com to make your advance reservation.
As you may have heard, Loreto is still a veritable oasis of good health compared to most of North America. Local residents and businesses plan to keep it that way, and already are taking important steps through the Punto Limpio (Clean Point) program. For some it's involving re-designing inside establishments, remodeling, or rearrangement.
As of mid-May, 95 Loreto hotels and restaurants already had registered to receive the federal certification, which includes consideration of social distancing, screening, hygiene, and face masks. A Punto Limpio training program also has begun. Visit https://setuesbcs.gob.mx/punto-limpio .
And while you're making plans, please mark your calendar for our rescheduled One Ocean Film Festival (October 16/17) and the Eco-Alianza 13th Anniversary GALA on November 14!
Watch for Our Soundings e-Newsletter Later in JuneIn addition to more good news about our still-expanding Food Security Program, a fascinating Nature Notes by Tom Haglund, and beautiful images by Rick Jackson, we will celebrate the success of the Bay of Loreto National Park (PNBL). The Park just earned a management effectiveness ranking in the top eight out of 129 protected natural areas in Mexico. Why? We'll ask PNBL's director, Israel Popoca. Watch for Soundings on a device near you, and share it with a friend!
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities.
Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
Photo courtesy of Richard JacksonThe Gulf of California is warming up day by day and businesses throughout Loreto are preparing to welcome tourists and part-time residents. Alaska Airlines renews regular service to Loreto today, albeit at a reduced schedule for the summer. Please visit www.alaskaair.com to make your advance reservation.
As you may have heard, Loreto is still a veritable oasis of good health compared to most of North America. Local residents and businesses plan to keep it that way, and already are taking important steps through the Punto Limpio (Clean Point) program. For some it's involving re-designing inside establishments, remodeling, or rearrangement.
As of mid-May, 95 Loreto hotels and restaurants already had registered to receive the federal certification, which includes consideration of social distancing, screening, hygiene, and face masks. A Punto Limpio training program also has begun. Visit https://setuesbcs.gob.mx/punto-limpio .
And while you're making plans, please mark your calendar for our rescheduled One Ocean Film Festival (October 16/17) and the Eco-Alianza 13th Anniversary GALA on November 14!
Watch for Our Soundings e-Newsletter Later in JuneIn addition to more good news about our still-expanding Food Security Program, a fascinating Nature Notes by Tom Haglund, and beautiful images by Rick Jackson, we will celebrate the success of the Bay of Loreto National Park (PNBL). The Park just earned a management effectiveness ranking in the top eight out of 129 protected natural areas in Mexico. Why? We'll ask PNBL's director, Israel Popoca. Watch for Soundings on a device near you, and share it with a friend!
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities.
Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
SOUNDINGS
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
January/February 2020
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities. Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
The Obamas' January Visit To Loreto
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
January/February 2020
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities. Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
The Obamas' January Visit To Loreto
Photo courtesy of Andres Murillo
For two days in January, Loreto was buzzing with the news of a visit to Loreto by former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The morning of January 21, the photos above was widely circulated on Facebook, and Seven Seas, the yacht owned by director Steven Spielberg, was anchored in the Bay of Loreto National Park.
Quiet preparations for the trip had been in the works for the better part of a month, with discreet security precautions arranged and visits to Loreto by embassy personnel as well as intelligence and security personnel from both México and the United States. Although it hasn't been confirmed, rumors have circulated that the visit was a late celebration of Michelle Obama's birthday, January 17.>> READ MORE
For two days in January, Loreto was buzzing with the news of a visit to Loreto by former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The morning of January 21, the photos above was widely circulated on Facebook, and Seven Seas, the yacht owned by director Steven Spielberg, was anchored in the Bay of Loreto National Park.
Quiet preparations for the trip had been in the works for the better part of a month, with discreet security precautions arranged and visits to Loreto by embassy personnel as well as intelligence and security personnel from both México and the United States. Although it hasn't been confirmed, rumors have circulated that the visit was a late celebration of Michelle Obama's birthday, January 17.>> READ MORE
Panga Captains To Support Marine Park Conservation Through “One Ocean Initiative”
Eco-Alianza staff photo
As we described in the last issue of Soundings, Eco-Alianza is hosting regular gatherings with Loreto's fishing community, specifically panga captains, to support and help implement the new Management Plan for the Bahía de Loreto National Park (PNBL). As part of its “One Ocean Initiative,” Eco-Alianza is engaging Loreto’s first-line service providers whose services in the sport fishing and ecotour sectors have traditionally served as a magnet for Loreto tourism. The campaign also aims to help promote the business culture and personal brand of these first-line captains – “Capitanes Loretanos.”>> READ MORE
Eco-Alianza staff photo
As we described in the last issue of Soundings, Eco-Alianza is hosting regular gatherings with Loreto's fishing community, specifically panga captains, to support and help implement the new Management Plan for the Bahía de Loreto National Park (PNBL). As part of its “One Ocean Initiative,” Eco-Alianza is engaging Loreto’s first-line service providers whose services in the sport fishing and ecotour sectors have traditionally served as a magnet for Loreto tourism. The campaign also aims to help promote the business culture and personal brand of these first-line captains – “Capitanes Loretanos.”>> READ MORE
Teachers and Students Throughout Latin America
Address Marine Litter Issues
Eco-Alianza staff photo
Eco-Alianza's Environmental Education Program Coordinator, Alma Rico, recently returned from a trip to Coquimbo, Chile, where she presented an interim report on a citizen science project she is coordinating with teachers and students at a high school in Loreto. Last June we reported on her trip to Costa Rica, where she successfully completed training workshops dealing with marine litter research. Since that time, Alma has localized the skills she learned and adapted them to explore the marine litter problem here. >> READ MORE
Address Marine Litter Issues
Eco-Alianza staff photo
Eco-Alianza's Environmental Education Program Coordinator, Alma Rico, recently returned from a trip to Coquimbo, Chile, where she presented an interim report on a citizen science project she is coordinating with teachers and students at a high school in Loreto. Last June we reported on her trip to Costa Rica, where she successfully completed training workshops dealing with marine litter research. Since that time, Alma has localized the skills she learned and adapted them to explore the marine litter problem here. >> READ MORE
"Nature Notes" is a monthly short feature detailing some of the wondrous, seasonal activities taking place around us.
Photos courtesy of Tom Haglund/BCS Birds Please click here to view larger.
Photos from top left, clockwise:
Cooper’s Hawk looking quite regal resting between mad chases.
Zone-tailed Hawk just finishing its meal of some unwary bird.
Peregrine Falcon plucking an American Coot that it has already beheaded.
Another Peregrine taking a break from its role of being the fastest creature on Earth.By Tom Haglund
Many birds that migrate from north to south in winter do so not so much to avoid the cold but because their food supply is greatly diminished by that cold. They in turn may be followed by certain flying predators that rely on them to satisfy their own appetites. One of the latter is the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), also called chicken hawk and blue darter. The former because they can kill and eat a chicken, and the latter because their more regular victims are evasive flyers that require great agility on the wing to ambush or outfly. A Cooper’s Hawk in pursuit of a White-winged Dove is a dazzling display of riveted focus and lightning fast response. No matter how many zigs, zags, dips, and rolls the dove conjures, the Cooper’s stays right on the track almost as though in tow.
>> READ MORE
Photos courtesy of Tom Haglund/BCS Birds Please click here to view larger.
Photos from top left, clockwise:
Cooper’s Hawk looking quite regal resting between mad chases.
Zone-tailed Hawk just finishing its meal of some unwary bird.
Peregrine Falcon plucking an American Coot that it has already beheaded.
Another Peregrine taking a break from its role of being the fastest creature on Earth.By Tom Haglund
Many birds that migrate from north to south in winter do so not so much to avoid the cold but because their food supply is greatly diminished by that cold. They in turn may be followed by certain flying predators that rely on them to satisfy their own appetites. One of the latter is the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), also called chicken hawk and blue darter. The former because they can kill and eat a chicken, and the latter because their more regular victims are evasive flyers that require great agility on the wing to ambush or outfly. A Cooper’s Hawk in pursuit of a White-winged Dove is a dazzling display of riveted focus and lightning fast response. No matter how many zigs, zags, dips, and rolls the dove conjures, the Cooper’s stays right on the track almost as though in tow.
>> READ MORE
Eco-Alianza Happenings
Visiting Scientist Presentation
SAVE THE DATE – FEBRUARY 27
Later this month we will continue Eco-Alianza's Visiting Scientist series with a very special guest, David Borbón, a commercial fisherman from the community of El Delgadito, located on the Mexican Pacific coast within the Biosphere Reserve of El Vizcaíno. For more than eight years he undertook the challenge of recovering the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), and successfully achieved the reforestation of a large area in his community. His free presentation will take place February 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Eco-Alianza's CenCoMA headquarters in downtown Loreto. Come learn more from David about the importance of preserving mangroves and our wetlands as a continuing celebration of International Wetlands Day.
Visiting Scientist Presentation
SAVE THE DATE – FEBRUARY 27
Later this month we will continue Eco-Alianza's Visiting Scientist series with a very special guest, David Borbón, a commercial fisherman from the community of El Delgadito, located on the Mexican Pacific coast within the Biosphere Reserve of El Vizcaíno. For more than eight years he undertook the challenge of recovering the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), and successfully achieved the reforestation of a large area in his community. His free presentation will take place February 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Eco-Alianza's CenCoMA headquarters in downtown Loreto. Come learn more from David about the importance of preserving mangroves and our wetlands as a continuing celebration of International Wetlands Day.
Mangrove Roots Photo courtesy of Richard Jackson/Richard Jackson Photography
GET YOURS NOW!
2020 Calendars Going Fast
Make sure to pick up your 2020 Eco-Alianza Calendar, featuring the stunning wildlife photography of Richard Jackson. Stop by Eco-Alianza’s CenCoMA headquarters. In addition to CenCoMA, the calendar is available at Richard Jackson Gallery, Museo de Las Misiones, Hotel La Misión, Meditarráneo, Sea Coffee, El Gavilan, Geckos Curios, Tony’s Silver, Marina de Puerto Escondido, Silver Desert, Orlando’s Restaurant, Hotel Posada del Cortes and La Cholla MiniMarket (Loreto Bay).
GET YOURS NOW!
2020 Calendars Going Fast
Make sure to pick up your 2020 Eco-Alianza Calendar, featuring the stunning wildlife photography of Richard Jackson. Stop by Eco-Alianza’s CenCoMA headquarters. In addition to CenCoMA, the calendar is available at Richard Jackson Gallery, Museo de Las Misiones, Hotel La Misión, Meditarráneo, Sea Coffee, El Gavilan, Geckos Curios, Tony’s Silver, Marina de Puerto Escondido, Silver Desert, Orlando’s Restaurant, Hotel Posada del Cortes and La Cholla MiniMarket (Loreto Bay).
MARCH 20 AND 21 – SAVE THE DATES
3rd Annual One Ocean Film Festival
Join us in celebrating the Ocean with two evenings of feature films, shorts, and presentations by filmmakers. This year's lineup includes the Loreto premiere of Sea Lion Rescue by Emmy-award-winning cinematographer Johnny Friday, who will take questions after the screening. His new film documents the efforts of dedicated naturalists and veterinarians working in the Bay of La Paz. Screenings of all films are under the stars in the Eco-Alianza courtyard, and include free popcorn! See the March/April Soundings for details on the additional films, the festival schedule, and how to buy your tickets!
3rd Annual One Ocean Film Festival
Join us in celebrating the Ocean with two evenings of feature films, shorts, and presentations by filmmakers. This year's lineup includes the Loreto premiere of Sea Lion Rescue by Emmy-award-winning cinematographer Johnny Friday, who will take questions after the screening. His new film documents the efforts of dedicated naturalists and veterinarians working in the Bay of La Paz. Screenings of all films are under the stars in the Eco-Alianza courtyard, and include free popcorn! See the March/April Soundings for details on the additional films, the festival schedule, and how to buy your tickets!
Share Tweet Forward
Our Loreto office address is:
Centro Communitario para el Medio Ambiente (CenCoMA)
Miguel Hidalgo SN, Loc 3
Esq. Romanita
Col. Contro, CP 23880
Loreto, B.C.S., México
http://www.ecoalianzaloreto.org
http://espanol.ecoalianzaloreto.org
Our USA mailing address is:
Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. - CenCoMA
3419 Via Lido, Suite 402
Newport Beach, CA 92663 USA
For more information, questions & requests our email address is:
[email protected]
Copyright © 2020 Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. All rights reserved.
Our Loreto office address is:
Centro Communitario para el Medio Ambiente (CenCoMA)
Miguel Hidalgo SN, Loc 3
Esq. Romanita
Col. Contro, CP 23880
Loreto, B.C.S., México
http://www.ecoalianzaloreto.org
http://espanol.ecoalianzaloreto.org
Our USA mailing address is:
Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. - CenCoMA
3419 Via Lido, Suite 402
Newport Beach, CA 92663 USA
For more information, questions & requests our email address is:
[email protected]
Copyright © 2020 Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. All rights reserved.
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The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
|
SOUNDINGS JUNE 2019
Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of
the environment and citizens act accordingly.
BREAKING NEWSEco-Alianza Signs Sister Reserve Agreement
with the University of California Natural Reserve SystemAs this issue of Soundings goes to “press”
we have received exciting news from California, detailed in an introductory announcement from
the University of California Natural Reserve System (view the announcement by clicking HERE).
This initiative is an important project Eco-Alianza has been working to develop for five years and
will benefit Loreto in countless ways. Our July Soundings newsletter will be a SPECIAL EDITION
focused entirely on the new Sister Reserve agreement with UCNRS.
“A CLEAN LORETO IS AN IDEAL LORETO” FORUM JUNE 19
#LoretoIdeal Forums to Begin
Exploring Priority Issues for Loreto
Eco-Alianza staff photoThe #LoretoIdeal initiative began last year, linking 15 participating community
groups and associations in an effort to define and address Loreto’s most significant problems,
in cooperation with local government and the citizenry of Loreto. Soundings has several times
reported on the formation and development of this participative group, which was initiated
by Eco-Alianza and then transitioned to an equal leadership by participating organizations.
For more information and background, visit http://loretoideal-eng.strikingly.com/ .
>> READ MORE
Workshops in Costa Rica Support
Marine Litter Research by Loreto Students
Workshop PhotoEnvironmental Education Program Coordinator Alma Rico recently returned from a trip
to Puntarenas, Costa Rica, funded by a scholarship she earned to participate. Alma successfully
completed training workshops dealing with marine litter research and citizen science. She joined
teachers from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica. Over the next year
she will engage Loreto students in the project, and will report results in 2020 at a gathering in Coquimbo, Chile.
The Network of Litter Scientists of Latin America is supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts.
Alma and group activities in Costa RicaBy Alma Rico
In late April, I was fortunate to participate in the Training Workshop on Collaborative
Marine Litter Research for Pacific Coast Countries of Latin America, learning a lot about
sampling and applying the scientific method within schools.
>> READ MORE
Loreto Coastkeeper Attends Celebrated Conference
of Latin American Waterkeepers
Workshop PhotoAs we mentioned last month, Eco-Alianza’s Executive President and
Loreto Coastkeeper, Hugo Quintero ventured in late April to Cartagena de Indias, Colombia,
where he participated in the first-ever gathering of Waterkeepers from throughout Latin America.
The significant conference gave participants a chance to share notes with colleagues of 26
organizations from 9 different countries, and to make plans for some amazing collaborations.
>> READ MORE
Javier Mercado Scholarship Awarded May 20
Eco-Alianza staff photoOn Monday, May 20, the Javier Mercado scholarship ceremony was held at
the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, Loreto Campus. For the second consecutive
year the scholarship was awarded to students Francisco Alberto Martínez Aguiar and César Eduardo
Yañez Valdez, who will continue to support environmental conservation projects in the municipality of Loreto.
>> READ MORE
Tom Haglund/BCS Birds
Please click here to view.
Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) is a lovely display of pattern and color. Baja California
Rattlesnake (Crotalus enyo) is another handsomely marked example. Baja California Rattlesnake
(Crotalus enyo) is kinda cute, really. Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) looks a lot fiercer
than it typically is.By Tom Haglund
Ever wonder if there are dangerous snakes in Baja Sur? Well, yes, there can be snake/human
encounters that result in serious problems for either or both individuals. Occurring regularly
here are three species of rattlesnake. They have been evolving in close proximity to humans for
thousands of years and want nothing to do with us. Those who do accidentally interact with humans
are far less likely to pass their genes along to future snakes than those who don’t. Thus there is
great evolutionary pressure on all types of snakes to avoid snake/human interactions.
>> READ MORE
MEET THE STAFFFrancisco Talamantes Added as Projects Technician
Eco-Alianza’s newest employee is as comfortable on the water as he is on land, which is a good
thing considering his new duties. Francisco Talamantes has passed the tests and completed training
to professionally help us sample and analyze sea water quality, along with his skills to manage and
maintain our vessel and equipment. As projects technician, he will share responsibility in following
our strict protocols to ensure accurate data is produced for Eco-Alianza’s Loreto Coastkeeper initiative.
He will also assist other projects of our Marine and Coastal Conservation Program.
>> READ MORESave the Date – 12th Anniversary Gala – November 16
Eco-Alianza staff photoAs announced last month, our 2019 gala will come complete with a
beautiful new venue, the spectacular 5th Floor of Hotel La Mision. Panoramic views of the
mountains on one side and the sea on the other will remind all of us exactly what we’re
working to protect. Tickets will be available in the Fall, but for information on sponsorships or
to discuss donating an item or experience for the benefit auction,
please contact [email protected] .
Share
Tweet
Forward
Our Loreto office address is:
Centro Communitario para el Medio Ambiente (CenCoMA)
Miguel Hidalgo SN, Loc 3
Esq. Romanita
Col. Contro, CP 23880
Loreto, B.C.S., México
http://www.ecoalianzaloreto.org
http://espanol.ecoalianzaloreto.org
Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of
the environment and citizens act accordingly.
BREAKING NEWSEco-Alianza Signs Sister Reserve Agreement
with the University of California Natural Reserve SystemAs this issue of Soundings goes to “press”
we have received exciting news from California, detailed in an introductory announcement from
the University of California Natural Reserve System (view the announcement by clicking HERE).
This initiative is an important project Eco-Alianza has been working to develop for five years and
will benefit Loreto in countless ways. Our July Soundings newsletter will be a SPECIAL EDITION
focused entirely on the new Sister Reserve agreement with UCNRS.
“A CLEAN LORETO IS AN IDEAL LORETO” FORUM JUNE 19
#LoretoIdeal Forums to Begin
Exploring Priority Issues for Loreto
Eco-Alianza staff photoThe #LoretoIdeal initiative began last year, linking 15 participating community
groups and associations in an effort to define and address Loreto’s most significant problems,
in cooperation with local government and the citizenry of Loreto. Soundings has several times
reported on the formation and development of this participative group, which was initiated
by Eco-Alianza and then transitioned to an equal leadership by participating organizations.
For more information and background, visit http://loretoideal-eng.strikingly.com/ .
>> READ MORE
Workshops in Costa Rica Support
Marine Litter Research by Loreto Students
Workshop PhotoEnvironmental Education Program Coordinator Alma Rico recently returned from a trip
to Puntarenas, Costa Rica, funded by a scholarship she earned to participate. Alma successfully
completed training workshops dealing with marine litter research and citizen science. She joined
teachers from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica. Over the next year
she will engage Loreto students in the project, and will report results in 2020 at a gathering in Coquimbo, Chile.
The Network of Litter Scientists of Latin America is supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts.
Alma and group activities in Costa RicaBy Alma Rico
In late April, I was fortunate to participate in the Training Workshop on Collaborative
Marine Litter Research for Pacific Coast Countries of Latin America, learning a lot about
sampling and applying the scientific method within schools.
>> READ MORE
Loreto Coastkeeper Attends Celebrated Conference
of Latin American Waterkeepers
Workshop PhotoAs we mentioned last month, Eco-Alianza’s Executive President and
Loreto Coastkeeper, Hugo Quintero ventured in late April to Cartagena de Indias, Colombia,
where he participated in the first-ever gathering of Waterkeepers from throughout Latin America.
The significant conference gave participants a chance to share notes with colleagues of 26
organizations from 9 different countries, and to make plans for some amazing collaborations.
>> READ MORE
Javier Mercado Scholarship Awarded May 20
Eco-Alianza staff photoOn Monday, May 20, the Javier Mercado scholarship ceremony was held at
the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, Loreto Campus. For the second consecutive
year the scholarship was awarded to students Francisco Alberto Martínez Aguiar and César Eduardo
Yañez Valdez, who will continue to support environmental conservation projects in the municipality of Loreto.
>> READ MORE
Tom Haglund/BCS Birds
Please click here to view.
Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) is a lovely display of pattern and color. Baja California
Rattlesnake (Crotalus enyo) is another handsomely marked example. Baja California Rattlesnake
(Crotalus enyo) is kinda cute, really. Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) looks a lot fiercer
than it typically is.By Tom Haglund
Ever wonder if there are dangerous snakes in Baja Sur? Well, yes, there can be snake/human
encounters that result in serious problems for either or both individuals. Occurring regularly
here are three species of rattlesnake. They have been evolving in close proximity to humans for
thousands of years and want nothing to do with us. Those who do accidentally interact with humans
are far less likely to pass their genes along to future snakes than those who don’t. Thus there is
great evolutionary pressure on all types of snakes to avoid snake/human interactions.
>> READ MORE
MEET THE STAFFFrancisco Talamantes Added as Projects Technician
Eco-Alianza’s newest employee is as comfortable on the water as he is on land, which is a good
thing considering his new duties. Francisco Talamantes has passed the tests and completed training
to professionally help us sample and analyze sea water quality, along with his skills to manage and
maintain our vessel and equipment. As projects technician, he will share responsibility in following
our strict protocols to ensure accurate data is produced for Eco-Alianza’s Loreto Coastkeeper initiative.
He will also assist other projects of our Marine and Coastal Conservation Program.
>> READ MORESave the Date – 12th Anniversary Gala – November 16
Eco-Alianza staff photoAs announced last month, our 2019 gala will come complete with a
beautiful new venue, the spectacular 5th Floor of Hotel La Mision. Panoramic views of the
mountains on one side and the sea on the other will remind all of us exactly what we’re
working to protect. Tickets will be available in the Fall, but for information on sponsorships or
to discuss donating an item or experience for the benefit auction,
please contact [email protected] .
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Our Loreto office address is:
Centro Communitario para el Medio Ambiente (CenCoMA)
Miguel Hidalgo SN, Loc 3
Esq. Romanita
Col. Contro, CP 23880
Loreto, B.C.S., México
http://www.ecoalianzaloreto.org
http://espanol.ecoalianzaloreto.org
SOUNDINGS
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
February 2019
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities.
Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
Visiting Scientist Presentation Thursday, February 28
Exploring the Mysteries of Cuvier's Beaked Whales
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
February 2019
Eco-Alianza de Loreto's mission is to protect and conserve the natural and cultural environment by empowering civil society and government to jointly create healthy and prosperous communities.
Our vision is that communities believe their quality of life is related to the health and vitality of the environment and citizens act accordingly.
Visiting Scientist Presentation Thursday, February 28
Exploring the Mysteries of Cuvier's Beaked Whales
Photo courtesy of Christian Torres
Plan to be at Eco-Alianza's CenCoMA headquarters on Thursday at 5 p.m., as Marine Biologist Christian Raúl Torres Romero recounts details of his six research trips to the Biosphere Reserve of Isla Guadalupe, 220 miles southwest of Ensenada.
Now a licensed marine biologist, Christian participated in research on Cuvier's Beaked Whales and other cetaceans as a volunteer and field technician for the UABCS Program of Marine Mammal Research and the Interdisciplinary Institute of Sciences. He now works as a field instructor and environmental educator for nonprofit organizations in La Paz.
>> READ MOREOne Ocean Film Festival Slated for March 29 and 30
Over two evenings, Eco-Alianza's second annual One Ocean Film Festival will celebrate and enhance our connection to the oceans with four feature films, several shorts, and brief comments by individuals involved in creating the films. While watching the films beneath the stars in CenCoMA's outdoor courtyard, you'll enjoy free popcorn, with drinks and other concessions available. Each film will be presented bilingually (either in English with Spanish subtitles or in Spanish with English subtitles).
>> READ MOREJoin Us for Highway Litter Pick-up Thursday, March 7
Plan to be at Eco-Alianza's CenCoMA headquarters on Thursday at 5 p.m., as Marine Biologist Christian Raúl Torres Romero recounts details of his six research trips to the Biosphere Reserve of Isla Guadalupe, 220 miles southwest of Ensenada.
Now a licensed marine biologist, Christian participated in research on Cuvier's Beaked Whales and other cetaceans as a volunteer and field technician for the UABCS Program of Marine Mammal Research and the Interdisciplinary Institute of Sciences. He now works as a field instructor and environmental educator for nonprofit organizations in La Paz.
>> READ MOREOne Ocean Film Festival Slated for March 29 and 30
Over two evenings, Eco-Alianza's second annual One Ocean Film Festival will celebrate and enhance our connection to the oceans with four feature films, several shorts, and brief comments by individuals involved in creating the films. While watching the films beneath the stars in CenCoMA's outdoor courtyard, you'll enjoy free popcorn, with drinks and other concessions available. Each film will be presented bilingually (either in English with Spanish subtitles or in Spanish with English subtitles).
>> READ MOREJoin Us for Highway Litter Pick-up Thursday, March 7
Photo courtesy of Hayde Natalia Ambriz
Eco-Alianza’s Volunteer Task Force will team up with the Nopoló Association of Property Owners as well as Loreto Bay homeowners for a highway litter clean-up the morning of March 7. No need to sign up in advance – just show up at 8 a.m. at the big orange Fonatur sculpture at the north entrance to Loreto Bay. Wear sturdy shoes, brightly colored clothing, a hat, and sturdy gloves if you have them. Feel free to bring a drink or a snack – we do take breaks, and we will be finished before 11.
>> READ MORELearn about Eco-Alianza Programs March 27 in Loreto Bay
Eco-Alianza’s Volunteer Task Force will team up with the Nopoló Association of Property Owners as well as Loreto Bay homeowners for a highway litter clean-up the morning of March 7. No need to sign up in advance – just show up at 8 a.m. at the big orange Fonatur sculpture at the north entrance to Loreto Bay. Wear sturdy shoes, brightly colored clothing, a hat, and sturdy gloves if you have them. Feel free to bring a drink or a snack – we do take breaks, and we will be finished before 11.
>> READ MORELearn about Eco-Alianza Programs March 27 in Loreto Bay
Eco-Alianza staff photo
Eco-Alianza staff members will present a program at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, in Loreto Bay's newly refurbished Community Center. Topics will include current and developing Eco-Alianza programs including local and regional environmental education, Coastkeeper water testing, cooperative programs with the Bay of Loreto National Park, marine and coastal conservation, solid waste management, and more.
>> READ MORE
"Nature Notes" is a monthly short feature detailing some of the wondrous, seasonal activities taking place around us.
Eco-Alianza staff members will present a program at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, in Loreto Bay's newly refurbished Community Center. Topics will include current and developing Eco-Alianza programs including local and regional environmental education, Coastkeeper water testing, cooperative programs with the Bay of Loreto National Park, marine and coastal conservation, solid waste management, and more.
>> READ MORE
"Nature Notes" is a monthly short feature detailing some of the wondrous, seasonal activities taking place around us.
courtesy of Tom Haglund/BCS Birds
Please click here to view larger.
Photos, clockwise from top left:
Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura hemilopha)
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister)
Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides)
By Tom Haglund
Ahh, basking in the sun, many of us enjoy it, including these four fairly common local reptiles. They are completely out of sight when it’s too cold for them to get cranked up for action because they cannot regulate their own body temperatures. They wait until the weather warms enough for them to perk up and venture out, usually in the spring. Then they start doing some serious basking to get even warmer. Along about March we start seeing them in midmorning taking on some rays, sprawled on sand, rocks, or tree trunks and limbs. Heated up, they then begin their day of hunting for food. The four discussed here are all omnivorous at least to some degree. You may see them in your yard, or when walking, cycling, or driving; in town and out. Sightings aren’t rare if you look for them.
>> READ MORE2019 Blue Whale Festival to Be Held March 21, 22, 23
Please click here to view larger.
Photos, clockwise from top left:
Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura hemilopha)
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister)
Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides)
By Tom Haglund
Ahh, basking in the sun, many of us enjoy it, including these four fairly common local reptiles. They are completely out of sight when it’s too cold for them to get cranked up for action because they cannot regulate their own body temperatures. They wait until the weather warms enough for them to perk up and venture out, usually in the spring. Then they start doing some serious basking to get even warmer. Along about March we start seeing them in midmorning taking on some rays, sprawled on sand, rocks, or tree trunks and limbs. Heated up, they then begin their day of hunting for food. The four discussed here are all omnivorous at least to some degree. You may see them in your yard, or when walking, cycling, or driving; in town and out. Sightings aren’t rare if you look for them.
>> READ MORE2019 Blue Whale Festival to Be Held March 21, 22, 23
Eco-Alianza staff photo
Young artists on the Malecon got an idea of a Blue Whale’s size during last year’s festival.
As of “press time,” activities for this year’s Blue Whale Festival are being finalized by the event’s planning committee. Please watch the Eco-Alianza Facebook page for details as activities are confirmed. In addition to many events around town and in the Bay of Loreto National Park, possible events include the election of the Blue Whale Festival Queen at CenCoMA (tentatively the evening of March 9); a scientific talk about Blue Whales March 21; educational visits to schools to talk about Blue Whales March 22; and a Blue Whale Workshop for children at CenCoMA March 23. Please check the Eco-Alianza Facebook page and festival posters for details/confirmation.2018 Eco-Alianza Annual Report Coming Your Way
Young artists on the Malecon got an idea of a Blue Whale’s size during last year’s festival.
As of “press time,” activities for this year’s Blue Whale Festival are being finalized by the event’s planning committee. Please watch the Eco-Alianza Facebook page for details as activities are confirmed. In addition to many events around town and in the Bay of Loreto National Park, possible events include the election of the Blue Whale Festival Queen at CenCoMA (tentatively the evening of March 9); a scientific talk about Blue Whales March 21; educational visits to schools to talk about Blue Whales March 22; and a Blue Whale Workshop for children at CenCoMA March 23. Please check the Eco-Alianza Facebook page and festival posters for details/confirmation.2018 Eco-Alianza Annual Report Coming Your Way
Both the English and Spanish editions of our 2018 Annual Report, featuring beautiful photography by Rick Jackson, are now available. Click the link below or check your Inbox shortly, and please join us in celebrating all the impactful programs that Eco-Alianza has developed, with the help of folks like you! Feel free to forward the Annual Report to a friend, and thank you for your support.
2019 Calendars Almost Sold Out – Now Half Price!
2019 Calendars Almost Sold Out – Now Half Price!
This is your last chance to get Eco-Alianza’s beautiful 2019 calendar, featuring stunning wildlife photography by Richard Jackson. Stores around town have dwindling supplies, now available at half price.
Our mailing address in the USA:
Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
3419 Via Lido, Suite 402
Newport Beach, CA 92663
[email protected]
http://ecoalianzaloreto.org/donate/
Centro Comunitario para el Medio Ambiente (CenCoMA)
Miguel Hidalgo SN, Loc 3
Esq. Romanita
Col. Centro, CP 23880
Loreto, B.C.S., México
Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
3419 Via Lido, Suite 402
Newport Beach, CA 92663
[email protected]
http://ecoalianzaloreto.org/donate/
Centro Comunitario para el Medio Ambiente (CenCoMA)
Miguel Hidalgo SN, Loc 3
Esq. Romanita
Col. Centro, CP 23880
Loreto, B.C.S., México
The ecological e-newsletter of Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C.
