Every year, civilization takes land away from nature. Forest masses are lost due to the gradual deterioration of ecosystems and the pollution of bodies of water, especially in areas adjacent to large cities. In the face of this, the worst thing that can happen to nature is the passivity of society, governments and civil organizations. If we do nothing, we actually feed the problems.
At Pronatura Noroeste we break this inertia with long-term projects and actions. We choose sites with particular environmental deterioration and loss of plant and animal habitat to reverse the damage through reforestation. An example of this is the journey we undertook from October 21 to 27 to plant 1,500 native trees along the Tijuana River. This is part of a broad collaboration with the Coca-Cola Foundation, in alliance with the Coca-Cola bottling company in Tijuana, Del Fuerte bottling company and the State Government through the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development Department (SMADS). On October 24th, we had a field visit with Secretary Monica Vega, Veronica Cabrera, on behalf of Coca Cola bottling company and Gaston Luken, Honorary President of Pronatura Noroeste, where they participated in reforestation activities.
On behalf of Del Fuerte bottling company, Raul Castaneda, Manager of Public Affairs and Communication, stated the following: “This project is part of the sustainable activities we seek in the company. These type of initiatives to recover green spaces and reforestation with native plants, with the participation of citizens and companies, are totally necessary”.
David Perez, an expert in environmental restoration who is collaborating with us, assured that “the planting of willows and poplars in the Tijuana River guarantees diversity along the ecosystem, giving shelter to migratory and resident birds, as well as a healthy habitat and a lung to the city of Tijuana”. We also have the collaboration of Daniela Varela and Tamara Arce, volunteer biologists who expressed their enthusiasm for being part of this task: “We are excited to participate in this type of projects to support sustainable development and the conservation of natural spaces. We look forward to following the Rio Tijuana Conecta project closely and seeing its successful restoration”.
The area to be restored corresponds to the federal zone concession granted to Pronatura Noroeste by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). We will focus on 4 hectares of the adjacent area to the Abelardo L. Rodriguez Dam, on the edge of the urban sprawl of Tijuana, one of the fastest growing border cities in recent decades. As background, at the beginning of 2022, cleanup and solid waste removal works were conducted in the Tijuana Riverbed. This was strengthen with educational activities given to the community, to build up the sense of belonging and respect for the environment.
Local residents acknowledge the work done so far, as the willows planted in 2014 can be seen in the surrounding area and today provide shade, shelter and food for many animals.
This conservation project benefits not only the U.S.-Mexico border population, but also numerous other species. Among the plants are the wild sunflower, the willow, the saladito, and the borrego flower. The ecosystem also provides habitat for animals such as the Golden-toed Heron, the White-crowned Sparrow, the Spring Blackbird and the Red-tailed Warbler.
To plant is to transform. This effort requires will, decision and support. We call for socially responsible companies to join this crusade for nature.
