The Bird Conservation program conducts protection and habitat management activities in Laguna Babicora de Chihuahua. Known as the land of cranes and geese, Babicora is one of the most important sites of the central migratory route. In it can be found migratory waterfowl, such as the Sandhill Crane (Grus canadiensis), the Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens), and Ross’s goose (Chen rossii), as well as a variety of ducks and shorebirds.
Laguna Babicora does not have a constant mirror of water; it is a natural swamp that receives runoff from the mountainous region. When water erosion occurs, the soil is deposited in the lagoon causing sediment to form.
With the help of the Nicolas Bravo colony community, the canal was desilted to avoid the concentration of sediments that reduce the depth of the lagoon and, therefore, lead to fewer sites for birds. In addition, to help the water pass without soil debris when there is a current, stone dams were built in some gullies* in the area.
Also, with the Ejido Peña Blanca community, soil restoration activities were carried out on 600 hectares of the upper part of the basin. Individual terraces were built with shoots of redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii), Apache pine (Pinus engelmannii), and netleaf oak (Quercus rugosa), as in previous years agricultural and forestry practices left areas devoid of vegetation, which led to degradation by water and wind erosion.
These communities work under Ecological Servitude as a conservation instrument. As part of this agreement, the owners voluntarily use the property in favor of natural resources and biodiversity to protect the habitat of neotropical migratory birds that visit Laguna Babícora. Six years ago, the Nicolas Bravo colony designated 6,000 hectares, and in 2015 Ejido Peña Blanca 2,826 hectares, both of which are valid for 20 years.
For the next two years, the Bird Conservation program will continue working with the communities to protect this site and develop a Management Program for the entire lagoon.
