In collaboration with federal institutions and international organizations, we protect more than 80,000 hectares in the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve (REBIVI).

The National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) and the International Community Foundation (ICF) came together in 2017 through a “Payment for Environmental Services through Concurrent Funds” financing scheme to support the conservation activities we conduct in the Wildlife Management and Use Unit (UMA) Laguna San Ignacio, which is located in the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve.

Through this financing scheme, CONAFOR and ICF formed a fund to strengthen conservation work in 80,550 hectares of Polygon 4 of the National Lands, registered as UMA Laguna San Ignacio since 2011 in response to a 2010 commitment between Pronatura Noroeste and the Environment and Natural Resources Secretary, through the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas, with a signed convention to establish joint strategies and actions aimed at helping to strengthen the conservation regime that exists in said National Land.

The work plan we developed for the site consists of surveillance, conservation education, biological monitoring activities, and a protocol for responding to environmental contingencies. In general, the strategy aims to keep UMA Laguna San Ignacio in good condition for the benefit of the Grey Whale (Eschrichtius robustus), Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans), Baja California pronghorn (Antilocapra americana peninsularis), and other species of flora and fauna.

With the follow-up and periodic monitoring of biodiversity in this area, we are building a baseline that will allow us to determine target groups, indicators, and the management and conservation strategy to be implemented, either to reinforce previous actions or, if appropriate, to assist and mitigate threats to the site.

It is pertinent to highlight that in April 2017, we observed specimens of Baja California Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana peninsularis), a subspecies in danger of extinction according to NOM-059-SEMARNAT 2010, and inside UMA Laguna San Ignacio is a small strip of the Pronghorn Corridor, which forms a core part of the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve. Similarly, it is important to mention the presence of Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis), a species that, year after year, has been recorded in the biological monitors. That is relevant because it is also listed as being in a threatened category in NOM-059-SEMARNAT 2010. These events are indicators that UMA Laguna San Ignacio is an optimal site for breeding, feeding, and sheltering for these species and, therefore, that the conservation and management activities in the area are conducted properly.