The community reconnected with the riparian ecosystem of Arroyo San Miguel State Park in Baja California. Amidst the flight of birds and the sound of the sea in the background, an atmosphere of encounter and discovery was experienced last Saturday, May 11, at the Alas y Olas event held in Baja California’s first State Natural Reserve. Pronatura Noroeste, in addition to promoting the declaration of the State Park, actively participated as part of the celebration in this natural space dedicated to conservation and the people of Ensenada.
With activities dedicated to surfing, photography, conservation education, hiking, and bird watching, the event, organized by Environmental Science students from the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), attracted more than 100 participants who enjoyed the natural environment and learned a little more about this important Baja California ecosystem.
Since Pronatura Noroeste is a fundamental part of the history of Arroyo San Miguel State Park, we participated in the event with the presence and words of our Executive Director, in addition to the participation of the Conservation Education team, led by Lizz González, who shared valuable information and playful activities about shorebird conservation and ways we can keep the oceans free of plastic.
“When we promoted the creation of the Arroyo San Miguel State Park, we justified it with the two elements that appear in this event: birds and waves. There are more than 100 species of birds recorded in the creek and on the beach, and of course the value that San Miguel has for surfing, as the birthplace of surfing in Baja California and Mexico, is undeniable. On both sides, we feel very connected to the site,” said Gustavo D. Danemann, executive director of Pronatura Noroeste.
In Ensenada, Baja California, the San Miguel stream is the only one of eight streams that is almost untouched. Recognizing the vulnerability of a riparian and coastal ecosystem of great importance to native flora and fauna, Pronatura Noroeste took action to have the stream and the beach of the same name declared Baja California’s first State Natural Area. This allowed 10 kilometers of the creek, in an area of 67 hectares, to obtain a status that protects 112 species of plants, 47 species of mammals and 107 species of birds, in addition to guaranteeing the continuation of the legendary San Miguel wave in the sea.
The celebration was supported by Nosotras y el Mar, GECI, Pajareras de la Baja, Correcaminos, and the Environmental Gymnasium, an outdoor fitness project that used the first trail under construction in the Arroyo San Miguel State Park as a way to meet nature. Among poplar trees and mastuerzo flower carpets, many had the opportunity to take advantage of the ornithology class led by Dr. Gonzalo de León Girón, which allowed the observation of up to 25 species of birds, such as the Ana’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna), the California Toqui (Melozone crissalis) and the Singing Chingolo (Melospiza melodia).
Efforts like these contribute to the goal of Pronatura Noroeste and our allies to position Arroyo San Miguel State Park as a natural space that fosters healthy community interaction through activities such as hiking, bird watching, surfing, and conservation education.
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