The celebration brought together more than 200 people to learn about and protect one of Baja California’s most iconic and threatened shorebirds.
Through puppets, games, workshops, and family activities, the Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus) drew hundreds of people in Ensenada and inspired new generations to discover and help protect the rich biodiversity of Baja California’s coast.
On June 12, more than 200 people participated in the Municipal Snowy Plover Day in Ensenada, an event dedicated to celebrating and protecting this small shorebird, which inhabits the sandy beaches of Todos Santos Bay, a vital site where it feeds, rests, and breeds.
The event offered an opportunity to strengthen the bond between the community and a species that is part of the natural heritage of Todos Santos Bay.
A Celebration of Learning and Engagement
Children, young people, and families participated in a program of activities designed to teach them, in a fun way, about the importance of shorebirds and coastal ecosystems.
Highlights included a children’s activity trail, information booths hosted by conservation organizations, face painting, arts and crafts, and a compost-making and planting workshop.
One of the day’s most memorable moments was the official debut of Jhony, the new Snowy Plover mascot. His name was chosen in honor of biologist Jonathan Vargas, who dedicated part of his career to studying and monitoring this species in Todos Santos Bay.
The puppet show, featuring a costumed storyteller, also captivated children and adults alike. Through stories, characters, and playful activities, the event fostered environmental education and encouraged respect for the habitats this bird needs to survive.
A Small Species with Great Value for Ecosystems
The Snowy Plover is one of the most iconic shorebirds of the northwestern Mexican coast. However, it faces a range of threats stemming from habitat loss and degradation, as well as human activities taking place on the beaches where it nests.
For this reason, creating spaces that bring together science, education, and the community is essential to advancing its conservation.
Municipal Snowy Plover Day teaches us that when people learn about the species inhabiting their local environment, they become more aware of their importance and more willing to participate in their care..
At Pronatura Noroeste, we know that every activity, conversation, and shared experience during this event contributes to building a community that is more connected to nature and committed to protecting local biodiversity.
Every protected nest, every beach respected, and every person who discovers the story of the Snowy Plover contributes to its survival. We invite you to learn more about this species, respect its nesting areas, and join efforts to protect the extraordinary biodiversity that thrives along the coast of Ensenada.
Participated in the Organization and Event
Organizers
- Pronatura Noroeste
- Pro Esteros
- Pacífica at Ensenada Bay
- Councilor Raquel Esther Manríquez Peña
- Ensenada Municipal Institute for Culture and Human Development
- Municipal Ecology Department
Allies
- Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development (SMADS)
- Urban Birds Program
- Women in Flock
- Punta Banda Conservation Alliance
- Wild coast
- Museum Caracol
- Contacto Salvaje
- Students of the Master in Arid Zone Ecosystem Management
Community Participation
- UABC students.
- Justo Sierra, La Corregidora, Tipai, and Green Hands elementary schools.
Our Presence
- Gustavo Daniel Danemann
- Julián García Walther
- Lizz González Moreno
- Samantha Soleno
Special Thanks to Our Volunteers:
Elia Rodríguez, Benjamín Mendoza, Ángel Hernández, Axel Catalán, Adrián López, Ivanna Manríquez, Matilde Verdugo, Luis Zurita, Vani Álvarez, Marlenne Vargas, Hannah Ruiz, Nadia Santos, Ivanna Cachú y Damara Martínez.
Funding
- Manfred Hermsen Foundation
- Iniciativa Humedales Costeros
- Pacífica at Ensenada at Bay
- Councilor Raquel E. Manríquez Peña (25th Ensenada City Council)
- Tijuana Río Conecta
Translated by: Nicole Fuentes
Reviewed and edited by: Oddary Tacuba
