- First natural protected natural area under the state jurisdiction
- Transcendental achievement for the protection of the natural heritage of the Baja Californians.
On September 17, 2021, the Baja California government published the executive decree that designated the “Arroyo San Miguel” State Park. The San Miguel stream and beach are located in the City of Ensenada and cover an area of 67 hectares of coastal and riparian landscape in the Pacific coast of Baja California. The Secretary of Sustainable Economy and Tourism of the State government, with the technical support of Pronatura Noroeste, carried out all the procedures in legal terms to protect this emblematic site, which guarantees the protection of biodiversity, as well as access to public spaces for the sport, recreation and family life in the open air.
“With this decree, Governor Bonilla has left a legacy for the people of Baja California, and in particular Ensenada,” said Gustavo Danemann, Executive Director of Pronatura Noroeste. “The Arroyo San Miguel State Park is the first natural protected area to be established under state jurisdiction, and with this, it sets a precedent on the vision we have in Baja California for the protection and public and sustainable use of our landscapes and natural areas.”
The beach and lower six kilometers of the San Miguel stream that were designated as a State Park provide almost 10% of the 710 hectares of green areas recommended for the 444,000 inhabitants of the City of Ensenada. “The San Miguel stream has a unique landscape. I always had the hope that the Ensenada residents and future generations can enjoy this wonderful sight” said Fausto Ramírez, a resident of San Miguel and one of the first promoters of the protection of the San Miguel stream.
The site is traditionally used by the local population and by national and foreign visitors to carry out recreational activities, and especially for surfing. The iconic San Miguel break is formed by the characteristics of the shore, maintained by the sediment, sand and rocks transported to the coast by the stream. “The San Miguel break, which was the first place where surfing began in Mexico, is an iconic site for the surfing community, so we celebrate this Decree,” said Eduardo Echegaray, President of the Baja California Surfing Association.
“The designation of the Arroyo San Miguel State Park is a truly community initiative. The Baja California government demonstrated fundamental support and commitment to make this possible. We are confident that the new state administration will also support the conservation of the Arroyo San Miguel State Park, and we reaffirm our commitment to continue collaborating in this project ”, concluded Danemann.
We invite people interested in learning more about the “Arroyo San Miguel” State Park to visit:
Gustavo Danemann, Executive Director of Pronatura Noroeste, shares his personal insights about the creation of the Arroyo San Miguel State Park.
Click here to find the decree.
