Laguna Babicora extends over 26,000 hectares in the Sierra Madre Occidental, in the northwestern part of the state of Chihuahua. It is made up of a series of lagoons joined together as the basin is recharged. The main vegetation consists of grassland, coniferous scrub, and pine and oak forest.
The lagoon is part of an ecosystem associated with an endorheic basin. This means that Laguna Babicora is a closed basin where water accumulates, meaning that it does not flow into the sea or other bodies of water. This seasonal wetland provides habitat for 122 species of migratory birds, making it one of the most biologically important bird migration sites in North America as it is part of the Central Flyway.
Laguna Babicora is known as “the land of the cranes and geese”. For some species it is an essential site, since they concentrate more than 60% of their populations in it. Examples include the White Goose (Chen caerulescens), the Ross’s Goose (Chen rossii) and the Gray Crane (Grus canadiensis), the latter of which is subject to special protection under Mexican Official Norm NOM-059. Laguna Babicora is also a nesting site for the Common Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and a breeding site for the Mexican Duck (Anas diazi).
Among the species we can highlight the White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), which has a unique subpopulation in Laguna Babicora. Also the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and the Warbling Curlew (Numenius phaeopus), as well as 15 species of birds of prey.
This lagoon complex is threatened by land use change, the effects of overgrazing, and the silting of the basin’s runoff channels. This implies an indispensable attention for the wetland to maintain its optimal conditions. Since 2008 it has been on the list of Ramsar Sites, which catalogs coasts and wetlands of strategic importance for our planet.
In 2018, we signed a contract with the Gomez Farias ejido for the conservation of 900 hectares in Laguna Babicora, where we agreed to dredge 3 kilometers of canals draining the wetland. The agreement is valid for 20 years, which allows us to plan medium-term efforts to manage the site in coordination with the community, highly committed to their environment.
The size and biodiversity of Laguna Babicora pose a conservation challenge. Join us in this noble work, let’s make a difference together.
