Humans have historically sought to settle near bodies of water, and many times we have forgotten to watch the river. These rivers, in the majority of cities, have been paved, diverted, or even blocked, causing large problems for biodiversity, the recharging of aquifers, and rainwater drainage.
For this reason, and with a comprehensive view of basins, at Pronatura Noroeste we employ various legal instruments to protect and restore them. It is through tools like ecological easements, contracts with dependencies, and binational agreements with which we seek stability for the Tijuana River basin.
In 2003 with Fundación La Puerta we conserved 819 hectares in perpetuity through an Ecological Easement, an agreement in which the owner voluntarily designates the use of the property for conservation. With this the Cuchumá hill, which is located on the border of Mexico and the United States, and which has great historical-natural value for Tecate and Baja Californians, is protected.
Also, within the framework of Act 320, we participate as Mexican civil society representatives on environmental issues in the binational working group headed by the International Boundary and Water Commission of Mexico and the United States.
In 2012 we started the Restoring the Riparian Corridor of the Tijuana River Project, and in 2015 we dedicated a concession of 9.4 hectares in that corridor where the only three kilometers of the natural riverbed that are not channeled are located. In this space we develop habitat restoration projects for wildlife and for communities in the area.
We also reached an agreement with CESPT to allocate 30% of water treated at the Arturo Herrera Treatment Plant to the river, with which the river restoration activities and the creation of a river park will be supported.
In this way, through these instruments, we promote the protection and stability of the 4,430 km2 that encompass the Tijuana River Basin.
