Exploring a natural environment by foot is not only an exceptional form of connection, but also the most effective strategy for its care and conservation. This is a transcendent experience if visitors, in addition to enjoying the hike, fall in love with the environment and become actively engaged in its conservation.
With the upcoming inauguration of the first trail in Arroyo San Miguel State Park, the inhabitants of Ensenada, Baja California, will be able to enjoy an extraordinary walk through the environment. Visitors will also have the opportunity to personally commit to the care of this valuable natural area. The trail will provide a way to raise awareness among visitors about conservation and sustainable enjoyment of nature.
The 1.1 km recreational trail will be open to the public before the end of 2023. The project is called ‘Un Parque para Todos, un Sendero para Todos’ (A Park for Everyone, a Trail for Everyone). To obtain the legal decree, experts from Pronatura Noroeste prepared a technical document to support the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development. Among other benefits, the trail will provide an area for hiking, outdoor sports and family gatherings, all of which helps to halt the current deterioration of the coastal ecosystem.
“At a crucial moment, we achieved the declaration of the state park in time and form, thus protecting a stream, a body of water that is vital for the city and its inhabitants before it was destroyed and brutally polluted,” says Cesar Guerrero, consultant for Pronatura Noroeste. “I am not exaggerating when I say that this is a project that is going to make a major difference in the management of natural protected areas in Baja California.”
Let’s take a look at the ecological importance of Arroyo San Miguel State Park. First of all, it is the first Natural Protected Area by state decree in Baja California. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), the creek provides the total amount of green areas required by the community of El Sauzal and 10% required by the city of Ensenada. It is also the habitat of 112 species of plants, 47 species of mammals, and 107 species of birds. In addition, its beach is considered the birthplace of surfing in Mexico. Thanks to the morphology of the soil and cobblestones at the base of the basin, the famous San Miguel wave is produced: a unique attraction for thousands of surfers.
The 67 hectares that make up this natural site was recognized as a state park, according to the decree published on September 17, 2021. This represents a historic event, as it is the first and so far the only natural area protected by the state government. This status ensures the legal protection of the stream, thus avoiding deterioration due to urban encroachment, pollution, and the extraction of firewood, sand, and stones, among other factors.
The trail will be designed with a fully inclusive perspective, with facilities that will allow access for strollers, bicycles, and family visits, adapting to all ages and abilities. This will ensure the safety of visitors by providing an opportunity to explore the wetlands and tide pools up close and learn about the riparian vegetation. The visual elements and infographics will have a graphic identity similar to those used in other Baja California nature reserves, such as Bahia San Quintin and El Rosario. This coherence reinforces the sense of belonging to the protected natural sites.
We invite you to join this wonderful environmental experience.
