Students from Cobach and Cecyte La Presa, both close to the Tijuana River restoration site, told on video about their river by participating in the Voces del Río Tijuana (Voices of the Tijuana River) contest. Pronatura Noroeste promoted this contest to encourage community participation in the restoration of Baja California’s riparian ecosystem, a crucial social component when planning long-term site conservation.
Among poplars and willows greening the restoration site, on June 7, the awards ceremony was held for the participating students. First place was given to Allison Covarrubias, Luis Zatarain and Christopher Sevilla, all from Cobach, La Presa campus; second place went to Ernesto Hernández, Jael Rodríguez and Mario Rojo from Cecyte, La Presa campus, and third place to Rodolfo Rodríguez, Elizabeth Atanacio and Ernesto Montiel, from Cobach.
Pronatura Noroeste, through the Tijuana Río Conecta initiative, is moving towards the restoration of more than nine hectares of a riparian ecosystem that had been lost in the Tijuana River. What used to be a clandestine dump and land taken over by exotic flora, is now a space recovered by native flora which, in turn, has led to the slow return of native fauna and, above all, of the community.
During the event, Mariana Delgado, an expert in native flora, led teachers, directors and students through various sections of the site and explained details of each of the species present, thus generating a moment of encounter and sensitization of the visitors with their environment.
“Students and teachers were very happy to visit the restoration site and be part of the winners of the contest; today they feel part of the project and are very interested in continuing to participate in activities to promote that others know this small part of Tijuana, a place where you can connect with nature without having to go far from the city,” said Lizz Gonzalez, coordinator of Conservation Education at Pronatura Noroeste.
The participation of young people is part of the appropriation by those who live day to day with the Tijuana River. Likewise, by raising awareness of the history and benefits of conserving this vital ecosystem for the city of Tijuana, more and more young people will be motivated to participate in favor of conservation, thus becoming key players in the rescue of their natural environment.
With your support we can add more hectares restored in the Tijuana River.
