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THE NATURE CONSERVANCY ANNOUNCES UNPRECEDENTED MOVE TO PROTECT ISLAND IN THE SEA OF CORTEZ

La Paz, Mexico—January 22, 2003—In the first step of a new initiative to protect some of the most critical ecosystems in Mexico, an alliance of Mexican and U.S. conservation groups has donated more than $3 million to help the Mexican government acquire a 23,000-acre island complex in the Sea of Cortez.

Looking south, Isla Espiritu Santo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico © Bill Evarts Download Hi-Res Image (Zipped .jpg, 6.6 MB)

Ownership of the island complex, known locally as Isla Espiritu Santo (Island of the Holy Spirit), was transferred from a local community to the Mexican government through a $3.3 million deal funded by the The Nature Conservancy, Fundacion Mexicana para la Educacion Ambiental A.C. (FUNDEA), the World Wildlife Fund, the Walton Family Foundation and the International Community Foundation. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has donated another $1.5 million towards an endowment fund for the long-term stewardship and protection of the island.

"These islands are among the most unique and important natural areas in Mexico," said Steve McCormick, president of The Nature Conservancy, the world’s largest non-profit conservation organization. "The Nature Conservancy designated Espiritu Santo a global conservation priority because of its unique biological diversity."
 
Transfer of ownership to the Mexican government came after three years of negotiations between FUNDEA and the local community that owned the island. Mexican President Vicente Fox on Jan. 15 signed an official decree allowing transfer of the island complex to the Mexican government.

Looking west, Isla Espiritu Santo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico © Bill Evarts Download Hi-Res Image (Zipped .jpg, 5.3 MB)

"The conclusion of this process represents a new step in the conservation of Mexico’s natural heritage," said Rodolfo Ogarrio, president of FUNDEA. "For the first time ever, private donors provided funds to the federal government to ensure the permanent protection of critical habitat in Mexico."

In announcing the land transfer, The Nature Conservancy pledged to continue working with FUNDEA and other conservation partners to ensure the protection of 10 other biologically critical islands scattered throughout the Sea of Cortez, the waterway between Baja California and Mexico’s mainland.

The Sea of Cortez is the second most diverse marine body in the world. It is home to 31 species of whales and dolphins -- one-third of the world’s total. The region also serves as a breeding ground for sea lions and marine turtles, and is a migratory corridor for 210 bird species. Some 500 fish species live in the region.

There are a total of 900 islands in the Sea of Cortez. Although all were declared protected areas in 1978 by the Mexican government, 11 were not under federal ownership, making it difficult to ensure the permanent conservation of the critical habitat.

Money for the land transfer will be provided by The Nature Conservancy ($1.1 million), the World Wildlife Fund ($1.1 million), FUNDEA ($850,000), and the International Community Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation ($250,000).

Turkey vulture on cardon cactus, Isla Espiritu Santo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico © Bill Evarts Download Hi-Res Image (Zipped .jpg, 5.4 MB)

Espiritu Santo will be managed by Mexico’s Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP).

"CONANP believes that the future of conservation in Mexico is through public-private partnerships," said Ernesto Enkerlin, president of CONANP. Enkerlin said only about 20 percent of the land designated for conservation in Mexico is owned by the Mexican government -- making them difficult to conserve.

"Participation of private donors and non-government organizations is very significant to us," Enkerlin said. "What happened with Isla Espiritu Santo is much more relevant than the money or the acreage. It sets a new precedent."

By helping fund the transfer of Isla Espiritu Santo to the Mexican government, The Nature Conservancy is working to ensure that all islands in the Sea of Cortez will remain protected from development and open to the public. The Nature Conservancy has worked with public and private partners in Mexico since 1998 to provide technical and financial support for the management and stewardship of various islands in the region, including patrolling and monitoring, tourism management, training of park staff, environmental education, public outreach programs, and aquaculture projects with fishermen.

"The Nature Conservancy is working closely with conservation partners in Mexico and the local community to help conserve the country’s vital resources," said Marianne Kleiberg, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Southern Baja California program. "By working with the Mexican conservation group FUNDEA and the Mexican government to pay for Espiritu Santo, The Nature Conservancy is helping to ensure that the land will remain open and accessible to the local communities and local fishermen who rely on the waters for their livelihood."