By 2000 it was apparent that pro esteros had evolved; the Mexican chapter had become an independent and fully functioning organization and the U.S. chapter was now redundant. Our stated goal, to establish a viable conservation organization in Baja California, had been achieved. The U.S. foundations were now dealing directly with the Mexican chapter and Laura and Patricia Martinez were creating projects from their own ideas, writing grants and working successfully in every area, from community organization to participating in major conservation issues and battles. Alan Harper, then president of the U.S. chapter, organized a strategic planning meeting to be chaired by Kaare Kjos where we would have a serious discussion about our future. The result was an agreement to dissolve the U.S. chapter and hand over the remaining funds to pro esteros Mexico, all of which happened in 2001. And now, 14 years later, that organization has become a well established and very significant presence in Baja California and last year celebrated its 25th anniversary.
This installment ends the saga of binational pro esteros. There will be one more article about my personal adventures during its 12 years – travels, friendships, reflections, and photographs – but not for awhile. Time to return to other phases of this website. The following articles were printed in one of the last of our newsletters.
A QUICK LOOK BACK by Barbara Massey
from the pro esteros newsletter, Spring 2001, Vol.12 # 3 & 4
It is with great delight that I write that pro esteros has come of age. Its 12 year history has been checkered, the ups and downs were legion. But I think that was to be expected. We set out to form a bi-national, grass-roots conservation organization that would oppose very powerful forces; not an easy challenge. Now we can look back with satisfaction and see that it has succeeded, and in a time frame much speedier than anyone anticipated. In May 1998 Silvia Ibarra (a Mexican marine ecologist ) and I (a US ornithologist) convened a meeting in San Diego in response to a major threat to one of Baja California’s coastal wetlands; a hotel/resortdevelopment on the barrier beach of Estero de Punta Banda, just south of Ensenada. Silvia and I both had research projects in the estero and were appalled at the developers’ plans. They were not only bent on turning the sand spit into a housing complex, but dredging the estero to create a marina. The 35 interested conservationists who attended the meeting arrived at a speedy consensus. A new group shouid be formed that would be committed to the conservation and preservation of the wetlands of Baja California. And so pro esteros was born. The next six months were a whirlwind of start-up activities: organization of the two chapters, incorporation (separate groups in the two countries) and tax-exempt status, a bank account, action by the Mexican group to oppose the dredging, a seminar series at CICESE in Ensenada given by scientists on various aspects of wetlands’ ecology – and much more. The response from mailings in the US was heartening, it seemed like everyone wanted to help and checks came pouring in, undoubtedly spurred by our low $10 membership fee. The first big project was to present a proposal to the Mexican government to create a reserve at Estero de Punta Banda. The forms were demanding: documentation of ownership, floral and faunal surveys, maps, delineation of borders for a reserve, justification of the need were just some of the requirements. To make a map we needed aerial photography, and we got our first grant (from the International Council for Bird Preservation) and hired a Tijuana photographer to map the estero. By 1990 the newsletter was established; the first get-to-know-us trip to federal agencies in Mexico City was taken; the first annual meeting was held; the first monetary landmark achieved (our funds topped $10,000). In the spring of 1990 Silvia had to resign to pursue a Ph.D., we submitted the proposal for the reserve, and hired a young Mexican ecologist to run the Mexican chapter. A big threat loomed suddenly at Bahia Magdalena where a Japanese company revealed plans for a huge resort complex that would include hotels and houses, swimming pools, an airstrip, golf courses on the barrier dunes and other untenable developments. Concurrently, the barrier beach at Bahia San Quintin was up for sale and potential development. Happily, neither of these threats materialized, but it was clear that the estuaries of Baja California were in the plans of developers worldwide. 1991-1993 were years of uncertainty for the Mexican chapter. There was a leadership vacuum for 2 years after our first Executive Director was let go in the spring of 1991. Laura Martinez Rios Del Rio, who was a charter member and officer, kept the chapter going despite the discouraging outlook. And when she and her sister Patricia became full-time paid staff in the spring of 1993, the chapter began to thrive again. Meanwhile funding started to come in from US foundations: Homeland, Will J. Reid, and Packard. The latter gave us a large grant to do GIS mapping of all the large esteros, with matching funds coming from the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (a branch of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). We also received a substantial sum each year from an anonymous donor (who revealed himself as Alan Harper after a few years). From 1994 on there was a gradual but major expansion in the Mexican chapter’s scope of activity and sphere of influence, and the center of gravity definitely shifted from the US to the Mexican chapter. The Brant Project was established with funding from the Lannan Foundation and the North American Wetlands Conservation Council. Community outreach became a very important part of the work, spurred by a new threat at Laguna San Ignacio. A plan to expand the Guerrero Negro saltworks to the flatlands around Laguna San Ignacio by Exportadora del Sal/Mitsubishi provoked world-wide opposition from conservation organizations. The role of pro esteros Mexico here was to help local communities around the lagoon organize to meet the challenge of responding to the project. A new threat to the barrier beach at Bahia San Quintin also surfaced: a proposed resort development by Century 21 (US). Happily, both these proposals came to naught (see post #4). Both, however, emphasized the need for strong conservation action in Baja California. In 2000 it became clear that the relationship between the two chapters had changed to the point where we needed to redefine it. The original goal of the US chapter, to foster a strong and effective Mexican organization that would champion Baja California’s wetlands, had been attained. It was time for us to find new goals, to play a new role in conservation in Mexico. And that is what we are in the process of doing.
A LOOK AHEAD by Alan Harper
from the pro esteros newsletter, Spring 2001, Vol.12 # 3 & 4
The March of Dimes was founded to combat polio. Enlisting a president of the US (who was never photographed in his wheelchair), it was spectacularly successful – so much so that at the height of its success it thought about going out business. When the Salk (and later, the Sabin) vaccine was introduced, it became obvious that the organization’s mission was disappearing. What is the best response to success? Pack your bags and go home? Combine your forces with a related project? Or look for different, but related, goals that are equally important? Pro esteros finds itself in just this “interesting” predicament. Founded 12 years ago, it has achieved some phenomenal successes, none of which looked possible when it started. In the last year, it has undertaken a strategic assessment- looking at strengths, weaknesses, and how to meet the challenges ahead. This assessment has been underwritten by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, and has been ably lead by Kaare Kjos, a non-profit consultant in San Diego. The board, working closely with Laura Martinez Rios Del Rio, has been analyzing how the Mexican and US parts of pro esteros can work together. This winter, under the leadership of Mark Spalding and Laura, we have developed a Memorandum of Understanding which describes the roles and responsibilities of the two organizations that comprise pro esteros. The dedication of the boards of the two organizations has been truly extraordinary. In our twelve-year history we have achieved many great successes, but it is only recently that we have started to address the structure of the organization. Within a few years of its founding, pro esteros was legally two organizations, one US, one Mexican, with an informal agreement to work together on wetlands issues on the peninsula. The founders’ vision was that it would become a powerful binational organization dedicated to the preservation of wetlands in Baja California. But we have discovered instead that the binational group was really an incubator for a powerful domestic organization, which is widely recognized as the most effective grassroots organization in the region. There is a lesson in this history – it seems that while a binational group can start an effective organization, unless the organization is working on issues on both sides of the border, at a certain point it has to bring all its operations to the area where it is working if it is to be seen as credible and effective. So now pro esteros US finds itself just where the March of Dimes was: it has accomplished its mission, building the most effective grassroots conservation organization in Baja California, pro esteros Mexico. But what is the future of the binational structure? In January, the board sat down and faced just this question. Laura in particular made a passionate statement that an American organization can really make a difference by allying with, and adding strength to, Mexican conservation organizations. Currently there are a number of organizations doing great work on the peninsula, but they do not have a way of contacting people across the border and creating a binational constituency for their projects. So pro esteros finds itself in a position of testing the waters for a new direction in life. Is there a future as the ally of other organizations working on the peninsula? Is there funding for this role? Is this an effective use of time and resources? Would the organization fill a perceived need for the environmental NGOs on the peninsula? Which of the options ahead of us do the membership (you) support? We are exploring these questions, and with your support, we hope to be able to report to you soon. The board would like to assure our members that both parts of pro esteros are still passionately committed to the preservation of Baja California’s wetlands, and that we will use your funds prudently and as wisely as we can to protect the environment of the peninsula. Pro esteros US and pro esteros Mexico recently signed the Memorandum of Understanding cementing our relationship in new, more formal and more secure manner, and have reaffirmed our joint mission to preserve the most beautiful and pristine wetlands of the Californias – while there is still time.
In the same issue Patricia Martinez wrote the following article summarizing the activities of the Mexican chapter and where it is heading:
ADVANCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN SAN IGNACIO LAGOON by Patricia Martinez Rios
As promised after the ESSA and Mitsubishi project was canceled in San Ignacio Lagoon, pro esteros has continued advising and supporting the communities in the area to achieve a sustainable community and economic development. The various workshops given in the communities were funded by IFAW, the Hewlett Foundation and the Packard Foundation have been very useful in strengthening the community. The response from the people of the community has been amazing and the results are already visible. The topics of the workshops range from Business Management, Modernization of the Cooperatives, Permaculture Techniques with experts from Mexico City. I personally have given them advice on obtaining funding, how to prepare proposals. And evidently they are excellent students as they have already received donations and financing for their proposals. In Punta Abreojos, the Abreojos Committee for the Protection of Natural Resources of Bahia Ballenas A.C. (CADERNABB) was formed. Through this organization and the workshops sponsored by pro esteros, a citizens group has been formed to separate and recycle trash. They have written a proposal for an oyster aquaculture laboratory and to develop ecotourism activities. And it seems that they already have funding from NRDC and Wildcoast has donated a boat. The people have attended classes and workshops and are now part of several networks and alliances such as the International Water Keepers Alliance. Their list of successes continues to grow day after day. As another result of the workshops, on the other side of the lagoon, the villages of La Base, El CardOn, La Freidera, La Laguna, and El Centro have established the Community Organization for the Protection and Development of San Ignacio Lagoon. This is the first time that all villages have worked in such an organized manner. With the support of NRDC and pro esteros, they have succeeded in their first collaborative effort – the construction of a school room. Subsequently, they have continued to organize activities of benefit to all of the community and have participated in forums, workshops. As in Abreojos, the villages of the lagoon have begun to receive funding realizing that by working toward a common goal is the best way to achieve community development. Pro esteros obtained $5,000 for each group from the Homeland Foundation with which office and computer equipment was purchased, as well as other items needed. The Summit Foundation donated a vehicle and funds for workshops. Now, Rubi Moreno, who was working with pro esteros on all of these projects, received an offer to work for the Reserve and Wildcoast to continue the work that pro esteros began. In Punta Abreojos we have been working with and training Angela Garcia. She is now coordinating environmental education activities with children, teenagers, and adults of Punta Abreojos with much success. The next pro esteros newsletter will contain more information about these activities. There is still much to be done, but the magnificent response of the community has made us even more committed, a commitment that grows each day. And many of those that continue to support them reflect and realize that the people of Laguna San Ignacio just need opportunities and training. We all can teach them how to improve their quality of life.
Since 2001 a new non-profit, the land trust Terra Peninsular, was founded by Alan Harper. Its purpose is to conserve/preserve the wetlands of Baja California by acquisition and then management by governmental agency or private NGO. The website is terrapeninsular and it is based in Ensenada. Another huge step in conservation in Baja California.