By Bárbara Ramírez and Antonieta Valenzuela
On Saturday April 23, more than 40 people, including members of the board, staff, associated researchers and friends of Terra Peninsular got together at Molino Viejo in San Quintín Bay to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the organization.
Making the best he could to give his speech in Spanish, the Board President, Alan Harper, recalled the origins of the organization and how just over 15 years ago everything began with the idea of creating an organization committed to the conservation of natural areas in Baja California, as well as its flora and fauna.
Alan also recalled the names of those who helped to found Terra Peninsular fifteen years ago on April 20, 2001 with the mission of conserving and protecting the natural ecosystems of the Baja California Peninsula. The same environmental conservation work that began 15 years ago has continued to date.
“With the help of many people, most of them are here, we worked on a very strong organization. I think that this bay is the most conserved in 5,000 miles of the Pacific coast of North America,” said Alan Harper about San Quintín Bay.
“It’s amazing that I can work and visit this place and see what I saw 20 years ago, and I am hoping that in another 20 years from now it looks just the same,” he said.
After his message, Alan proposed a toast to the anniversary, the accomplished achievements so far, and the successful road ahead of Terra Peninsular. He also said he is confident that Terra Peninsular still has a long way to go, certainly one filled with many successes.
Jim Riley, a great friend of Terra Peninsular, took the opportunity to take the word and pointed out that such beautiful places like San Quintín Bay are no longer found elsewhere in the world. On the other hand, he acknowledged the hard work that members and collaborators of Terra Peninsular have made to protect the bay from the threats it faces.
“It is really an honor to be part of this organization, I am very fortunate to have met such incredible, powerful, committed people, people who really make a difference, who fight to make this difference and who are truly committed,” said the Executive Director, César Guerrero, at the beginning of his speech.
He also emphasized on the commitment and work of the staff members and thanked each of them for the organization of the event, for the achievements of the recent years and for their commitment to the association.
“I have led a team for almost 3 years. We took the leadership and the truth is that we also took a risk. Today, I am completely convinced that it was the best decision of our lives,” he said referring to when he assumed the post of Executive Director.
To conclude, César handed the Board Members a small token of the staff’s appreciation for their constant support and recognized the four founding members who continue to protect the natural ecosystems of the peninsular of Baja California.