By Verónica Meza and Jonathan Vargas / Terra Peninsular
This article was translated by Marianna Gámez
We went on a tour around the nature reserves during the second day, having the work meeting as a background to understand the problem, the biological qualities and social needs for local development.
We could not miss the opportunity to take a tour on the beloved land we struggle to preserve every day. Some were astonished to see this land for the very first time; and others, who find joy working continuously on this paradise, could still appreciate its charm during the tour.
Our day could not have started better; we started our day very early with a delicious breakfast prepared by the owner of the cozy hotel where we stayed, the Old Mild.
At this moment, we were all very eager to start the tour which, even though it was part of the work agenda, was designed specially to highlight the ecotourism value of the bay and the Volcanic Field, so that we could all experience this place’s magic speaking by itself, without leaving aside the issues and management and conservation needs that are present on the site.
ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE
Once we started our adventure, the first stop of the tour was the Chapala wetland lookout, which has become a strategic point in nature interpretation tours, not only because of the impressive landscape beauty eagerly inviting us to explore it and take a souvenir photo of their channels and marshes, but also for its importance and positive impact it has had on society.
This impact is the result of the work we have done with the communities, since they designed and participated in the construction of the trail and the interpretive station thanks to the Temporary Employment Program (PET), and that in turn, they have rightfully appropriated it as their own, since it is the result of their efforts towards their community.
After visiting the Chapala wetland, our next stop was in the agricultural fields, where we met the other side of the bay; perhaps it is the part that we like the least, but it was essential to show it.
Here we took a few minutes to observe and reflect on the impact of unplanned agricultural production in San Quintin Valley, which, although it represents a great economic contribution to the region, it also represents a very important environmental damage. In this moment of reflection, some of us wavered for a moment and questioned ourselves if our work is strong enough, because the millions of pesos that are generated end in the hands of a few, but the damage to the ecosystem affects everyone equally.
After that moment of reflection, we went to Monte Ceniza Nature Reserve where our friends Jorge Miros and Miguel Téllez, PhD., from the Autonomous University of Baja California UABC, talked about the history and formation of the San Quintín Volcanic Field, which fascinated us.
We could not miss the opportunity to go to the top of the Monte Ceniza volcano; it was a pleasant walk that, when we reached the peak, gave us an impressive 360 ° view of San Quintín bay. Even those who have visited this place more often were surprised by its scenic beauty.
Eduardo Borbolla from CONANP (National Commission of Natural Protected Areas) said, “It is bigger than I imagined,” even though he has traveled through the whole bay in the past. Without a doubt, it is a magnificent place of which the souvenir photo could not be missed.
After seeing this site and having taken a short snack break, we visited another beautiful place within the Volcanic Field to see an area destined for conservation managed by Terra Peninsular and SPA, which was designated as a State Natural Protected Area in the RAMSAR polygon.
Thanks to the fact that we were fortunate enough to be accompanied by Sula Vanderplank, PhD., a specialist in the flora of Baja California, we were able to observe a great variety of endemic and native species of the region, such as Anthony’s liveforever (Dudleya anthonyi , D. cultrata and D. attenuata), cacti such as San Diego barrel cactus (Ferocactus sp.), and cholla (Cylindropuntia sp.). Vanderplank also showed us how exotic species like the common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) have colonized a great part of the bay, displacing native plants.
As we continued our journey, we passed through the sandy beach of La Chorera community where, without stopping, we observed how the illegal extraction of pebble affected the sand dune and the home of the amazing Baja California legless lizard (Aniella geronimensis), an endemic species of the state; the alarming situation is that the dune continues to erode by wave effect.
Rigoberto Guardado informed that UABC, in its great research trajectory, counts with studies to support the dune restoration plans that are being prepared for the area.
IN ALL SENSES: PUNTA MAZO
At the end of our tour we went to El Refugio in Punta Mazo Nature Reserve, where we had prepared a surprise that consisted of a delicious meal prepared by our friends Agustina and Olga, who live in La Chorera community.
Summarizing the agreements generated during the work meeting, we closed that great day enjoying a delicious dinner near the bonfire, listening to the sound of the waves and camping with the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, seen from Punta Mazo Nature Reserve, the impressive Area Destined Voluntarily to Conservation.
