PERSPECTIVE
THE INTEGRAL TIE BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION By Emily Tanner Photos by Alejandro Arias
In MĂŠxico, there exist conservation programs of varying formats including government mandated Protected Areas (PA), Areas Voluntary Devoted to Conservation (ADVC) and areas under Payment for Environmental Services (PES) [1]. Each format requires the involvement of community, be it local, national, or global.
Photos by Alejandro Arias.
We live in a day and age in which human impact is evident in all corners of the earth, either directly or indirectly. As climate change is already in motion, even inaction is a form of participation in environmental changes. During my time in Baja California, getting to experience firsthand the unique terrain, conservation projects, and community involvement, I became aware of just how important humans are in the success or failure of conservation projects. As we pulled up in our not-so-white-anymore van close to we would be sleeping that night in San Quintin Bay, we were greeted by Guti, a friendly, smiling woman who plays an important role in facilitating relations between Terra Peninsular and the local community of San Quintin. After getting our bearings together, we headed on to our campsite, which was previously the house of a fisherman. The beach adjacent is a spot where people collect stones to sell to larger stores for profit. Upon arriving at the campsite, park rangers welcomed us and opened the gate, making the presence of the local community in the ADVC of San Quintin all the more visible.
La Chorera is a community located near the Punta Mazo Nature Reserve. Photo by Alejandro Arias. 13
MEDITERRANEWS VOL. 5 / NO. 20
www.terrapeninsular.org/mediterranews/en/
