Soundings: April Issue

This Saturday, April 22, is the 47th annual Earth Day. At Eco-Alianza we can’t think of a better time to re-commit to following the path to sustainability. Whether it’s a personal pledge to reduce use of plastics, or getting involved in volunteer environmental work, or just being more aware in our purchasing habits, each of us can make a difference. Read in this issue of Soundings about some of Eco-Alianza’s current activities, and if you’re looking for Earth Day action ideas, follow the link:
http://www.earthday.org/take-action/

Whether you’re from México, Canada, the United States, or another country, a quote from U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt (“the conservation president”) conveys an important message for Earth Day:

“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”

U.S. Consulate Pays a Visit to Eco-Alianza

Jason Vorderstrasse, Chief of the Political/Economic Section at the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, stopped by Eco-Alianza late last month for a meeting and discussion with Eco-Alianza Executive President Hugo Quintero.

Jason was instrumental in setting the stage to initiate the international Sister Cities and Sister Parks relationships between Loreto and Ventura, California. He continued fostering the program and helping to facilitate approvals until the final sisterhood documents were signed by the presidents of both México and the United States late last year.

Although he will soon move to a new posting with the U.S. State Department, Jason said Loreto will always have a special place in his heart. And in fact, immediately after his meeting with Hugo he began his vacation time, right here in Loreto!

Jason has left big shoes to fill at the Consulate in Tijuana, but we’ll certainly welcome his replacement, Bridget Premont, as soon as she wraps up her current U.S. State Department position in Brussels, Belgium.

The mission of Eco-Alianza specifically supports preserving the “natural and cultural environment” around us, because the two are inextricably connected in Loreto. So what better way to express this than to host an exhibit of provocative paintings by Loreto artist Alejandro Curiel, whose work explores the relationships between humans and nature?

Curiel has produced a collection of 50 paintings titled Éremos, and has been showing an extract of the collection this month in the first-ever art exhibit at Eco-Alianza’s CenCoMA headquarters in downtown Loreto. And you and your friends are invited to a free reception with the artist this Friday, April 21 at 5:00 p.m., with the paintings available for purchase. A portion of proceeds goes to support Eco-Alianza programs. Curiel is well known for his mural in the stairway at city hall, and has recently had shows throughout BCS, as well as Mexico City.

Eco-Alianza Executive President Hugo Quintero said he expects more art exhibitions in the future, especially as the organization expands with more suitable exhibit space for art. He hopes the efforts will help local artists and contribute to local culture, as well as encouraging conservation messages through various artistic media. Additionally, Hugo said, he foresees individual artists or groups of artists benefitting from the business incubator programs that Eco-Alianza is developing. Possibly also exchange experiences through our Sister City, Ventura, CA.

There’s been a lot of press recently about all the blue whales in Loreto, and the huge success of the Blue Whale Festival, which certainly showed that people here love nature (and love coming here to view nature). Now a lot of local naturalists’ eyes have been turning to the skies, and to trees and land-based habitats, as Loreto’s first annual Festival of Birds and Wetlands this month celebrated the amazing diversity of avian life here.

The festival would not have been possible without the inspiration and organizational efforts of Mariana Urías and Casa Palmas Altas, and the dozens of volunteers who offered their (in several cases expert) services and assistance!

Activities included bird walks in Loreto and Loreto Bay, educational workshops, a photography class, talks about wetlands, protected species and other subjects, murals, art exercises, and a beach cleanup (learn more about this in next month’s Soundings). Although many “winter birds” in Loreto had already left for their northern migration, festival participants seemed quite pleased with the variety that was still here, as well as with how much they learned about our avian friends and how to enjoy them.

Visiting Scientist Presentations Draw Packed
House to Learn about Bats

Thanks to PhD candidate Jaclyn Aliperti, bat knowledge in Loreto took a huge leap forward at the end of March. “Jackie” presented two programs on successive nights (one in English, the other in Spanish) about her research in the Loreto area, specifically about the pallid bat.

The programs included general information about worldwide bats, as well as their conservation challenges, and followed Jackie’s scientific research in several Baja California Sur locations. Both programs drew standing-room-only audiences, with dozens of questions from the crowd and answers from the expert.

A huge thank you to Jackie, who flew here from UC Davis specifically to present these programs at Eco-Alianza. And congratulations are in order, as her study now has been published, not just inside the U.S.-based Journal of Mammalogy, but also gracing its cover!

(Do you know an interesting scientist who might enjoy presenting a program as part of our Visiting Scientist series? Please send us their contact information, or ask them to contact nidia.ramirez@ecoalianzaloreto.net)

Quintero Appointed to Entrepreneurship Board in La Paz

Eco-Alianza’s newest program, which supports entrepreneurs by “incubating” their local, sustainable businesses, already has gained recognition on a statewide level. Executive President Hugo Quintero recently traveled to La Paz to be appointed to a federally-supported Network of Support for Entrepreneurship that is active throughout Baja California Sur.

The board includes representatives from banks, hotel associations, universities, governments, and business incubators. It is supported by the federal Secretary of the Economy and the National Entrepreneurship Institute. Hugo said his appointment is a recognition of Eco-Alianza’s work and that he is excited to join this group that fosters entrepreneurship through trainings, media, mentorships, and other programs.

While they were here they visited Isla Coronados, took a tour of the city plaza area and the Misión, visited the Casa de Cultura where they learned a dance with local students, went whale watching, enjoyed a sea mammal workshop at Eco-Alianza, and traveled to San Javier and to a site to view cave art. Of course in their down time they also enjoyed several local restaurants and shops.

As part of their itinerary, the group also visited a local school where they made more connections with local children, participating in several activities that are sure to be the start of ongoing relationships (which is what exchange experience trips are all about)!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 5th annual Garage Sale and Raffle earlier this month – our Sponsors, Supporters, item donors, volunteers, and of course everyone who came to find some bargains (and support Eco-Alianza’s environmental education programs).

There are few events that embrace the “Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle” of conservation more fully than a garage sale. And beyond that, the event is always a wonderful social event, where part-year visitors to Loreto mingle with local Loretanos and everyone is in a festive mood!

Thank you so much for your support!

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