Dear Friends of Eco-Alianza,
I am writing you on behalf of the Board and staff, dedicated volunteers, students and our entire team who want to sincerely thank you for your kind and generous support during 2013. It is because of you that we have been able to make such great strides in accomplishing our mission to conserve the natural and cultural environment of the Loreto region. We wish to share here some highlights and our “wish list” for 2014.
During the coming year, we look forward to improving the enforcement of Park rules and regulations by increasing awareness of stakeholders about the rules and regulations of the Bay of Loreto National Park. We plan to launch the exciting “Sister Park” project in 2014, and we are pleased to inform you about the possibility of a conservation alliance among our respective partners: the Bay of Loreto National Park, the Channel Islands National Park and the University of California at Santa Barbara. The program promises to benefit our national Park, its spectacular biological riches, and the citizens of Mexico and California. We plan to work collectively to determine the level of interest in a formal, multi-party partnership, what the University is possible of committing to the partnership, and what the UC Natural Reserve system might offer with respect to addressing the Park’s research needs, particularly as they pertain to the science-based management of our world-renown marine biodiversity.
As an integral part of the Sister Park program, we plan to implement Phase II of the Community Center for the Environment (CenCoMA), by remodeling an existing garage structure on the CenCoMA property that will serve as the Interpretative Learning Center/Natural History Museum. Our vision is a Center that is the educational hub for visitors and locals alike at once supporting the eco-tourism industry with training and job opportunity.
We plan to expand the role of our Loreto Coastkeeper program to closely monitor development in the coastal zone to avoid negative impacts on near-shore water quality, and give support to a new engineering study of the fresh water and the outdated failed sewage infrastructure made increasingly evident by the October, 2013, tropical storms. To accomplish this, Eco-Alianza is collaborating with the private sector and government authorities to fix these serious problems adversly affecting the quality of life and the health of our citizens.
In addition to the above, more information about our important ongoing and new programs that need your continued support: responsible fishing and consumption, environmental education and youth leadership, waste management, outreach projects and campaigns can be found at our website:
www.ecoalianzaloreto.org
www.facebook.com/Eco.Alianza.Loreto
As you note, we have some big goals and aspirations that are briefly described here, but know we can with your continued support. We wish you a world of love, peace, prosperity, health and happiness at the New Year and always.
Warmest regards,
Yvo Arias Salorio, Board President
Board of Directors
Hugo Quintero Maldonado
Rodolfo Palacios Castro
Linda Kinninger
Luz Maciel Acosta R.
Rosa Campos
Erik Cutter
Kathryn Mitchell
