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Baja California: November 2005

Our first season in La Paz is off to an outstanding start. We have worked with over seventy participants on Espiritu Santo from five La Paz high schools, and one group of students from the United States.

Prior to each course, we hold meetings at the local schools to prepare students for their time in the field. We lead team-building initiatives to focus the group, and review information about research protocols and the scientific method. Students’ parents have joined us at the meetings, and it has been wonderful to involve family members in our work, and to see moms and dads laughing alongside their children as they prepare for a week of field research and experiential education.

From our field camp on Espiritu Santo Island, students assist on two research projects. First is marine census work around the island to record the abundance of sea stars, sea cucumbers, and urchins. Student collected data adds to an on-line CONABIO database. The project gets the students snorkeling to observe the rich marine life present in the Gulf of California. The census work is followed up with lessons on biodiversity and marine protected areas.

Our second project involves monitoring beach types and human impacts. Students collect and classify benthic macroinvertebrates, and in doing so become more familiar with an important but infrequently observed part of the food web.

Near the end of each course, students visit La Balandra beach to pick up trash and compare protected and non-protected areas. And on the final day, they kayak to El Mogote in order to learn more about the ecological functions played by mangroves, and the important role of this unique landform that exists so close to their homes.

Shortly after their arrival, the US students partnered with local students to help clean up the Mueso de La Ballena in La Paz and translate interpretive signs for our student symposium, which was held on December 10th. More than one hundred local participants and partners gathered for the day to share their research from the season and ideas for conservation in Baja.

This program's success is making a difference in many people's lives; we look forward to what future programs may bring.

Thanks to our partners in this endeavor: Niparajá, Baja Expeditions, CONANP, CICIMAR, Teton Science Schools, PROBEA, and all participating high schools. And thanks to each of our supporters for trusting in our work.