The Grupo Tortuguero turtle leads the World Environment Day Parade in Mulegé. June 5, 2006

World Environment Day is a chance to carry the message of conservation forward to new audiences, especially children and youth. This year, on June 5, 2006, Pro Peninsula and the Grupo Tortuguero both leapt at the opportunity. Fundación La Puerta once again held its annual World Environment Day festival in the city of Tecate, drawing over 1,000 people. Pro Peninsula was there, hosting a booth with interactive activities for children. Kids painted what they observed in their surroundings, learned about sea turtles and the peninsula’s many other treasures, and the need to protect them for future generations.

The Grupo Tortuguero rose to the occasion as well. The ‘traveling turtles’ set out for Mulegé and La Paz. Their mission was to educate people across Baja California Sur about the 5 different species of sea turtles found in the nesting and feeding sites around the peninsula, the important role that their state plays in the survival of these wonderful animals, and the steps their communities can take to protect them.

by Tim Dykman The Seri Indians have long been stewards to a unique array of marine and coastal biodiversity in the Northern Sonora and Central Gulf regions of Mexico. They live in a place that is both shockingly harsh and extraordinarily rich. As classic hunter-gatherers their economic, cultural, political and spiritual fortunes have always been inextricably woven with their natural world. Grupo Tortuguero Comcáac is the marine component of a community-wide plan created by a team of Seri Indian elders and youth that uses traditional teaching and modern science to respond to 21st Century social, economic, cultural, political and environmental pressures. Its collaboration with western scientists and the larger Grupo Tortuguero effort in Mexico has brought the outside world into the Seri community in a positive way, effectively competing for youthful minds against an influx of packaged foods, television and drugs while protecting the ocean on which their lives depend.

Grupo Tortuguero Comcáac joins Pro Peninsula, Ocean Revolution and Aquatic Adventures in López Mateos

The group’s sea turtle monitoring program began in 2000 and through this program unique information about their migration and foraging behavior in highly stressed areas is being compiled.

As a Grupo Tortuguero member and the official Baykeeper of Magdalena Bay, Baja rebel Julio Solís leads the fight to save his environment

Julio was among the first group of fishermen who dedicated themselves to building the Grupo Tortuguero network. “I’m interested in protecting sea turtles...being such an ancient creature, it’s not right that they could be lost forever by our own hands.” Julio began monitoring turtles in Bahía Magdalena, surrounding his home of Puerto San Carlos, in 2000. One of the experiences that most inspired him to continue with his work took place that very summer when they captured a 310 pound turtle. “Never had I seen a turtle completely jump out of the water, we named him ‘la gata’ (the cat).” “I would like to tell everyone that we must learn to appreciate the richness of this world...when tomorrow comes it will be a shame if we are only able to talk to our children about the sea turtles that swam off our shores, and they aren’t able to know them.”

Over fifty people fought the hairy beach parking to join the festivities at Pro Peninsula's Baja Bash. We had great company, good food, wonderful prizes, beautiful weather, and lots of laughs - even the giant sea turtle stopped by! Many thanks to all of you who were there to support us, and also to those who couldn’t make it but contributed in other ways. We were able to raise over $4,000 to support conservation throughout Baja California! Of course it’s not too late to support this effort, click here or on the Donate Now button below, to give today! In honor of our Fifth Anniversary, we would like to recognize a few of the people who have helped us achieve this milestone.

Happy 5th Anniversary Pro Peninsula!

Matt Schultz and Schultz Surf: Most Committed Supporter – Matt has been one of our most committed supporters since our inception. He has consistently given to all of Pro Peninsula's campaigns and he never hesitates to help out with donations of cool Schultz Surf swag for our events! We thank Matt for always being there to help out in whatever way he can.
Rachel Tuck: Most Dedicated Volunteer – Rachel puts her heart into her service and is our most enthusiastic volunteer. Her passion for the marine environment is obvious in all she does and we thank her for all the time and energy she has given Pro Peninsula helping out at events in San Diego and Baja!
Barb Andrews: Outstanding Board Service – Barb, who is always ready to assist in any way she can, consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty. Her passion and dedication is an inspiration for us all and we are lucky to have her as a member of our Board of Directors.
Marine Turtle Research Program: Most Under Recognized Collaborator – Peter Dutton, Jeff Seminoff, Robin Leroux and their team at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center are extremely generous with their time, knowledge and resources every year when they allow elementary students in the San Diego area to come observe their sea turtle research efforts in San Diego Bay as part of one of Pro Peninsula’s education programs. Without them, this extraordinary program would not be possible!
Mark Spalding: Pro Peninsula Visionary – Mark has been advising Pro Peninsula since before its inception and has been instrumental in leading the organization as Board Chair, mentor, visionary and friend. His expertise and support has been invaluable, without his guidance Pro Peninsula would not be the successful organization it is today.

An in-depth discussion on water issues in Loreto

The municipality of Loreto (population ca. 12,000) finds itself at a turning point, as the area’s urban plan is debated in the midst of unprecedented development pressures. On June 5th, Pro Peninsula organized a meeting focused on water and marine resources in the municipality of Loreto and the adjacent marine park. The topics of presentations covered the capacity and infrastructure of fresh water in Loreto, best practices for desalinization, and the potential impact to the resources of the Loreto Bay Marine Park.

A diverse audience attended, including citizens of Loreto, developers, local government representatives, academics, foreign residents, and NGO leaders from Loreto and La Paz. Lively discussion followed each of the presentations, with audience members and presenters engaging in substantive question and answer sessions. Involving the citizenry in water management, potential effects from desalinization, demographic impacts of large-scale tourism developments, and designing a regional water management plan were all hot discussion items.

To see the meeting agenda, list of presenters, or to download their presentations, click here.

Get Out There! transports American families on nature tours in stunning wilderness areas to see an amazing array of wildlife and develop an appreciation for the natural world. In this unique episode, Pro Peninsula's J. Nichols joined the local organization Amigos para la Conservación de Cabo Pulmo and a team of local experts and conservationists, to take one lucky family on an unforgettable adventure. The group got close to whales, sea turtles, dolphins and manta rays, snorkeled Cabo Pulmo's reefs and hiked to nearby waterfalls.

The Animal Planet crew with members of Grupo Tortuguero/Pro Peninsula on the sea turtle nesting beach in San José del Cabo, BCS

The episode also featured the biodiversity of Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park as well as Sierra la Laguna Biosphere Reserve and Estero San José. Thanks to the great work of Eréndira Valle of ACCP, Graciela Tiburcio and the Manuel Orantes municipal turtle camp, and of the Presidente Intercontinental Hotel, we were able to film some amazing olive ridley and leatherback turtle releases and experience some of Cabo Pulmo’s spectacular wildlife.

This was a wonderful opportunity to show the world the incredible natural environment of Cabo Pulmo and the Baja California peninsula. The family expressed how truly amazing it was when they said “Let’s just say, you never get to do that every day in your life. It’s a great experience…..I love it!”