Increasing Community Participation and Citizen Science Initiatives for the Protection
of Critical Waterbird Habitat in the Estero Santa Cruz Ramsar Site and Surrounding
Estuaries of Sonora, Mexico
Prescott College Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies
II. Project Details
Project Need:
Through support from the SJV and others, the Prescott College Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological
Studies (Prescott) has become the leader in bird monitoring in the region, providing consistent and ongoing
data, as well as actively facilitating conservation and management efforts for critical waterbird habitat.
Through collaborative efforts of Prescott College, CONANP (Comsion Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas)
and Universidad de Sonora, Estero Santa Cruz was declared a Ramsar site in July of 2013. The Prescott College
Kino Bay Center, together with the institutions named above, has accepted co-responsibility for developing a
community-based management plan for the Ramsar site. In 2013-2014 Prescott College must expand and
integrate the work done through the Waterbird Monitoring Program (WMP) and the Environmental Education
and Community Leadership Program (EELP) toward effective legal and community-based protection for critical
habitat and priority nesting, migratory and resident waterbirds depending on Estero Santa Cruz. This work
extends to other esteros in the region and to Isla Alcatraz. It is imperative for bird conservation in the SJV Arid
Borderlands Region for the following reasons:
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The estuaries of coastal Hermosillo and the Sonoran Midriff Islands provide critical habitat for nesting,
feeding, and roosting waterbirds including numerous species identified by the SJV as Continental
Concern, Regional Concern, and Stewardship Responsibility species.
Significant gaps in the published literature exist regarding waterbird diversity, abundance, and habitat
use in the project region.
Insufficient information is available to adequately describe, document, and mitigate the impacts of
fishing, aquaculture, coastal development, and tourism on waterbird populations and habitats in the
project region.
Ongoing surveys are essential to describe waterbird diversity and abundance over time and to identify
and support the protection of critical habitat.
Collaborative monitoring combined with leadership development and education in neighboring
Mexican and indigenous Comca’ac communities are needed to raise awareness and cultivate local
stewardship and effective conservation of waterbird habitat.
Prescott College is the only institution regularly monitoring birds at any of the project sites (Estero
Santa Cruz, Estero Cardonal, Estero Tastiota, Estero Santa Rosa and Isla Alcatraz).
Authentic community participation in management plan development and conservation activities is
essential for waterbird habitat protection.
The Ramsar declaration has elevated the political importance of Estero Santa Cruz and made available
subsidies for community participation in conservation. The Kino Bay Center’s 23 year presence in the region
and history of working in waterbird monitoring and environmental education places us in the perfect position
to foment community understanding and involvement in estero conservation. This is not an easy task.
Stakeholders are not unified or empowered to participate and this process will require a large time investment
to bring marginalized fishers, who have spent their entire lives living and working in Estero Santa Cruz, into the
conservation effort. Achieving this collaborative conservation involvement will be an important success
toward true conservation of waterbird habitat; it will help to alleviate the tension between conservation and
economic survival of local fishers by using government subsidies to include local people in waterbird
conservation efforts.
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Project Details:
This project seeks to unify, integrate and continue to build upon the Center’s outreach work toward the result
of increasing community-based protection of critical waterbird habitat. Fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and
coastal development pose significant threats to estuaries and a lesser threat to the already protected islands in
the region. The WMP provides information vital to understanding and conserving waterbirds and their critical
habitats. In the winter of 2012, Prescott organized the “Legal Tools for the Conservation of Estero Santa Cruz
Workshop” which brought experts from throughout Mexico together with local community members, ecology
club students, academics, scientists, and governmental officials to discuss the next steps for the conservation
of the local estero. The workshop resulted in an action plan for conservation of the estero. Active participation
and collaboration of key government, NGO and community entities has already resulted in significant progress,
including: 1. Collaboration and submission of the Ramsar Site application for Estero Santa Cruz; 2. Designation
of Estero Santa Cruz as the 139th Ramsar site 3. Collaboration with the University of Sonora toward the
application for a research/education/eco-tourism concession for the 90 linear kilometers of remaining
undeveloped coastline of Estero Santa Cruz; 4. Increased focus on community involvement in conservation of
the estero; 5. Increased collaboration in science and monitoring.
Collaborative monitoring combined with community outreach, involvement, and education is needed to raise
awareness and cultivate local stewardship. The Prescott College Kino Bay Center consistently integrates bird
survey and habitat conservation themes into its successful Environmental Education and Leadership Program
(EELP). The EELP reaches 600 local students in grades 4-12 of the Kino schools each week. After learning about
the research and monitoring conducted by Prescott and the WMP, the EELP has created a specific educational
unit for the students regarding the ecosystem function, species richness and conservation challenges of Estero
Santa Cruz. In 2013, the EELP expanded its focus on Estero Santa Cruz by developing an applied coastal zone
management study unit for high school students.
The Prescott Indigenous Community Partnership Program (ICPP) supports the collaborative development of
waterbird monitoring projects in Comca’ac territory. During the 2011-2012 seasons the ICPP, with support
from the Christensen Foundation, assisted the Comca’ac in building capacity for project leadership. Two
waterbird monitoring groups were formed in Punta Chueca and Desemboque to monitor the estuaries within
the Comca’ac territory. The goal of the ICPP program is to support collaborative monitoring efforts that can
have powerful habitat conservation impacts by combining the rich knowledge of the Comca’ac people about
migratory birds and the data collection techniques of the WMP.
Project Locations (Figures 1-6):
The five project locations are spread along a 100km stretch of the Sonoran coast in the Mid-riff Island region of
the Gulf of California roughly 400 km south of the Colorado River Delta. Waterbird monitoring and research is
conducted on one island, Isla Alcatraz and in four negative estuaries: Estero Santa Cruz, Estero Cardonal,
Estero Tastiota and Estero Santa Rosa.
Project Objectives and Outcomes:
Objective 1: To work through our Environmental Education and Leadership Program and Indigenous
Community Partnership Program to increase community awareness, capacity, and participation in bird
monitoring and conservation efforts.
Outcomes:
 Continued expansion of community involvement in conservation projects such as habitat clean-ups,
and educational presentations.
 Strengthened Prescott – Comca’ac waterbird projects toward the development of written accounts of
migratory history.
 Development of a citizens committee to participate in management plan development.
 Advising and facilitation of community conservation projects subsidized with Mexican government
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funding.
 Preliminary exploration of sources of alternative economic income for community members involved
in waterbird or estuarine habitat conservation.
SJV and / or other bird initiative plan objectives: Goal 6, 3rd,4th and 6thobjectives of SJV Conservation Plan
Objective 2: To make monitoring data available to the scientific, birding, international, and local communities.
Outcomes:
 Continued inclusion of all monitoring data from our projects within: eBird and a database stored at the
Center that will be available to anyone upon request.
 Incorporation of this information into capacity and leadership development programs facilitated by PC.
SJV and / or other bird initiative plan objectives: Goal 6, 4th objective of SJV Conservation Plan
Objective 3: To collect, analyze and present baseline data about waterbird diversity and abundance, as well as
feeding, roosting and nesting use of Esteros Santa Cruz, Cardonal, Santa Rosa and Tastiota.
Outcomes:
 Publication of a description of the avifauna in these estuaries to fill gaps in the literature and make
information available to the general public.
 Comprehensive documentation of nest sites and colony descriptions will be created to serve as a
baseline for future studies, and records will be entered into e-bird.
 Participation in coordinated and cooperative working relationships with other groups and researchers
in the region.
 Presentation of information gathered for environmental education at local primary and secondary
schools and in outreach efforts for the local community in collaboration with the EELP.
 Presentation of informational posters at the Prescott College Kino Bay Center.
 Facilitation of education forums with stakeholders (fishers and aquaculturists) in Estero Santa Cruz.
Related SJV and / or other bird initiative plan objectives: Goal 1, 3rd and 4th objective of SJV Conservation
Plan; Goal 2, 2nd objective of SJV Conservation Plan; Goal 5, 3rd objective of SJV Conservation Plan.
Objective 4: To use collected data for the basis of management plans developed for newly designated RAMSAR
sites and other protected areas.
Outcomes:
 Incorporate local community involvement in development and implementation of long-term
community-based management plan for Estero Santa Cruz
Related SJV and/or other bird initiative plan objectives: Goal 3, objective 1 and 2; Goal 4, objectives 1 and 2;
Goal 5, objective 4.
Objective 5: To build upon the inter-institutional collaboration created during 2010-2013 including those with
CONANP, Pronatura, Proesteros, CEDO, DAN, DICTUS, SuMAR, CEDES.
Outcomes:
 Detailed memorandums of the understanding with DICTUS, CEDES, & CONANP for the active
management of critical habitat in Estero Santa Cruz.
 Development of collaborations for waterbird monitoring and habitat conservation in Esteros Cardonal
and Tastiota.
 Strengthened collaborations with CONANP to showcase the incredible importance of Isla Alcatraz.
 Facilitation of community forums.
SJV and / or other bird initiative plan objectives: Goal 6, 5th objective of SJV Conservation Plan
Objective 6: To continue monitoring nesting waterbirds, including: Brown Pelicans, Double-crested
Cormorants, Yellow-footed Gulls, American Oystercatchers, Craveri’s Murrelets, Great Blue Herons, Reddish
Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Tricolored Herons, Cattle Egrets, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Yellow-crowned NightHerons, and White Ibises on Isla Alcatraz to detect changes in nesting colonies and inform management.
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Outcomes:
 Publication of data to increase awareness of heron activity in this important region.
 Presentation of ecological information on posters and flyers to inform local community members and
visitors during Semana Santa of the importance of Isla Alcatraz as a nesting area for these species and
their vulnerability to tourist disturbance during nesting season.
SJV and / or other bird initiative plan objectives: Goal 2, 2nd objective of SJV Conservation Plan; Goal 5, 3rd
objective of SJV Conservation Plan
Objectives 7: To discover the locations of nesting priority species: American Oystercatcher, Wilson’s Plover,
Snowy Plover, and Reddish Egret and monitor breeding success.
Outcomes:
 Publication documenting the presence of these species, nesting sites, and productivity within the Arid
Borderlands Region.
 Presentation of information in collaboration with the EELP to students and community members of
Bahía de Kino in order to enroll local effort in protecting nesting sites.
 Inclusion of critical habitat for these species within the critical habitat map created by the Center.
SJV and / or other bird initiative plan objectives: Goal 2, 2nd objective of SJV Conservation Plan, Goal 5, 3rd
objective, Goal 6, 4th and 6th objectives of SJV Conservation Plan
Primary Audiences
The outreach efforts of the WMP are focused on a wide range of audiences with the intention of reaching as
many people as possible from the local community through presentations, teaching, workshops, flyers and
posters to the international level through publications and contribution of data to eBird. In addition the WMP
presents at conferences and works in collaboration with a wide range of NGO’s, universities, government
personnel and researchers to outreach to the research and environmental management communities. An
additional primary audience for the 2014-15 season are the fishers who have lived and worked in association
with local ecosystems for generations.
Methodology:
The Prescott College Kino Bay Center works to educate and expand community involvement in conservation
and management of estuaries and important island habitat for waterbirds. Outreach is accomplished on the
local level through flyers, posters, presentations and workshops that incorporate community members of all
ages, government agencies, and research institutions. Our goal is to empower community leadership. The Kino
Bay Center also works with government institutions, NGO’s and universities. All the data collected is also
shared on Ebird for open access. The results from the WMP are intended for publication and annual summary
reports. Educational posters and flyers are produced and placed in Estero Santa Cruz and on Isla Alcatraz to
educate visitors on the ecology and needs of the area and the birds.
Timetable:
All of the activities described above will be conducted regularly with the support of seven Conservation
Fellows, three permanent staff members and visiting Prescott College students and faculty between
September 1, 2014 and July 15, 2015.
Maps of Project Locations:
Please see Appendix
Evaluation:
Prescott and its partners will evaluate the success of the WMP based on review of our activities, products and
outcomes. This review will take place with input from the communities and our Advisory Board.
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Partners:
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Dr. Eduardo Palacios; Dr. Enriqueta Velarde; Dr. Dan Anderson; CONANP - Área de Protección de Flora
y Fauna Islas del Golfo de California, Sonoran office, Ana-Luisa Figueroa, Director; Comisión Nacional
de Ares Naturales Protegidas, Dirección Regional Noroeste y Alto Golfo de California, Carlos Castillo
Sanchez, Universitdad de Sonora, Departamento de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas
(DICTUS), Ramon Hector Barraza Guardado, San Pedro Mártir Biosphere Reserve, Ana-Luisa Figueroa,
Director; Pronatura Noroeste, Carlos Valdés, Director; David and Lucile Packard Foundation; Susan
Coleman Foundation; Christensen Fund; Marisla Fund of the Orange County Community Foundation;
Escuela Primaria Lázaro Cárdenas No.1, Bahía de Kino, Sonora; Escuela Primaria Lázaro Cárdenas No.2,
Bahía de Kino Sonora; Escuela Primaria Distribuidores Nissan No.47, Bahía de Kino Sonora; Escuela
Secundaria Técnica Estatal Industrial “Prof. Fermín Trujillo Fuetes”, Bahía de Kino Sonora; Preparatoria
por Cooperación de Bahía de Kino, Bahía de Kino Sonora; Club de Ecología “Xapoo”, Bahía de Kino
Sonora; Ejido El Cardonal, Sivino Galavis.
Letters of support previously submitted from:
 CONANP - Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Islas del Golfo de California, Sonoran office,
Ana-Luisa Figueroa, Director
 San Pedro Mártir Biosphere Reserve, Ana-Luisa Figueroa, Director
 Pronatura Noroeste, Carlos Valdés, Director
 Club de Ecología “Xapoo”, Bahía de Kino Sonora
 David and Lucile Packard Foundation
 Dr. Eduardo Palacios, CICESE
 Dr. Enriqueta Velarde, University of Veracruz
 Dr. Dan Anderson, UC Davis
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III. BUDGET
The work described in this proposal will be carried out through the Research and Conservation Program, the
Environmental Education and Community Leadership Program and the Indigenous Community Partnership
Program of the Prescott College Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies. Currently, the costs of the
these programs are covered primarily by Prescott College, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the
Sonoran Joint Venture of the USFWS, the Christensen Fund, the Marisla Fund of the Orange County
Community Foundation, the KAKATU Foundation and the Susan B. Coleman estate. Prescott provides funding
for the coordination, maintenance, administration and management of the field station, as well as the
coordination, supervision and administration of the research, conservation and outreach programs. Current
funding is not sufficient to adequately conduct the additional community work described here. The $10,000
requested in this proposal will be used partially fund fellows and coordinators doing this work.
BUDGET SUMMARY
Personnel
Research coordination
Benefits
Waterbird monitoring
Fellowship
Benefits
Community Volunteers
Community forums & conservation planning
Administration
Boating (Captain, boat, fuel, launch)
Land transport (Van and gas)
Supplies & Utilities
Office for research personnel
Housing for research personnel
Equipment
Institutional overhead (P.C. AZ)
TOTAL
SJV Request
Applicant
Partner
Contribution
Contributions
Prescott
(cash)
College
$1,000.00
$250.00
$2,000.00
$7,200.00
$1,800.00
$5,000.00
$5,000.00
$1,000.00
$400.00
$250.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$1,000.00
$750.00
$1,000.00
$10,000.00
$4,900.00
$15,750.00
Total
$3,000.00
$250.00
$0.00
$7,200.00
$1,800.00
$5,000.00
$5,000.00
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$1,400.00
$250.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$750.00
$1,000.00
$30,650.00
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Appendix:
Table 1. SJV Priority Species Identified Nesting in Estero Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Cardonal, or Tastiota
Scientific Name
Common Name
Concern
Relative Density ( SJV
Conservation Plan)
Egretta caerulea
Little Blue Heron
Continental
2
Platalea ajaja
Roseate Spoonbill
Regional
2 out of 2
Haematopus palliatus
(frazari)
Egretta rufescens
American Oystercatcher
Continental
3 out of 4
Reddish Egret
Continental
2 out of 2
Charadrius wilsonia
Wilson’s Plover
Continental
3 out of 3
Egretta tricolor
Tricolored Heron
Regional
2 out of 2
Rallus longirostris
Clapper Rail
Regional
5
Sternula antillarum
Least Tern
Continental
4
Ixobrychus exilis
Least Bittern
Regional
Sternula antillarum
Least Tern
Continental
Ixobrychus exilis
Least Bittern
Regional
3 out of 3
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3 out of 3
Table 2. SJV Priority Species Nesting on Isla Alcatraz With Peak Nest Numbers Between 2001-2012
Scientific Name
Common Name
Concern
Relative Density (SJV)
Max # nests
Synthliboramphus craveri
Craveri’s Murrelet
Continental
5 out of 5
Larus livens
Yellow-footed Gull
Continental
5
Haematopus palliatus
American
Oystercatcher
Reddish Egret
Continental
3 out of 4
Continental
2 out of 2
Regional
2 out of 4
Egretta tricolor
Double-crested
Cormorant
Tricolored Heron
Regional
2 out of 2
37
Pelecanus occidentalis
Brown Pelican
Additional
5 out of 5
1,367
Egretta rufescens
Phalacrocorax auritus
8
444
12
149
1,968
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Figure 1. Map of the Sonoran Central Coast focusing on Esteros Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Cardonal and Tastiota.
Figure 2. Map of Estero Santa Rosa.
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Figure 3. Map of Estero Santa Cruz.
Figure 4. Map of Estero Cardonal.
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Figure 5. Map of Estero Tastiota.
Figure 6: Map of Isla Alcatraz.
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