Wildcoast

The mangroves, coral reefs, sea turtle nesting beaches, wildlands, coastal wetlands, and marine protected areas of the Mexican Pacific and California provide habitat for wildlife, play an important role in climate change adaptation and mitigation, and directly support local livelihoods and international industries. Unfortunately, climate change, overfishing, wildlife poaching, mining projects, tourism and urban development, and other challenges threaten these coastal ecosystems. Therefore, to conserve threatened coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife in Mexico and California and address climate change through natural solutions, WILDCOAST will carry out projects that together will help to conserve and manage over 38.8 million acres.MANGROVESThe conservation of Mexicos mangroves is a front-line defense in the fight against climate change. Mangroves buffer communities against hurricanes and sea level rise which both increasingly threaten the Mexican Pacific coast. They sequester tremendous amounts of atmospheric carbon and store it in their surrounding sediments. Mexico has the worlds fourth largest coverage of mangroves representing 5.4% of the worlds total coverage. Although protected by federal law, in the last 40 years, Mexico has lost 9% of its mangrove forest cover due to deficient land-use planning, unsustainable coastal development, pollution, sedimentation, and runoff. Therefore, WILDCOAST is conserving 73,214 acres of mangrove forest in the Gulf of California, Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula, and Oaxaca, Mexico.Protecting 68,009 acres of mangroves by continuing work to obtain federal zone conservation concessions. Conserving 449 acres of mangrove ecosystems in Laguna San Ignacio and El Conchalito by planting 35,000 seedlings and conducting at least two monitoring surveys.Exploring the expansion of restoration efforts across 5,436 acres of mangrove habitat in Oaxaca and Chiapas. CORAL REEFSCoral reefs play an important role in Mexicos ability to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. They provide natural protection against hurricanes and sea level rise. Coral reefs provide natural sand replenishment, nurseries for commercial fisheries, and ecotourism markets. Some species might also play a beneficial role in carbon sequestration and storage. Unfortunately, human disturbances are severely altering the balance of coral reefs, causing drastic changes in their composition. Local pollution, overfishing, coastal development, and climate change (it has been estimated that in the next 30 years, approximately 90% of coral reefs may die due to climate change) threaten coral reefs. Therefore, WILDCOAST is working to improve management in 38.2 million acres of protected areas that are home to more than 1,485 acres of coral reef ecosystems (Cabo Pulmo, Islas Marias, Isla Isabel, Islas Marietas, Isla Espiritu Santo, Revillagigedo, Huatulco, Islas de la Baha de Chamela).Monitoring six protected areas by conducting seven monitoring surveys using the standardized coral reef ecological monitoring protocol. Improving visitation management through outreach materials and trainings including the distribution of 4,000 good tourism guides in PNZMAES and Cabo Pulmo National Parks and training 50 outfitters in coral reef MPAs on best visitation practices.Training 140 fishermen and community members in best practices for coral reef protection.Promoting coral reef conservation by educating 1,500 people on the Mexican Pacific coast through educational kits and events. Estimating carbon storage in 577 acres of coral ecosystems in three MPAs.SEA TURTLE NESTING BEACHESIn southern Mexico, the beaches of Morro Ayuta and Escobilla in the state of Oaxaca are among the most important sea turtle nesting beaches on the planet. On the 9.3-mile beach of Morro Ayuta for example, more than one million sea turtles laid eggs producing more than 16 million hatchlings. Unfortunately, climate change, poaching, the presence of feral dogs, and habitat loss pose increasing pressures on the functionality of these beaches as nesting sites. Eggs, hatchlings, and nesting females are particularly vulnerable. Therefore, WILDCOAST is working to improve protection and oil spill response capacity for 476 acres of sea turtle nesting beaches in Oaxaca including 16.6 miles of olive ridley mass-nesting beaches at Morro Ayuta and Escobilla.Improving conservation of the sea turtle nesting beaches of Morro Ayuta and Escobilla, Oaxaca by protecting arribadas and continuing a predator control program for beetles and feral dogs. Improving visitation management at Morro Ayuta and Escobilla sea turtle nesting beaches in collaboration with the indigenous Chontal community of Rio Seco by distributing 1,000 sea turtle guides. Promoting sea turtle conservation by reaching 2,000 people through the distribution of 500 Sea Turtle Books for children and media coverage.WILD BAJAThe Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico holds some of the earth's last wild places and some of the most important natural protected areas. This region significantly contributes to substantial global coverage of terrestrial wilderness where human influence is reduced. The 51,295-acre WILDCOAST Valle de los Cirios Coastal Reserve is a private lands conservation protected area that contains one of the last remaining intact coastal regions on the Baja California Peninsula where wildlife is thriving and adventurous visitors enjoy pristine beaches, world-class surf spots and other coastal recreational activities. However, its remoteness and lack of management resources hamper efforts to monitor threats such as mining, infrastructure development, subdivisions, inappropriate tourism practices and lot sales. To protect the coastal wilderness of the WILDCOAST Valle de los Cirios Coastal Reserve in Baja California, WILDCOAST collaborates with the Ejido San Jose de las Palomas (the main landholder within Los Cirios) as well as visiting surfers to carry out conservation stewardship activities within the reserve. Supporting a local WILDCOAST Rangers to monitor protected properties on the Valle de los Cirios Pacific Coast.Carrying out 12 surveillance trips of protected properties.Providing conservation stewardship trainings with local families.Monitoring biodiversity using camera traps.Exploring opportunities to expand the reserve.COASTAL WETLANDSWetlands help sustain an ecologically healthy coastline and have watershed-wide benefits that extend to inland habitats and communities. The conservation of these sites enhances the ecosystem services that they provide including carbon sequestration, buffering against sea level rise and storm surge, filtration of sediments and pollutants, and opportunities for outdoor community engagement. Unfortunately, Californias wetlands have been dramatically reduced and constricted from their historic condition, leaving them surrounded by residential and commercial developments that are vulnerable to environmental stressors such as sea-level rise and climate change. Therefore, WILDCOAST is working to increase coastal climate resiliency in California by restoring 102 acres of degraded wetland habitat around Batiquitos Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) and San Dieguito Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area in San Diego County, California, to avoid emissions of 5,803 tons of carbon.Protecting and restoring 102 acres of riparian habitat surrounding Batiquitos Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) and San Dieguito SMCA. Leading the California Blue Carbon Collaborative (BCC) stakeholder working group. Leading the blue carbon sector of the Natural and Working Lands Coalition. Conducting a San Diego County Blue Carbon assessment by collecting and processing 200 soil samples and analyzing carbon stock.CALIFORNIA MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAs)California has the worlds largest scientifically-based and integrated network of marine protected areas, or MPAs. Spanning 545,280 acres and 16% of state waters, the network protects wildlife and their habitat while enhancing the recreational value of some of Californias most iconic coastal sites. Unfortunately, illegal poaching continues within these MPAs - both egregiously by commercial scale operations and unknowingly by the general public. Therefore, WILDCOAST is working to curb illegal poaching and improve enforcement within Californias MPAs.Managing three Marine Monitor (M2) RADAR units that survey 12,000 acres of MPAs in San Diego County. Conducting 40 boat-based and land-based ground-truthing surveys. Communicating M2 data to enforcement officials, allied agencies, prosecutors, and criminal investigators.Co-chairing the San Diego County MPA Collaborative Network.Leading the statewide MPA Compliance Working Group.Installing, managing, and replacing more than 90 MPA interpretive and regulatory signs.Leading the MPA Watch community science program