WiLDCOAST Collaborates Across Borders to Protect Coastal Ecosystems and Wildlife
The Baja California Peninsula is one of the most unique desert regions on earth – undisturbed beaches, expansive lagoons, bays, headlands and barrier islands provide a rich habitat for an assortment of animal species. Despite being so close to Southern California, so far, many sections of Baja remain relatively untouched. Unfortunately, poorly planned development projects present a continuous threat to the landscape. Large industrial and tourism development projects regularly put the peninsula’s coastal areas under significant risk of environmental destruction and could signify the loss of important ecosystem services.
For over 12 years, WiLDCOAST has been committed to protecting and conserving some of the most ecologically important, not to mention beautiful, coastal wildlands, lagoons, islands and marine ecosystems that remain in California, Baja California and the Sea of Cortez.
This biologically sensitive region does not discriminate between national borders. The same rivers, ecosystems, and, unfortunately, pollution cross from one side to the other, necessitating the need for cross-border cooperation and action.
Working through direct land purchases, conservation easement agreements and partnerships with government agencies and other like-minded organizations, WiLDCOAST has successfully conserved more than two million acres of coastal wildlands and wildlife habitat. This past year alone, they have protected 4,371 acres and 2.3 miles of coastline along the Valle de los Cirios Pacific coast. With initiatives throughout the Northwest Baja California region, WiLDCOAST is quickly becoming the leading protectorate of private lands in Northwest Mexico.
In 2011, WiLDCOAST led several major initiatives both in California and in Baja that have had a profound impact on reducing pollution, conserving resources, and limiting harmful development plans.
In California, they secured a $300,000 grant for the City of San Diego to improve the Otay Valley Regional Park and hosted the 8th Annual Dempsey Holder Ocean Festival and Surf Contest, which featured over 150 contestants from five countries and over 600 attendees. The event raised nearly $25,000 for conservation projects!
In Baja, one of their greatest advocacy achievements was an intensive national and international media campaign, designed to generate awareness about the sensitive Cabo Pulmo coral reef and put pressure on decision makers to cancel a mega development deal that would ruin the natural landscape forever. This multi-media campaign included photo exhibitions in Mexico City that highlighted the importance of the Cabo Pulmo coral reef, and reached an estimated 200 million people. The campaign resulted in 100 key stakeholders opposing the project. The development deal is currently under investigation.
In September and October of 2011, they also led the second binational Tijuana River Action Month. During this month, 14 organizations from the U.S. and Mexico held cleanup and stewardship activities. They mobilized 4,229 participants who removed 63,476 lbs. of ocean bound trash, to improve 3.25 acres of habitat. They also coordinated 10 cleanup and restoration projects in the Otay River Valley, rallying 392 volunteers who collected 5,500 lbs. of trash and helped to restore 83 acres of habitat.
More About This Charity
WiLDCOAST was founded in 2000 to protect and conserve some of the most ecologically important coastal wildlands, lagoons, islands and marine ecosystems that remain in California, Baja California and the Sea of Cortez.
- $1.5 million raised since Jan. 1, 2011
- More than 6 million people helped
- Two million acres of coastal habitats conserved so far
- 4,229 participants removed 63,476 pounds of ocean bound trash to improve 3.25 acres of habitat
United States and Mexico