Project Profiles - Mexico
From Tragedy to Triumph at La Presa de Silva
By Ana Escamilla, Institute of Ecology - State of Guanajuato
Meredith Gutowski, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Although La Presa de Silva is one of the smaller bodies of water in the State of Guanajuato, its location in the heart of Mexico's central migration corridor makes it one of the area's most important havens for migratory birds. Both wildlife and people have come to depend on this 8,800-hectare reservoir as a vital source of water amid the arid landscape of central Mexico. Given the high concentration of migratory birds it receives relative to its size, the condition of the reservoir's water can greatly affect the birds using it, for better or for worse.
Unfortunately, the "for worse" scenario has already been seen. During the winter of 1994-95, La Presa de Silva was the unfortunate site of the infamous die-off of an estimated 35,000 birds due to botulism. Investigative scientists from the Commission for Environmental Cooperation believe the reservoir's deteriorated condition and contaminated water supply ultimately led to this tragedy. More than 20 bird species were affected, including northern pintail, American wigeon, northern shoveler, blue-winged teal, lesser scaup, ring-necked duck, and ruddy duck.
Since then, a diverse group of partners from international, national, state, and local agencies, as well as members of the surrounding communities, have been working together to bring about and maintain the "for better" scenario at the reservoir. In 1998, partners received a $162,000 North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant and added $222,000 to launch the project Environmental Restoration and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources of La Presa de Silva. Through this project's combination of environmental engineering and social, economic, and educational activities, wildlife and people would once again have a healthy, reliable source of water at critical times of the year.
During the dry season, partners removed the reservoir's most contaminated layers of sediment, placed them behind a rock retaining wall, and covered them with clean soil and vegetation to facilitate a natural decontamination process. Water-control structures were built to block and divert polluted river water carrying industrial, agricultural, and municipal runoff. Partners also helped local farming communities learn how to better manage their use of water and agrochemicals and built tree-lined nature trails around the reservoir for recreational use by the area's 13,000 residents.
La Presa de Silva was recognized in 1997 as a State Natural Protected Area within the category Ecological Restoration Zone. Also, members of the local communities of El Liebrero, El Maguey, San Bernardo, San Roque de Torres, and Silva established a Civil Association, that has assumed stewardship of the reservoir.
This project illustrates how effectively a network of concerned land-users and scientists at the local, state, national, and international levels can work together to respond to and reverse an environmental disaster of international significance. Where they once gathered along its banks to watch in despair as thousands of dead and dying birds were being carted away, people now gather to experience the pleasure of watching thousands of birds using the migratory rest stop that they restored: La Presa de Silva.
For more information, contact Ana Escamilla, Institute of Ecology - State of Guanajuato, Calle Aldana S/N Esquina Subida al Panteon Nuevo, Pueblito de Rocha, Guanajuato, Mexico C.P. 36040, (524) 732-7887, aescamil@guanajuato.gob.mx.
Environmental Restoration and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources of La Presa de Silva Project Partners
Government of the State of Guanajuato
Institute of Ecology of Guanajuato
National Water Commission
Secretariat for Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries of Mexico
Municipality of San Francisco del Rincón
Kicking-off Conservation of Sinaloa's Coastal Habitats
by Jim Corven, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
The coastal bay and lagoon habitats of Sinaloa, Mexico, and the shorebirds that flock to their shores were front-center stage at a 5-day workshop sponsored by partners of the Conservation of Birds in Western Mexico Project, which received a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant.
More than 40 participants made the trip to Sinaloa in February to attend the workshop, including scientists, students, educators, and key officials from federal, state, and municipal agencies. Participants received a comprehensive training manual, published by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, and Beyond Borders, a bilingual booklet about shorebirds published by the Saskatchewan Wetlands Conservation Corporation.
Workshop topics included bird identification, estimation of bird numbers, avian habitat needs, and land-management principles. Field trips to nearby Playa Ceuta Lagoon made real the bird conservation principles and practices taught by local and international researchers and experts during the workshop sessions. Students from Canada's Simon Fraser University conducted banding demonstrations using mist nets over the lagoons, giving attendees the delight of experiencing birds up close.
Daily field trips and an airboat tour of the lagoon, provided by the local duck club, gave participants the opportunity to identify shorebird species and estimate their numbers. By the end of the workshop 18 species had been named and tens of thousands of birds counted. A single day's count totaled over 16,000 birds, including at least 350 snowy plovers on one site.
The project's goal is to address bird habitat conservation issues in Sinaloa through monitoring, land-use, and public outreach. This workshop marked the initiation of the project.
The coastal bays and lagoons of Sinaloa host at least one-third of the Pacific Flyway's North American wintering shorebirds and tens of thousands of waterfowl each winter. Concerns over expanding agriculture, aquaculture (shrimp farms), and urban development have strengthened the interest in managing the State's critical wetland habitats and in seeking sustainable options for economic development. During the workshop, it became apparent that an integrated approach to conservation of wetland habitats for all birds would be the most practical and effective strategy for this region, which is widely recognized for its importance to birds.
The project's partners will identify the most critical sites to begin conservation activities, assist in the implementation of local management plans, and develop public outreach and education strategies to get communities involved in conservation through eco-tourism and educational programs.
Because of the partners' determination and the communities' involvement, generations to come will be able to enjoy the birds of Sinaloa's coastal habitats.
For more information, contact Jim Corven, Director of Western Hemishpere Shorebird Reserve Network, Manomet, Massachusetts, jmcorven@manomet.org, or Xicotencatl Vega, Project Coordinator, Culiacan, Sinaloa, xicove@campus.sin.itesm.mx.
Conservation of Birds in Western Mexico Project Workshop Partners
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Prairie Pothole Joint Venture
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - International Affairs
Ducks Unlimited Mexico
SEMARNAP
Municipality of Elota
Autonomous University of Sinaloa
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Sinaloa Campus)
Western Hemishpere Shorebird Reserve Network
Sinaloan Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity