Researchers

I am founding and acting director of the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans, CEDO, a binational non-profit organization that has been working for 37 years in the U.S. and Mexico, with the main office in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora and offices in Tucson and La Paz. CEDO’s mission is to foster vibrant communities and resilient ecosystems in the Northern Gulf of California and other eco-regions by integrating people, knowledge and solutions. I developed two regional programs in the Northern Gulf of California with education, research and monitoring programs.operating in several regions. Along the Sonora coast between Puerto Penasco and Puerto Lobos, I pioneered a marine spatial planning program that brings stakeholders from six communities together to plan for their use of this unique ecosystem. In its first phase we have worked with traditional users of wetlands and small-scale fishers. The latter are finalizing their plans for establishing a network of 23 fisheries refuges. The program is focused on ordering fisheries and creating a framework for integrated ecosystem management. On the Baja side, in the Upper Gulf of California Biosphere Reserve and Vaquita Refuge area, I am leading a task force for economic and community development to help these communities change their livelihoods to save the endangered vaquita. By creating an intersectorial forum that brings stakeholders together we hope to change the negative dynamic that has characterized these communities in recent years and build some community momentum for a more sustainable livelihood. We are conducting a formal social assessement of stakeholders in the region to understand how to take advantage of existing social and natural capital. Our integrated research includes such social assessments, and also involves modeling ecosystem -based management and climate change, and we coordinate community monitoring for climate change, fisheries resources, bycatch in small scale fisheries and are using video camera technology to document sea turtle bycatch in the Gulf of Ulloa. Education programs are focused on engaging youth throughout the entire Northern Gulf in environmental contests that contribute to solving the regions problems. Also we work with fishers, wetland users and other stakeholders to build capacity for decision-making and collective action. CEDO operates as a visitor center and field station at Puerto Penasco, as well, offering ecotours and other opportunities for tourists and students to learn about this region and participate in supporting sustainable livelihoods.  I believe firmly that complex systems require complex solutions and as such have created an institution and programs that address the complexities of management in two ecosystems and are holistic in that they involve community development, education and participation, research monitoring and development of management tools for ecosystem conservation and management.  I believe that not only direct stakeholders are needed for ecosystem management but the entire community must be involved and in the Northern Gulf of California this community is binational, with US markets driving much of the pressure on the ecosystem. I participate and direct many publications and articles to inform this public.