Cultivating Baja Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow

Greetings from Bahía de Los Ángeles! We are happy to be sending this update about how the Aventurero program that you help support continues to promote the values of stewardship, conservation, individuality, leadership, and responsible exploration in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve, and Marine Protected Area in Baja California, Mexico.

We recently set out on a hike where the 29th parallel meets the sea to find what awaited us there. Turns out it is mostly hunks of quartz crystals and elephant trees, which were fun to explore and learn about.

We are actively engaged in learning about the importance of the buddy system, proper usage of technical equipment, effective 2-way radio protocols, and comprehensive expedition planning.

Lately, our participants’ ages have been between 8 and 14, with the older Aventureros eager to pass along their experiences and expertise. Attendance is strong for both after-school labs and activities as well as weekend outdoor excursions.

Time and time again, we return to discussing the patterns that we see in our environment: like how the spirals in a seashell look like a turning galaxy, or how the ripples on the bay mimic the ripples of the sand during low tide, the seagulls squawk to the rhythm of pop music, and from her perch at the lighthouse at the end of a walk, one Adventurero even pointed out that the streets of our town resemble the layout of the "streets" in her ant farm.  

Take a scroll through the photos to watch the kids contemplate their environment, and thank you so much for your support.