Community embracing San Pedro Martir Pride campaign and having fun (photo essay)

This post originated on RarePlanet, our online community inspiring conservation. It was written by Latin America Pride Program Manager Oswaldo R Contreras Gonzalez.

On the public stage of Kino Bay´s boulevard, Campaign Manager Adriana Ochoa, Marina the sea turtle mascot, a group of volunteers, park staff, and about 200 Kineños had a great time performing and participating in Pride activities with games, gifts, music, and lots of education about sustainable fishing practices.

This presentation was part of a series of activities that Ochoa and Park Director Ana Luisa Figuero had designed for the Isla San Pedro Martir Biosphere Reserve campaign. The local citizens had fun with these unusual activities and games (and with a rather unusual sea turtle mascot), while also learning about conservation and sustainable fishing.

CONAP’s Rare Pride campaign will protect a habitat for 30 species in the Isla San Pedro Martir Biosphere Reserve by training local fishers in sustainable practices such as respecting no-take zones and selective fishing methods to reduce overfishing.

Volunteers designed a series of tasks to show how Kineños can promote sustainable fishing practices. The show was a great success and people were enthusiastic about the activities and games. By the end, Ochoar was exhausted but had a huge smile on her face.

The next day volunteers were painting murals in Kino, and Ochoa decide to make them a BBQ to celebrate their commitment with the Pride campaign. We received complimentary meals and rented dishes from a local business woman who wanted to help our campaign. She prepared meals of guacamole, home-made spicy sauces, and beans and said at the end, this was her small way to contribute to the cause.

These are the kinds of actions that inspire me as a Pride mentor. They help me understand why I do what I do, and they make me want to do things better.

Community support is one of the best ways to measure the success of conservation campaigns. Congratulations to Ochoa, Figueroa, and other partners that made this successful campaign happen.