Acquisition of Land Rights as a Conservation Tool in Order to Protect an Important Bird and Wildlife Habitat in the Northern Portion of the Yucatan Peninsula

Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan recently acquired the rights to 5,681 acres (2,300 ha) of wetlands and one of Yucatan state´s last portions of medium-height forest, a very important habitat for endemic birds and other wildlife species. The objective is to help to cushion the threats that weigh upon the natural wealth in the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, as well as to protect important habitats and the existing wildlife in the adjacent properties. This is the second occasion in which an Environmental Conservation NGO (non-governmental organization) of southeastern Mexico has utilized private-ownership rights in the form of land acquisition as a conservation tool to protect ecologically important and strategic lands.

Objective

To improve the protection of biodiversity in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula, with particular emphasis in the conservation of the bird habitats.

Expectations

To create wildlife corridors between adjacent properties in the Reserve through the purchase of 3,000 hectares in two years.
Establish an endowment fund for the acquired properties and to devise a management program for such funds.
Involve surrounding communities in conservation of the area.
Establish strategic alliances with research centers and universities in order to develop research and monitoring projects.

Results

Established basic zoning of the property and an operating program for inspection and guarding purposes, basic activities of fire prevention and an elaboration of cartography of the area is in progress.
PPY thanks the financial backing of The Nature Conservancy, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for the development of this project