SAN PANCHO ESTUARY RESTORATION
The Importance of the Ecosystem Services of the Estero de San Pancho and How You Can Help
The Estero de San Pancho is much more than a beautiful landscape; It is a vital ecosystem that provides us with a range of essential ecosystem services. From acting as a nursery for marine life to providing public health benefits and scenic landscapes, their preservation is crucial to our community and natural environment.
Valuation of Ecosystem Services
Marine Life Nursery: Estuaries, as bodies of brackish water, are crucial for the reproduction of many marine species. These spaces provide a safe habitat for the development of juvenile fish and other aquatic species, which return to the ocean during the rainy season to continue their reproductive cycle.
Storm Protection: Estuaries act as natural barriers that cushion the impact of storms and storm surges, protecting coastal communities and their infrastructure.
Improved Water Quality: They filter contaminants and sediments, improving water quality and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.
Climate Regulation: Estuaries capture and store carbon, helping to mitigate climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Scenic and Recreational Benefits: They offer spaces for recreation, ecological tourism and environmental education, which has a positive impact on people's mental and physical health.
Costs and Benefits of Estero Restoration
Keeping the estuary healthy has a cost, but the benefits far outweigh the investment. Restoration and maintenance of the estuary involves an estimated minimum cost of $180,000 MXN ($10,800 USD) for a three-month program for four guardians working on water lily removal.
Daily Cost per Guardian: $500 MXN
Daily Cost for 4 Guardians: $2,000 MXN
Weekly Cost for 4 Guardians: $12,000 MXN
Total Operating Cost of the Program (3 months): $144,000 MXN
Operation and Administrative Cost (25%): $36,000 MXN
Program Total: $180,000 MXN
Participate as Hero or Guardian
We invite the local community, especially those with financial resources and a passion for conservation, to participate in the "Heroes and Guardians of the Estero" program. With your support, we can hire local wardens, provide them with employment during the off-season, and keep the estuary healthy.
Adopt a Guardian for a Day: $500 MXN
Adopt a Guardian for a Week: $3,000 MXN
Adopt a Guardian for a Month: $12,000 MXN
Contributing to the program not only helps conserve the estuary, but also supports local families and promotes community cooperation.
Take Action Now: Visit the program page for more information and to contribute to this noble cause.
Testimonial Visit of 60 Kearney members to the San Pancho Bird Observatory August 6, 2022
“With great enthusiasm and energy, the Kearney-Mexico team made its visit to support the San Pancho Bird Observatory to remove water lilies in the San Pancho beach estuary on August 6, 2022. The removal of the lilies is crucial since it alters the fish ecosystem. The team removed more than 15 tons during the visit in about 3 hours.
The leadership of Luis Morales - Director of the Observatory - provided great motivation by explaining both the ecological problem and the barriers they face to solve it more effectively, which result from regulatory, funding and operational aspects. At the same time, Luis organized us to make the cross fit fun and with team spirit.
Our reflection as a group was that this first contact raised our awareness and as Kearney we will continue to support the Observatory to reach a solution in a structured and sustainable way.
All of us at Kearney are very grateful for the contact and the facilitation. First of all, we want to thank Claudia Marin, Director of Fejal, for introducing us to Alejandra Rivera, Director of the Punta de Mita Foundation, and Gricelda Orozco, Director of Development of this Foundation, who were the link with their ally, the San Pancho Bird Observatory.
In short, a great initiative and a powerful network of Foundations to provide solutions that make a difference… A thousand thanks from the Kearney team”.
