WILDERNESS IN GUANAJUATO? --- YOU BET!!!!

By Ric McBrier

July 13, 2010 - 3 pm - Teatro Santa Ana at La Biblioteca Publica, Insurgentes #25

Join Audubon for a fascinating lecture about the Reserve de la Biosphere Sierra Gorda de Guanajuato. This expansive reserve offers extraordinary diversity of fauna, birds and wildlife and is located just 30 kilometers east of San Luis de La Paz, here in the state of Guanajuato. Landy Carolina Orozco Uribe, a biologist and manager of the reserve, will present information regarding this new and important treasure of biodiversity.

The Sierra Gorda de Guanajuato Biosphere Reserve was established in 2007 to preserve the extraordinary diversity of species in the surrounding wilderness area. The reserve includes 236,882 hectares of land (over 900 sq miles!), with temperate and tropical forests, mountains and scrublands. The Biosphere, near the towns of Xichu, Victoria and Atarjea in far-eastern Guanajuato state, features the sources of the beautiful Santa Maria river, a number of volcanoes and a wide variety of ancient trees and other fauna – all just a two hour drive from San Miguel.

Landy will talk about the work that the reserve is doing with local communities to preserve and restore the region’s environment. She will also talk about their bird observation project, opportunities for birders, and ecotourism projects that others may participate in.  The Guanajuato Biosphere Reserve is a major new asset to all of us in San Miguel, especially those interested in ecology.

Landy’s talk is a great opportunity to learn more about the reserve and the work being done by the Mexican government and international organizations to preserve biodiversity and local communities.  The following website has more information on the Biosphere and its projects: http://www.alasdegto.blogspot.com/. Also, check out Sierra Gorda Guanajuato on Facebook. There are some outstanding photo albums of the surrounding area and its beautiful landscape.

 The lecture is free for Audubon members.