Collaboration benefits all
Conservation and restoration plans can only be effective if they are built from the ground up, bringing together the interests of local communities, stakeholders, and representatives of the different layers of society. Knowing the needs and challenges, the historic struggles and the dynamics within the various groups of people that have come to live on the coast is the key to understanding what can be achieved. A holistic path requires understanding and commitment by all.
Knowledge is power
When sharing knowledge and innovative ideas, academics, local people and conservationists can co-design projects that will restore nature, protect biodiversity, and improve food security. More often than not, the people working the land and fishing off-shore reefs already sense that things must change. Rivers run dry, fishing becomes scarce, and harvests become unreliable. With the right amount of engagement and support, we can empower people to produce food sustainably, while at the same time, increasing their quality of life.
Benefits of a Blue/Green economy
Growing an economy and protecting nature do not have to be mutually exclusive. A few decades of careless development has destroyed some of the most beautiful places in Mexico. The people of CostAlegre can avoid following that trajectory if they are willing to work with nature, not against it. The health of local communities is directly connected to economic and environmental health. Marine, coastal, and terrestrial conservation brings direct social and economic benefits to the people who live there and to those that develop and invest in the region.
Opportunities and growth
A healthier environment is directly linked to a better quality of life. Better practices in farming and ranching increase income, improve nutrition, and build food security for the region. Better access to markets with locally grown produce, salt, meat, and fish can drive production to be of higher quality and less quantity.
Ecotourism, if managed correctly, and accompanied by job training, can bring business opportunities to the people, and expand their range of options to make a living, It can also incentivize the younger generations to stay in CostAlegre rather than immigrate to the cities.
The Sierra A Mar vision strives to incorporate intellectual, political, and economic aspects to build a holistic plan for the future - a plan that restores and conserves nature and that builds pride and opportunities.
Creating reciprocity amongst all partners
The effectiveness of this plan relies on a mutual agreement to aim for extraordinary goals. The greatest challenge of this vision will be to knit together groups that are often at odds with each other. This may be the first time a conservation plan incorporates private landowners and coastal developers and makes them allies rather than enemies of conservation. Success will demand a healthy give-and-take amongst all stakeholders.