SPECIAL
Urgent
Bulletin
June 2, 2016
Dear Friends of Terra Peninsular,:
T
he Board of Directors of Terra Peninsular has asked me to write you this letter.
We have worked toward the conservation and protection of the natural ecosystems and wildlife
of the Baja California peninsula for fifteen years. To date, we have managed to permanently protect 22,000 hectares (54,363 acres) of dunes, beaches, wetlands, forest, and coastal scrub in Baja
California.
Throughout this time, we have had the active and ongoing support of researchers, scholars, community
members, business owners, government representatives and donors. Today, our most prominent conservation project is being threatened and it is extremely important for us to share with you the background
of this situation and the steps we are taking in order to protect the natural heritage of the peninsula for the
Mexican people and to defend the work of our organization.
In 2012, Terra Peninsular, thanks to the support from Mexican and international conservationists and donors, was able to acquire a property of 830 hectares (2,050 acres) in the San Quintín Bay known as PUNTA
MAZO. Likewise, early this year we managed to protect Monte Ceniza, an 860 hectares (2,125 acres) land in
central San Quintín Bay. Together, they form and protect the bay, which is home of endemic species such
as Anthony’s live-forever (Dudleya anthonyi) and the fascinating legless lizard (Anniella geronimensis). Its
vegetation includes some of the richest and most intact coastal scrub in the region, and it is the winter
home to nearly 25,000 migratory birds. As with any other land purchase for conservation purposes, the
legal research of the property titles was conducted with due diligence and extreme precaution.
In 2012, Terra Peninsular, A.C. became the official guardian of this natural space, which was certified as
an Area Voluntarily Destined for Conservation (Área Destinada Voluntariamente a la Conservación, ADVC)
by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) in 2014. Conservation actions have
been conducted in the nature reserve, such as continuous biological monitoring and the construction of
two interpretive stations. We have involved the surrounding communities in activities regarding sustainable development, festivals and workshops that have raised local awareness and community support for
conservation projects.
On May 17, 2016, we went to the local Land Registration Office to pay the annual property taxes. To our
surprise, we were informed that the property office codes (claves catastro) we have been using to pay our
taxes ever since we acquired the property had been cancelled and ten new codes had been created. In
addition, fals