Protecting the Baja Peninsula
NRDC works with local partners to protect the Baja California Peninsula’s unique coastal and marine ecosystems from exploitation and overdevelopment.
Since defending Laguna San Ignacio—the last pristine nursery of the California gray whale—from plans to build a massive saltworks complex there, NRDC has remained committed to working with local partners to safeguard the marine and coastal habitat of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.
- As part of the Laguna San Ignacio Conservation Alliance, a coalition of U.S. and Mexican environmental groups and members of the local community Ejido Luis Echeverría Álvarez, we’ve worked to ensure permanent protections for the lagoon, including almost 340,000 acres of key land around it and some 150 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline.
- At the southern tip of the peninsula, NRDC joined local groups, scientists, and community members to defend the thriving coral reefs of Cabo Pulmo National Park from plans to build a colossal tourism and real estate complex called Cabo Cortes. Every time the project’s proponents have attempted to resuscitate the proposal, we have helped the Cabo Pulmo Vivo Coalition defend our hard-won victory.
- Bordering the peninsula on the east side are the rich waters of the Gulf of California—a World Heritage Site—which supports a stunning diversity of marine species, including the vaquita porpoise. Found only in the northern Gulf of California, the vaquita marina is the world’s most critically endangered marine mammal. Over the years, NRDC has worked on several fronts to save this species, from raising awareness about vaquita threats in seafood markets to using U.S. laws and international conventions to pressure Mexico to halt the vaquita’s decline. With only 10 vaquitas left, NRDC is racing against time, holding Mexico accountable for the vaquita’s fate.
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World Wildlife Conference: Last Chance for Vaquita
Expert BlogWest, California, MexicoZak Smith
The smallest porpoise species, found only in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico, has only around ten individuals left, making it the most critically endangered marine mammal on the planet.
Saving the Breeding Grounds of the Pacific Gray Whale
NRDC in ActionMexicoPatrick Rogers
NRDC led the international fight to keep industrial development out of Mexico’s pristine San Ignacio Lagoon.
Conservation and Community in Laguna San Ignacio
Expert BlogJames Blair
NRDC has a long history in Laguna San Ignacio, one of the last unspoiled nurseries for Pacific gray whales in Baja California Sur, Mexico. NRDC’s President, Rhea Suh, recently described her “deeply moving, thrilling” encounter with the whales of the…
NRDC et al. v. Wilbur Ross et al. (Vaquita)
Court CaseUnited States, MexicoClosed
NRDC and partners are fighting to save the last of the vaquitas.