In 2003, a small group of dedicated conservationists from the southwestern United States and México came together to establish the Northern Jaguar Reserve, the first and only jaguar reserve in northern México. Located in a region of rich and abundant biodiversity, the present reserve is still too small for effective jaguar protection. The reserve must be expanded now.

Northern Jaguar Project and Naturalia cooperate in the management, operation, and expansion of the Las Pavos sanctuary, and all funding received by Northern Jaguar Project goes to support the protection of habitat and wildlife in the Northern Jaguar Reserve and the surrounding area.

The Project operates a small field station and research program on the Reserve – one of only a handful of such field stations in Sonora. Researchers are currently conducting studies related to large carnivores, using trip cameras and hair snares to gather data on population densities, movement, dispersal, diet, and habitat needs. Visiting researchers are conducting inventories of plant species present in the Reserve, and are working on the first list of bird, reptile, mammal, and insect species ever done in northern jaguar habitat.

Northern Jaguar Project also works to promote conservation ranching and stewardship and to increase regional awareness of the value of wildlife, particularly of charismatic endangered species like the jaguar. The Project's "Jaguar Guardian" program maintains a permanent presence on the Reserve to ensure protection for all of the rare and wonderful species found within it, and also work throughout the community to eliminate conflict between ranchers and wildlife, particularly mountain lions and jaguars.