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Protecting the world's northernmost jaguars…
What Lies Ahead
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Long-Term Objectives
- Inventory all of the species of plants and animals,
- Promote jaguar prey species abundance through the recovery of their food sources,
- Return the landscape, as much as possible, to its original condition, particularly in terms of vegetation cover (e.g., remove invasive species, plant native species),
- Remedy soil loss and erosion where it has occurred or is currently happening,
- Recover and restore vulnerable habitat for migrating birds,
- Partner with other conservation ranchers and groups to create a regional jaguar monitoring program,
- Establish a waterflow and water quality monitoring program for the Río Aros,
- Expand the reserve's restoration practices beyond its boundaries through training, education, and capacity building amongst neighbors,
- Expand the reserve's conservation influence in the region by involving the local community in a range of activities, such as environmental education and jaguar monitoring, and
- Custom design an ecotourism component that will educate tourists and earn additional income for the reserve.
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Status of Funding
Both NJP and Naturalia are pursuing funding. When beneficial to donors, NJP provides a conduit as it has 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service in the US. Funding for the land purchase and stewardship endowment is being pursued together.
STEWARDSHIP ENDOWMENT: $750,000 to $1 Million
The stewardship endowment is required for sustainable yearly operations of the Northern Jaguar Reserve. It will provide for upkeep costs and Jaguar Guardian salaries, as well as providing partial support for costs at the Hermosillo office of Naturalia that is in charge of reserve management. The endowment would provide approximately $45,000 per year based on a 5 to 6.5 percent interest income on $750,000 to $1 million that is to be invested with a proven investment firm specializing in socially responsible investments. A larger endowment or a higher interest rate would allow several other basic needs to be covered, such as road and vehicle upkeep or management overhead.
IMMEDIATE CAPITAL NEEDS: $88,000
Along with the stewardship endowment, there are immediate priorities requiring capital costs that will not be supported by the endowment. Separate fundraising is already underway for some of these items, and NJP hopes to find in-kind donations for vehicles, which rapidly deteriorate on the roads.
MANAGEMENT NEEDS: $14,000
Two management projects are crucial during the course of the upcoming year: a site management plan and the organization and archiving of data. The site management plan will be partially funded by the Mexican government and will meet Mexican federal requirements. At the moment, NJP must purchase software and computer expertise to set up a database for scientific data collection.
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS: $30,000
An additional $30,000 would be required to improve the Rancho Zetasora infrastructure to create a scientific field station in 2008.
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Management of the Reserve
The Northern Jaguar Reserve will become part of one of the largest unbroken expanses of ranchland in México. These lands have been heavily overgrazed for centuries and recently have been invaded by exotic grasses and tamarisk. Fortunately, illegal drug growers, who operate on some area ranches, are not present nearby. As Sonora becomes more closely integrated with Arizona and the human population increases, fewer areas will remain without wood-cutting, agave harvesting, palm harvests, and other vegetation removals that diminish habitat quality. Controlled water releases for agriculture have impacted riparian woodlands along the Río Yaqui, but the Río Aros has not been affected. Additional threats come from a proposed dam and mines on the upper Río Aros and will require continual vigilance. Global warming is having an as yet un-studied impact on phenology and survival of various plant species that support jaguar prey and bird migration. The reserve will eliminate vegetation removal by prohibiting plant harvests and by removing cattle, and it will work toward the rehabilitation of degraded lands and the restoration of larger populations of sensitive species. To achieve its objectives, the reserve will establish a research station to facilitate archiving data, promote education, house visiting scientists and local residents maintaining guardianship, and restore degraded landscapes.
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