Problem

Ecotourism operators have a responsibility to protect the very treasures from which they profit. However, lack of financing and infrastructure in some remote areas can make it difficult for business owners to follow environmentally friendly practices. For example, ecotourism operators bringing tourists to view wildlife in boats sometimes use loud, polluting 2-stroke outboard motors on their skiffs, which can disturb and even kill endangered wildlife.

The Gift

San Ignacio Lagoon in Mexico, one of the last pristine gray whale birthing lagoons, is home to small fishing communities who depend on the sea for their livelihood, particularly in the absence of many public services.

The local fishermen attend to over 3,000 whale-watching customers yearly while helping protect the Baja lagoon ecosystem, which includes grey whales, sea lions, elephant seals, peregrine falcons, royal eagles, and many fish and shellfish species. Their seasonal ecotourism activities combine whale-watching with conservation goals and economic rewards.

They have made environmental improvements such as replacing 2-stroke outboard motors on their 22-foote skiffs with clean, highly efficient 4-stroke engines. This has significantly reduced the biggest source of pollution while raising local incomes.

Your support of the these ecotourism operators, through financing from Root Capital (a social investment fund), would help them continue preserving this lagoon.