The Prescott College Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies 2017 - 2018 Annual Report

2017 - 2018 Annual Report

Letter from the Director Dear Kino Bay Center Community,

Table of Contents Background, Mission, and Vision..................2

The Center connects a wide diversity of individuals collaborating to make big and small contributions toward collective change. Our work is the result of 27 years of contributions of over 20,000 students, educators, researchers, staff, community members, consultants, advocates, science communicators, donors, administrators, advisors and friends. ALL of you are part of the work we do today and we appreciate you!

Biocultural Context.........................................3

Over the past four years the Kino Bay Center has developed institutionally to operate with more professional, sustainable and systematic processes, while maintaining the essence and heart of who we are and what we do. We have received substantial support from our Executive Council and funders to build our capacity and to ally with other NGOs in the region to work intentionally and collaboratively toward building an inclusive,

Waterbird Monitoring...............................10

inter-institutional, and community-based culture of conservation in the Gulf of California.

Visitation And Use Summary.........................4 Experiential Field-Based Education..............5 Research & Conservation...............................7 Marine Mammal Monitoring .....................8

Wetland Conservation & Community Projects......................................13 Environmental Education.............................15 Indigenous Community Partnerships..................................................17 Communications & Information Exchange........................................................19

As you read this report summarizing our 2017-18 activities and outcomes, I hope you are proud of the part you played in making it possible and that you will get in touch with us about any questions or ideas. This Annual Report pulls from a series of much longer technical reports that are available online and upon request.

Institutional Development...........................22

Warm regards,

Our Partners..................................................25

Lorayne Meltzer

Our Supporters..............................................26

Executive Director and Prescott College Faculty Prescott College Kino Bay Center - Page 1

Kino Bay Center Community Spotlights.......................................................23 Dedication to Eduardo “Guacho�

Becerra...........................................................24

Background, Mission, and Vision The Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies (the Center) is a bi-national field station dedicated to community-based education and environmental conservation. Each year, the Center hosts approximately 1,400 researchers, students, resident fellows, community members, visitors from dozens of institutions, and community groups from Mexico, the United States, and other parts of the world. The Center integrates and applies its programs in research, education, community participation, information exchange and sustainable management initiatives toward the protection of critical habitats and biodiversity in the Eastern Midriff Island Region of the Gulf of California. Our integrated programs are all grounded in a constant presence in the region, positioning the Kino Bay Center to promote change towards biocultural conservation goals.

Prescott College is a private liberal arts institution of higher learning in Arizona offering B.A., B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Prescott College began offering classes in the region in the 1970’s. The Center opened in 1991, and in 1992 the Mexican non-profit organization (Prescott College A.C.) was established. Prescott College A.C. and Prescott College U.S. work together to operate the Center as a bi-national organization with the active consultation of the Kino Bay Center Executive Council.

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Mission

Vision

To protect priority species and habitats through the integrated application of science, education, information exchange, and community participation

To promote and model collaborations between people from different cultures and institutions to co-create solutions to complex conservation challenges

Values

Education Facilitating deep experiential and personalized learning and creating platforms for professional and personal development to prepare individuals for civic engagement Inclusion Modeling equitable processes that honor and respect multi-cultural and interdisciplinary perspectives, diversity of thought, learning styles and personal background Vision Being proactive and results oriented in cultivating positive, passionate, and forward-moving momentum toward long-term and innovative strategies Interdependence Cultivating healthy human-environment relationships between ecological and human communities Collaboration Promoting collaborative and participative processes and decision making

4

Biocultural Context The biocultural landscape of the Eastern Midriff Island Region of the Gulf of California is unique in the world. The diversity and productivity of the offshore marine environment is linked to estuarine nurseries and offshore upwelling.

The region supports a unique and diverse assemblage of fish, invertebrates, sea birds, sea turtles, and marine mammals. The islands are well-protected and provide habitat for regionally and globally important waterbird nesting colonies, California Sea Lion reproduction, and Sonoran Desert flora and fauna, including many endemic species. The Comcaac and Mexican communities of the region are connected to its ecology in every way: socially, culturally, and economically.

Indigenous communities, fishers, students, faculty, researchers and resource managers co-existing in the region have different and overlapping relationships with these environments as well as complimentary skills and perspectives for promoting and supporting healthy ecosystems and human communities.

Ineffective regulation and enforcement

Threats

Few sustainable economic alternatives

Overexploitation of Corruption and regional power structures Global market influence

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fisheries resources Habitat alteration Contamination Climate change

Insufficient scientific information Historical disempowerment and ineffective community organization

Visitation & Use Summary User Category

Number of Visitors

User Days

Researchers

46

150

Prescott College

65

2073

Fellows and volunteers

15

2392

IS/Senior projects/ Thesis

6

219

Visitng educational groups

104

430

Workshops

530

819

Museum, Gov, NGOs

42

42

Community Members

443

503

Other Visitors

65

193

1316

6602

Total

Table 1: Number of visitors and user days from different categories of users from 2017-2018. A user day represents one visitor for one day.

Figure 1: User totals from 2010 - 2018.

Bars represent user days and line represents number of visitors.

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The 2017-18 season was one of the busiest we have experienced at the Center with 1316 visitors (Table 1). Since the dramatic growth period in 2013-14, the Center has averaged 1,400 visitors per year. The Center provides programmatic, logistical, and physical support for Prescott College students, graduate and undergraduate students from other universities, researchers, NGOs, educational groups, fellows, volunteers, and community members. During the 2017-2018 academic year, the Center hosted 71 Prescott College students and faculty in 9 semester-long courses and 3 independent study students (Table 1). This season the Center facilitated 8 visiting educational groups which represents an increase resulting from a strategic goal to develop revenue-generating study-abroad and placebased natural history programs for high school, university and public groups valuing experiential field-based learning.

The Center provided a range of research and logistical support for 46 researchers from 11 institutions conducting research, conservation and community work related to the Center’s mission and vision (Table 1). This year the Center hosted and supported more community members than in past years, through workshops, field experiences, collaborative projects and Center visits and advising. Over the course of the entire season, 15 fellows, resident researchers, interns and volunteers developed professionally while contributing to on-going conservation activities and educational experiences at the Center (Table 1). The Center continues to grow as a place that supports and brings together diverse groups of people from varied backgrounds to contribute to science, conservation, education and community empowerment in the region.

Experiential Field-Based Education

Hands-on learning to build the capacity of students and young professionals

The Center is a model of Prescott College’s philosophy and methodology of experiential education. Classes and other learning opportunities are facilitated through both Prescott College courses and in partnership with other visiting institutions. Students, faculty, researchers, and community members to share and collaborate in creating excellent field-based and classroom educational experiences. In 2017-2018, the Center supported approximately 175 students from Prescott College and other universities and high schools in a variety of classes, independent studies, senior projects and graduate studies (Table 1). This year the Center welcomed new students and external groups from partnering organizations as part of its ongoing initiative to build study abroad partnerships.

Course Natural History of the Gulf of California Spanish Intensive & Cultural Immersion Society & Environment

Semester

Number of Students & Faculty

Fall 2017 Marine Studies

12

Advanced GIS

14

Sea Kayaking & Natural History Spanish Intensive & Cultural Immersion

Visiting Educational Groups Olivet College TreeHouse Learning Community Cochise Community College One Revolution - Credo High School Duke University Natural History Institute University of Arizona

Winter 2018 Block

IS: Community Art in Kino Bay

15 1

Diversity of Marine Life Oceanography Field Methods for Marine Ecology

Spring 2018 Marine Biology

9

Summer 2018 Block

1

Senior Project: Sea Turtle Monitoring IS: Waterbird Monitoring Program Internship

Table 2: Prescott College Courses and Independent Studies Prescott College Kino Bay Center - Page 5

12

Highlight: New Inter-Institutional Partnerships This season we focused on increasing academic partnerships and opportunities for students from various backgrounds and institutions to be integrated into the Center’s courses, programs, and learning experiences. This resulted in 2 thesis students participating in collaborations at the Center. Joel Alejandro Arredondo Sainz, a Masters student from the Ensenada Center of Scientific Investigation & Higher Education (CICESE), assisted in marine mammal surveys and updated the Fin Whale photo-id catalogue to calculate the abundance estimates for the last 8 years of surveys for his thesis research during his 4 month stay at the Center. Undergraduate student Daniela Ahuatzin Gallardo from the University of the Americas - Puebla (UDLAP) updated the Sperm Whale photo-id catalogue for the last 6 seasons of data. Joel and Daniela also engaged with the Center’s living-learning community, participating in Marine Studies Class outings and communal activities.

New study abroad partnerships allowed the Center to further develop its role as a regional, national, and international hub of experiential education and field-based learning. Five students from Olivet College were integrated into the Fall semester Prescott College Marine Studies courses. We hosted a new spring break field research for undergraduates program from Cochise Community College in which students participated in ongoing conservation projects. The University of Arizona’s summer course “Conservation Realities in Northern Mexico” included the Center and Bahía de Kino area as a week-long stop during its tour of the region.

Including more students, researchers, and community members in conversations about conservation at the Center adds more voices and different perspectives which broadens and deepens the dialogue.

Because of this, a much fuller picture of the meaning and tools of conservation is created and shared. We are grateful for these collaborations and opportunities to work together to empower individuals and further protect priority species and habitats.

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“This stay helped me understand others and myself. I’m motivated to work in more field projects around the globe, to travel, and to help analyze ecological data. The work that people have done at the Center is inspiring and I’m happy to join them in their efforts to make a positive impact on conservation in the region.

Besides comparing photographs and going out on boat surveys, I was able to interact with people from different cultures and economic backgrounds in a remote place. There’s something special about that - it shortens gaps, increases empathy, and unites people.”

--- Joel Alejandro Arredondo Sainz

2

New thesis projects

4

Student internships

8

Visiting educational groups

46

Visiting researchers

Research & Conservation Program The Kino Bay Center Research and Conservation Program (RCP) conducts on-going research projects and supports projects conducted through collaborative agreements with other Mexican and American research, government, NGO, community, and academic institutions. Its ongoing program administered through the Center and Prescott College classes consists of marine mammal monitoring, waterbird monitoring, eel-grass research, shrimp trawler by-catch studies, and marine invertebrate studies. In addition to these, the Center has supported dozens of projects that cover a wide assortment of disciplines such as geology, community-based fisheries management, linguistics, and desert ecology. The Center supports visiting researchers and projects in a variety of ways including boat time, lab and desk space, communications, logistical support, local knowledge, data collection and sharing, meeting facilities, research design and implementation, lodging, and workshop facilitation. A research metadata base and publications bibliography, as well as a rich database of photographs, are maintained by the Center to make research and knowledge accessible and shareable. Workshops and small conferences are hosted and facilitated by the Center regularly with the goal of realizing our vision and supporting collaborations and information exchange between researchers, community members, government agents, educators, students, and conservation practitioners. These forums help to clarify priorities and identify and plan feasible conservation strategies.

Table 3: 2017-2018 Visiting Research Projects Prescott College Kino Bay Center - Page 7

Research & Conservation

IMPACT

Figure 2: Comparison of species diversity recorded in 2017-2018

Monitoring, outreach and Gulf-wide research and conservation efforts increases understanding of the importance of the Eastern Midriff Island Region for cetaceans and contributes data to collaborative cetacean conservation initiatives.

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Marine Mammal Program The Center’s Marine Mammal Program (MMP) conducts continuous monitoring which provides a better understanding of the biology, ecology, diversity, seasonality, movements and behaviors of species in the region to then be used in effective conservation efforts. The goals of the MMP are to conduct long term cetacean monitoring, population trend analysis, to collaborate with regional and international science and conservation efforts, to build capacity for local participation, and to mentor university students and interns. During this season, the MMP continued monitoring cetacean species in the region and describing important trends. The leading focus of the MMP this season was investing time and effort to strengthen inter-institutional collaborations which resulted in getting students involved in different projects through which they will obtain their academic degrees and eventually produce scientific publications to contribute in the conservation of the cetaceans of the region.

Figure 3: Relative abundance (whales/effort hours) of Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) over nine seasons, the average per season is shown (orange square)

Research & Conservation

Marine Mammal Program

Activities

Outcomes

• Completed 29 weekly outings for a total of 174.42 hours of observation • Updated 2 master electronic databases of the programs research which now hold over 2,800 entries

Ongoing Monitoring

• 66 sightings of 6 species of cetaceans recorded • More than 3,400 individuals from 6 species registered from 5,500 photos taken • 973 individual Bottlenose Dolphins contributed to the species photo identification catalog • Updated maps representing of cetaceans ecology

Inter-institutional Collaborations

• Increased knowledge on the resident Bottlenose Dolphin population ecology • Results from analyzing species and trends shared with the broader academic and scientific community • Co-direction of master’s thesis work for students for the first time at the Center

• Presented at 1 regional and 1 international conference • Increased collaboration with Mexican and American universities

• Hosted workshops, facilitated outings, and gave informational presentations to different community groups including 10 Comcaac youth and Islandia Marina users • Mentored and hosted an undergraduate student, masters student, and graduate volunteer who completed research projects and thesis work • Participated in outings with Prescott College courses and other visiting external groups during 12 educational monitoring sessions Prescott College Kino Bay Center - Page 9

Capacity Building

• Increased reporting of stranding instances of marine mammals • Increased knowledge, enthusiasm, capacity, and involvement of local community members to participate in our different ongoing projects

Mentoring

• 2 thesis projects using MMP data • Increased capacity in cetacean research and data analysis through hands-on experiences in monitoring, data collection, and database usage • 364 Fin Whales and 169 Sperm Whales updated in photo-identification catalog through major student contributions

Research & Conservation

Double-crested Cormorant Peak Active Nest Counts from 2000-2018 on Isla Alcatraz 2500

2000

Number of Nests

1500 Jan Dec

1000

Nov Oct

500

0

Brown Pelican Peak Active Nest Count on Isla Alcatraz 2001-2018

Figure 4: Peak Active Nest Counts in Double-crested Cormorant Colony on Isla Alcatraz 2000-2018. * marks the years during which no data was collected.

Number of Nests

Hundreds of thousands of waterbirds pass through the region seasonally, using the region’s abundant food resources to store energy before long migrations or in some cases to spend the winter or breed.

Since 1997, The Center has conducted long-term waterbird monitoring allowing us to detect and analyze trends and to contribute to legal protection of habitat for priority species. The Center monitors nesting and migratory waterbirds in 4 estuaries, on Isla Alcatraz, and offshore in the Gulf of California. Monitoring work is done in collaboration with regional researchers and local community members. The goals of the Waterbird Monitoring Program are to conduct ongoing waterbird monitoring, collaborate with regional and international science and conservation efforts, build capacity for local participation, and mentor university students and interns. Alongside continuous monitoring efforts, community and interinstitutional collaborations were a major priority for the WMP this year. Collecting census and nesting data helps us to understand population trends and determine how to best protect these species and manage their critical habitats. In collaboration with science and resource management partners, the WMP contributes waterbird data to regional studies, legal protection for priority sites, and to the Laguna La Cruz Management Plan. Through participating and facilitating educational activities, the WMP equips community members to be included in the monitoring and conservation of local waterbird populations and provides valuable training for university students interested in careers or graduate study in related fields.

Waterbird Monitoring Program

1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Seasons Surveyed

Figure 5: Brown Pelican Peak Active Nest Count on Isla Alcatraz 2001-2018

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e nidos

2001-2018

1600 1400 1200 1000

IMPACT

Monitoring, outreach and management efforts increase habitat protection and El pico del conteo de nidos activos community-based conservation efforts for de pelĂ­cano cafĂŠ Isla Alcatraz nesting anden migratory birds

Research & Conservation

Waterbird Monitoring Program

Activities • Conducted 91 surveys over a total of 482 field hours

Outcomes Ongoing Monitoring

• Knowledge gaps addressed and trends detected in regional waterbird nesting • Updated monitoring protocols to standardize data collection and increase collaboration with regional partners

• Presented at the 47th Annual Pacific Seabird Conference • Collaborated with Grupo Cooijac, the Comcaac youth birding group, in 30 hours of surveying • Executed Northwest Mexico Coordinated Monitoring survey efforts in conjunction with Regional other regional partners Collaboration • Assisted the Grupo de Ecologia y Conservacion de Islas (GECI) in Craveri’s Murrelet monitoring • Applied for a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site declaration

• Observations and knowledge shared with local, regional, national, and international academic partners • Updated observation data of waterbirds in the Santa Rosa area in Latin, Cmiique Iitom, Spanish, and English • Contributions to regional legal protection and conservation efforts

• Created an educational brochure for distribution during Semana Santa • Participated in Environmental Education Program’s activities and events • Led waterbird identification and research methods workshop at regional conference • Facilitated 2 workshops and 3 outings with Pajareros de Laguna la Cruz

Capacity Building

• Increased interest, awareness, knowledge, and research skills relative to waterbirds among students, community managers, and resource users • Further empowerment and integration of community participants in conservation efforts

Mentoring

• Professional development in the students field research methods • Direct student experience in community-based conservation in action

• Mentored 4 interns from Prescott College, the Comcaac community, and Olivet College • Provided instruction during outings with university classes and visiting educational groups Prescott College Kino Bay Center - Page 11

Highlight: Community Bird Monitoring Community Member Spotlight: Why do you like your work in conservation?

“I like it because it’s an interesting job. You learn the benefits of these sites by knowing the types of mangroves that exist in this area (Laguna La Cruz) and the reason why it is so important to keep clean.

I am proud to keep the wetland areas clean and to be able to talk with people about these programs and pass information to people so that they help to conserve our clean estuary.”

--- Norma Fourcades

Members of the Bahía de Kino community are becoming increasingly involved in conservation efforts and receiving local and regional support for environmental projects. Every year the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas of Mexico (CONANP) selects and funds community conservation projects through the Conservation Program for Sustainable Development (PROCODES). This year a group of community members who had worked in Laguna la Cruz since 2016 on PROCODES projects to clean mangrove zones and remove sunken boats proposed a new project to monitor birds in the area. The project was chosen for funding and the community monitoring group called Pajareros de Laguna la Cruz was formed. In this new community initiative, the Center collaborated with the group in monitoring and supported its members through workshops and trainings. These sessions also involved summer interns from Prescott College, Olivet College, and the Comcaac community to provide a learning experience in community-based conservation and partnership.

The WMP also facilitated 3 training surveys in waterbird ID and implementation of the protocols. The members of Pajareros de Laguna la Cruz were enthusiastic and learned techniques and protocols quickly. The WMP is looking forward to collaborating with the Pajareros de Laguna la Cruz in the fall by coordinating the group’s monitoring outings with its own whenever possible and sharing data between the 2 groups to contribute results to coordinated waterbird monitoring partners, specifically the Northwest Mexico Migratory Waterbird Monitoring Survey. The Kino Bay Center is proud to partner with the dedicated Pajareros de Laguna la Cruz and hopes to see the collaboration grow in the years to come.

Capacity building workshop topics • Basic waterbird ecology and morphology • Ecology of Laguna la Cruz as a Ramsar site • How to use bird identification guides • Data entry in Microsoft Excel and eBird • Northwest Mexico Migratory Waterbird Monitoring Survey Protocols

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Wetlands Conservation

Wetlands Conservation & Community Projects Program

IMPACT

The Wetlands Conservation and Community Projects Program celebrated 5 years of initiating community work and inter-agency partnerships in order to ensure the protection and management of coastal wetlands of the region. The goals of the program are to develop and implement participatory planning tools and sustainable management, promote citizen participation in conservation of wetlands, build capacity for alternative economic gain to reduce environmental threat, build capacity for civic engagement, and raise awareness and general community involvement in estuary ecology and conservation. This year, the program focused specifically on facilitating community involvement and creating the Management Program for Laguna La Cruz. The facilitation of the Specialized Working Group for the Protection and Conservation of the Wetlands of the Laguna La Cruz (GETH) was reinitiated, which integrates government institutions, civil associations, private sectors, and community groups in the discussion of the future of the estuary.

Consistent support and facilitation of capacity building, stakeholder collaboration, management and outreach results in unique and successful advancements in community-based and collaborative conservation of Laguna la Cruz.

Environmental education

Planning and management

Wetland Conservation

Applied science

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Alternative economies

Civic participation

Activities • Participated in Environmental Education Program events • Hosted and participated in various community sessions and workshops to share ecological knowledge of the estuaries • Revised the program’s webpage in collaboration with the Information Center Results • Increased community awareness of environmental factors affecting Laguna La Cruz • Local and regional youth knowledge and investment in health and protection of coastal wetlands

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Economic Alternatives

Activities • Made significant progress on the Program for the Conservation and Management of Laguna La Cruz • Collaborated with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) about inventories and protection of archeological sites • Applied for a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site declaration with the WMP • Completed an inventory and evaluation of biological, geological, and cultural interest sites of Laguna La Cruz Results • Advancements to the planning of community-based, sustainable management for Laguna La Cruz • Increased interdisciplinary understanding through community meetings and site studies to better inform decision-making

Wetlands Conservation & Community Projects Program Activities • Facilitated 2 workshops and 3 field outings with Parajeros de Laguna La Cruz with the WMP • Began developing projects for the sustainable use and economic opportunities of Laguna La Cruz through ecotourism • Attended workshops on wetlands conservation and initiated local projects in collaboration with the Regional Alliance for Sustainable Tourism Results • Increased community participation and financial support for conservation projects • Strengthened regional partnerships towards sustainable, community-based management

Citizen Participation

Community Awareness

Management Planning

Wetlands Conservation

Activities • Hosted a community clean-up in Laguna La Cruz to celebrate World Wetlands Day in collaboration with the Environmental Education Program with 150 participants • Facilitated 4 meetings of the GETH • Assisted Grupo Tortuguero of Kino Bay in applying for community project funding through CONANP Results • Approximately 637kg of trash and debris removed from the estuary • Ongoing collaboration and discussion between key stakeholders about the future of Laguna La Cruz • Support of community groups and individuals in local environmental protection projects

Environmental Education

Environmental Education & Community Leadership Program The Center began facilitating environmental education in 1998 and has since reached a large portion of the Bahía de Kino community and extended further into the Northwest Mexico region through the ecology club network. The objective of this program is that community members are instilled with a profound sense of place, knowledge and skills and supported, inspired, and trained to be agents of change in the region. This is done through facilitating weekly ecology classes, facilitating a network of youth ecology clubs, design and facilitating community dialog forums, supporting individual ecology clubs, hosting social service students, and facilitating field trips. This year the activities of EEP involved 224 students, 10 teachers, 5 collaborators, and 32 partner organizations. The program focused on implementing new curricula, internal capacity building, and fostering creative ways to facilitate and support ecology clubs of the region.

This season the Center hosted the 7th Eco-club Exchange, where participants decided to change the name of the “Eco-club Network” to “Youth Network for Conservation” in order to integrate more groups of young people and communities, organizations, and institutions to work together to make the world a better place.

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IMPACT

Community members report a greater ecological consciousness and practice of civic engagement as a result of involvement with the Center’s programs.

Environmental Education

Weekly Classes

• Conducted 83 hours of classroom instructions including 3 classes with expert special guests • Implemented new curricula with an increased emphasis on incorporating a student-centered experiential education model and the other programs of the Center

• Increased knowledge of regional ecology, biodiversity, and the environment in local youth • Further student understanding of the surrounding coastal and marine ecosystems and assistance in identifying solutions to environmental problems

Club Facilitation

• Facilitated a regional network of 7 different clubs in the Gulf of California with 172 participants year-round • Supported 5 Sonoran eco-clubs in developing their own community projects • Hosted the 7th Northwest Eco-clubs Meeting with 24 student participants and 5 coordinators • Completed 2 field outings and 2 theoretical classes with club students

• Strengthened relationships and conservation efforts between ecology clubs of the region • Spaces for students to share experiences and ideas for the future of their communities and lands

Community Events

Outcomes

• Hosted a community clean-up in Laguna La Cruz to celebrate World Wetlands Day in collaboration with the Wetlands Conservation and Community Projects Program • Hosted Rally La Cruz, a 6th grade field trip event, where 25 students and 11 community members participated • Participated in 2 coastal clean-up events

• Civic engagement in community-based conservation efforts • Intergenerational approaches to environmental education

Mentoring

Activities

Environmental Education & Community Leadership Program

• Supported 1 social service student throughout the year in general assistance for Environmental Education

• Students with an increased capacity in professional skills and facilitating conservation efforts

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Indigenous Partnerships

IMPACT

The Indigenous Community Partnership Program (ICPP) contributes to the protection of biocultural diversity by connecting research, education and conservation efforts in the region with Comcaac (Seri) traditions, knowledge, self-determination and conservation practices in their territory. The Comcaac knowledge of the cultural and ecological landscape is important within modern resource management constructs. The objective of the ICPP is to develop conservation, science, education, and research initiatives based on the integration of Western and indigenous perspectives and knowledge. This is done through facilitating equitable collaborations, trainings, meetings, and classes within the Comcaac and between the Comcaac, Prescott College, and other entities, promoting sustainable economies and resource management strategies consistent with conservation goals and Comcaac beliefs, and building capacity for leadership and Comcaac decision making. This year a focus was placed on implementing the Biocultural Field School, creating shared learning experiences, and executing research and programming protocols to ensure equitable partnerships.

Active facilitation of and support for Comcaac participation in conservation plays a role in developing leaders with a demonstrated capacity to be agents of change in their territory during a transitionary time in the Comcaac history. Multicultural dialogue also fosters respect for indigenous perspectives in dialogs among Mexican community members, resource managers, and Prescott College students and faculty.

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Indigenous Community Partnership Program

Indigenous Partnerships

Equitable Collaborations

• Facilitated dialogues around equity, inclusion, and indigenous rights • Renewed agreements and quarterly meetings between the Center and Comcaac authorities • Assisted in developing agreements for new collaborations among Comcaac community members and visiting programs

• Further integration of indigenous knowledge into programs, courses, and research • Increasing inclusion and access of Comcaac conservation leaders and students to mentorships, Prescott College classes, and Center resources • Best practices for equitable, ethical collaborations between institutions and indigenous communities modeled and disseminated

Intercultural Education

Outcomes

• Hosted 5 intercultural learning experiences with Prescott College courses • Hosted visitors from Prescott College’s Dopoi Center – Kenya Program & Massai Education, Research, and Conservation Institute • Integrated Comcaac community members and knowledge in programs with 3 visiting educational groups

• Increased student understanding of environmental values, traditional knowledge, and global influences • Continued research collaboration to measure impact of climate change in the Infiernillo Canal • Identification of synergies between Prescott College study abroad programs

Capacity Building

Activities

Indigenous Community Partnership Program

• Implemented the Biocultural Field School, a 10-month program integrating indigenous knowledge and culture with Western knowledge through field studies in leadership, natural resource conservation, language and culture, and community wellbeing • Facilitated 5 Comcaac women’s participation in a 10-month seminar in leadership and economic development through the Cobanaras organization • Collaborated with Comcaac community members and Borderlands Restoration Network on a mesquite flour project to generate community revenue

• Cohorts of Comcaac leaders with a stronger sense of place, knowledge, and skills to protect their territory • 40+ Comcaac individuals supported though scholarships, stipends, mentorships, and courses • New partnership between local high school and Biocultural Field School to award credit and scholarships • Women empowered to manage revolving funds, sustainable enterprises, and small enterprises for mesquite flour, herbal medicine, crafts, and solar energy • Documentation of cultural and ecological importance of over 100 plants used by Guarijio and Comcaac herbalists to prioritize medicinal plant species protection

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Communications & Information Exchange Visual media, communications, and information exchange are vital components of effective conservation. The Information Center (IC) contributes to the protection of priority species and habitats by connecting people with information and with each other. The IC brings together people and information to promote collaboration and facilitate conservation action. This responsibility is especially poignant for the Center, given its rich history and vast knowledge of local ecosystems, wildlife, community, and conservation. As the Center continues to amass data and case studies about local ecosystems and wildlife and support environmental education and community projects, the IC plays a key role in making sure information is shared internally to strengthen our ability to model cross-cultural collaboration and externally so that others can learn from our experiences. All of these forms of communication work together to protect priority habitats and species through the empowerment of individuals and communities through access to information. The IC encompasses a wide array of components that include: managing library and other bibliographical resources, maintaining a large photo database, creating and caring for station displays, support in making diffusion materials ranging from publications to a dynamic social media stream to an updated website, and creating a space that brings people together for discussions and impactful conversation.

This season the IC continued to move towards strategic plan goals by refining systems for information collection and management while expanding the scope of external and internal communications. These efforts resulted in a number of highlights that included 143 new e-mailing list members, improved information management using Google Drive, a new physical display poster on the Desert Tortoise, and stronger internal communication among staff.

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IMPACT

Professionalization and systematization of our media and communication improves our outreach and education results, fundraising results, external image, communication with alumni and donors and ability to achieve the conservation and education mission, vision and objectives of the Center.

Communications & Information Exchange Significant updates to sections of our website dedicated to the Wetlands Conservation

Website

Staff orientation activities geared towards increasing abilities in effective communication

New webpage widget that allows users to subscribe directly to our e-mailing list

Internal

2 staff workshops to strengthen dialogue skills

Communications

Bilingual video highlighting the Center’s impact and 2 infographics for the 2017 End of Year Campaign

Video

7 new video interviews of Kino Bay Center Staff, Faculty, Fellows, and Students

258 new Facebook Page likes and 69 new Instagram followers

Social Media

Discussion with each semester-long course about communication and social media

Teaching & Mentoring

Updated social media strategies for content collection and output

Workshops and individual training sessions throughout the season on the usage of Google platforms to store information

Information 7 e-mail newsletters that shared updates and progress of the Center’s work

Publications

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Senior project assistance through poster design feedback and printing facilitation

143 new e-mail contacts to the mailing list through revised collection processes Photo database revision process to add new

Management photos, organize past photos, and identify areas where new photos are needed

Highlight: Internal Capacity Building This season the Center emphasized capacity building of its staff and fellows through activities and trainings offered by the Center and through external initiatives and opportunities. Programa Pescadero is a program organized by Fondo Noreste (FONNOR) and funded by a consortium of foundations offering workshops to strengthen leadership and institutional development and to build capacity within and between conservation-oriented NGOs working in the Gulf of California. In the past 4 years, Kino Bay Center Staff have attended 11 different workshops offered by Programa Pescadero and this year was no exception.

Staff members and fellows who have participated in these trainings return to the Center and share their new knowledge and abilities with coworkers. These workshops also offer opportunities for the Center create networks with other organizations doing conservation work in the region and strengthen collaborations towards common goals. This season 8 staff members participated in these workshops.

We also furthered our commitment to our vision by dedicating resources and time to evaluating and improving how we communicate and collaborate.

These efforts included trainings, workshops, and dialogues throughout the season. By investing in our staff members, the Center creates a stronger team working in an integrated manner to achieve results.

The Center seeks to create spaces for staff and fellows to learn and grow professionally and personally during their time at the Center. In turn, these staff members and fellows promote the Center’s growth as an institution.

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2017 - 2018 Staff & Fellows Workshop Topics • Organizational Leadership • Project Evaluation in Environmental Education • Legal reforms and financial administration • Institutional Development • Sustainable tourism and wetlands management

Program Staff & Fellows Kayla Sargent Rebecca Natoli Héctor Pérez Puig Erica Gaeta Olivia Osuna Grijalva Martha Verónica Maldonado Bracamontes Jorge Alberto Miros Gomez Laura Monti Mckenna Hanson

Administration & Operations Lorayne Meltzer Martin Ziebell Julio Paredes Carrasco Cosme Damián Becerra Virginia Yañez Parra Megan Hennings

Legal Compliance

Administration

Institutional Development Fundraising

Personnel: Updated contract, evaluation, and orientation processes Facilities: Constructed a new 1,400 ft housing unit, remodeled bathhouse, and conducted significant regular maintenance 2

Operations: Revised the Operations Manual and implemented an updated logistics and operational systems Fiscal Management: Completed administrative manual and improved implementation of new budget and fiscal tracking systems Property: Reviewed, systematized, and complied with property trust payments Prescott College A.C.: Revised legal documentation of Prescott College A.C. to ensure that legal representation is clear and the social objective is congruent with the language required to register as a national research institution to obtain tax deductible status in Mexico Partnerships: Strengthened M.O.U.s with Mexican government and academic partners

With continued support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Programa Pescadero, FONNOR, and the Kino Bay Center Executive Council, the Center has continued progress towards its strategic institutional development goals in administration, fundraising, and legal compliance.

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Grants: Sustained our grant funding while continuing to build relationships with current funders and fostered new connections to increase foundation support Individual Giving: Raised $48,330 in individual donations through another successful End of Year annual grassroots campaign and major gift support from individuals of our Executive Council and the Prescott College Board of Trustees to more than double the yearly goal of $20,000 Revnue: Generated $59, 248.60 in revenue from non-Prescott College programs and activities surpassing the yearly goal of $35,000

Funding Source Grants Received Endowment End of Year Campaign

Amount $138,410.85 $11,000.00 $32,679.00

Other Restricted Individual Donations

$91.00

Annual Fund Donations $15,365.00 Non-Prescott Revenue $59,248.60 Prescott College Tuition $52,927.20 Total $309,721.65 Table 4 - 2017 - 2018 Total Income

Grants Received Endowment Crowdfunding Campaign Other Restricted Individual Donations Annual Fund Donations

Figure 6 - 2017 - 2018 Total Income

Spotlights: Our Kino Bay Center Community “My interest began when I received the classes from the Environmental Education Program of the Prescott College Kino Bay Center. Since then I have been worried about everything related to the conservation of our natural resources. This led me to different activities and projects until we arrived at our current project. My main motivation is to be able to contribute a bit to reverse the damage caused by human activity and spread the message to different groups of people, even more to those who have not had the opportunity to receive this knowledge. I believe that little by little great changes are being made in our community and that more and more people are united for the same purpose.”

--- Johanna Nieblas Former EEP Student, Founder of Icám Ecology Club

“Throughout my time at the station, I took a variety of field based courses.

I learned skills in conducting and analyzing ecological research, and became familiarized with the local flora and fauna in the Midriff Island region. I made connections with the staff at the station, and ended up returning to complete my senior project with Cosme Becerra and Grupo Tortuguero. Through this project I expanded my skills in conducting scientific research by participating in sea turtle monitoring, and also gained a lot of insight about community based conservation.

All of those courses and this project prepared me really well for pursuing jobs in conservation biology after graduation.”

--- Natasha Riccio Prescott College Alumna

I have been lucky to have taught many courses for Prescott College at the Kino Bay Center over the last 20 years, including Statistics for Research and Field Methods in Plant Ecology.

As Department Chair for Environmental Studies, I have encouraged the development of excellent marine and terrestrial based courses at the Center and am proud of the array of courses that have been centered in the Gulf of California in the last few decades because of the Center. My students and colleagues have joined me in studying climate impacts on native shrubs and trees, Jatropha and Bursera, and on the relationships of pollinators to native plants on islands in the Gulf as well as on the mainland. We have learned from our Comcaac collaborators much about native plant uses, and recently have begun a collaboration to monitor the important ocean angiosperm Zostera in the Infernillo. Such possible research ventures are clearly tied to the field station and the many ties with the communities in the area that have been built for many years.

--- Lisa Floyd-Hanna, Prescott College Faculty Member Prescott College Kino Bay Center - Page 23

Dedication to Eduardo “Guacho” Becerra This past year we lost our dear friend and colleague Eduardo “Guacho” Becerra. We are grateful for the time we shared with him as a captain, teacher, collaborator, and conservationist. Guacho had a great impact on those who had the opportunity to spend time with him in conversation, on field trips, and during many other activities in which he participated as a member of the Prescott College Kino Bay Center community. He was, simply put, a wonderful human being, known throughout the community for his generous and noble spirit. He was a powerful advocate for youth access to fitness and for the conservation of Bahía de Kino’s natural resources. He was also a committed member of Kino Bay’s Grupo Tortuguero.

Guacho’s loss leaves a great void that will be difficult to fill.

Thank you Guacho, for all of your lessons, talks, and jokes. Thank you for sharing with us your wisdom about life and for all of your good deeds. Here in Bahía de Kino you have left many friends who will miss you dearly. We will continue to carry forward what you have taught us and honor your impact on the world.

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In remembrance of a beloved colleague, family member, conservation advocate, and community leader

Our Partners In the protection and conservation of natural and cultural heritage, we are not alone. We are very grateful for these partnerships and collaborations that help make our work possible. These are the friends of the Center:

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Our Supporters Our work is not possible without the generosity of many individual donors. No matter the size, each gift helps us to realize our mission and vision. We are very thankful for our community of supporters who believe in the work of the Kino Bay Center.

Current Foundation Support: David and Lucile Packard Foundation KAKATU Foundation The Coleman Family Estate The Christensen Fund Sonoran Joint Venture Marisla Foundation The Leiter Family Foundation

Kino Bay Center Executive Council Members Lisa Floyd-Hanna Doug Hulmes Paul Burkhardt Geoff Barnard Benjamin Wilder Jerry Secundy

Jennie Duberstein Emily Clark Eduardo Palacios Gisela Heckel Jose Maria Martínez Rodríguez

Xavier Basurto Marlu Robledo Ed Boyer Maria Johnson Richard Cudney Joel Hiller

The National Science Foundation The Margaret T. Morris Foundation The Estate of Sylvia Hulmes Wild at Heart Foundation Global Green Grants Cleo A. Bluth Charitable Foundation Community Foundation of Breat River Bend

Photos courtesy of: Héctor Pérez Puig, Kayla Sargent, McKenna Hanson, Naomi Blinick, Olivia Osuna, Laura Monti, Martha Verónica Maldonado Bracamontes, Jorge Alberto Miros Gómez, Rebecca Natoli, Erica Gaeta, Becca Bramwell, Johanna Nieblas, Natasha Riccio, Chris Oakley, Brenda Astorga Prescott College Kino Bay Center - Page 26

Connect with us!

Past Funders:

Prescott College Kino Bay Center

@kinobaycenter

For more information about our work this year or our organization, please visit our website at www.prescott.edu/kino-bay-center/ or e-mail us at kino_bay@prescott.edu.

We look foward to hearing from you!