By Alma Colorado | Lider de Proyecto
Dear Friend,
As we begin a new year, we want to thank you for being part of this journey.
The first months of 2026 were dedicated to strengthening the foundation of a vision that continues to grow: creating opportunities for conservation, education, scientific research, and community participation along the Gulf of California.
Every step described in this report reflects the commitment of local families, students, volunteers, researchers, and partners who believe that protecting nature and strengthening communities go hand in hand.
In March, we had the privilege of coordinating the local implementation of the Statewide Beach Cleanup Program “Ola Azul,” bringing together citizens, schools, government agencies, and organizations committed to protecting our coastline.
Together, we achieved:
Beyond the numbers, this effort demonstrated what can happen when a community works toward a common goal. Hundreds of hands came together to care for the coastline that supports local wildlife, fisheries, and future generations.
Community engagement remains at the heart of everything we do.
One of the most meaningful activities of the quarter was the Third Seafood Cooking Competition held in Ejido San Lucas, the community closest to both the McKee Center and Playa Dos Amigos.
The event brought together 35 teams of children and families, teachers, schools, and local institutions. Through traditional seafood recipes, participants celebrated local culture, learned about the importance of healthy marine ecosystems, and recognized the work of fishing families who help feed our communities.
Most importantly, the event strengthened relationships with local families and created opportunities for dialogue, participation, and trust around the environmental and educational initiatives taking place in the region.
We also continued opening doors for young people interested in science and conservation.
Students from the Technological Institute of Mulegé (ITESME) visited the McKee Center to explore ideas for environmental education projects, scientific outreach activities, and future research opportunities.
These visits are part of a broader effort to connect the McKee Center, Playa Dos Amigos, and the Marine Laboratory being developed at ITESME with support from The Ocean Foundation. This collaboration will allow future generations of local students to participate directly in scientific research and environmental monitoring within their own communities.
A short distance from the McKee Center lies Playa Dos Amigos, an area connected through the same marine ecosystem but featuring very different coastal habitats. While the McKee Center is known for its rocky intertidal zone, Playa Dos Amigos includes mangroves, an estuary, and sandy beaches.
Together, these two environments create a unique natural classroom where students and researchers can better understand how different habitats support biodiversity and contribute to the health of the Gulf of California.
Throughout the quarter, our team continued maintaining and improving both sites. Routine maintenance, cleaning efforts, and infrastructure improvements helped keep the areas accessible and ready for educational activities, research, and community visits. We also developed a simple irrigation system to help maintain the access road and improve conditions for visitors and volunteers.
At Playa Dos Amigos, we continued laying the groundwork for a long-term sustainability initiative that combines conservation, environmental education, responsible nature tourism, and community development. Progress included strengthening partnerships, exploring future opportunities, improving infrastructure, and expanding planning efforts that will help support the project's long-term vision.
Every cleaned beach, every student visit, every family gathering, and every improvement to these spaces is possible because of supporters like you.
Your generosity is helping create more than a project. It is helping build a place where science, education, community, and conservation come together to protect extraordinary coastal ecosystems while creating opportunities for future generations.
Thank you for believing in our community and in the power of working together to create lasting change.
With gratitude,
Alma Colorado
By Alma Colorado | Project Leader
By Alma Colorado | Lider de Proyecto
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