By Lucius Lee | In-the-Field Representative, Mexico
The following is a postcard from Lucius and Sarah, GlobalGiving's In-the-Field Representatives in Mexico, about FMCN's efforts to save the Golden Eagle and its habitat.
Emblazoned on the Mexican flag is the mythical Golden Eagle – a creature so rare that many Mexicans have only heard about it in legends about their country's birth. It nests high up in the mountains of Coahuila, Mexico, only descending to hunt. Despite that, the eagle’s numbers have been dwindling due to the destruction of its prey’s habitat at ground level. We visited Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (FMCN) in Saltillo and camped out in the prairie for a night to witness FMCN’s efforts to restore the eagle’s hunting grounds.
In the prairie, FMCN has begun construction on a large man-made lake to capture rainwater and restore moisture to this arid region. They have also begun to monitor communities of prairie dogs – the eagle’s main prey, in order to evaluate conservation efforts. We hiked around the prairie and listened as our expert guide, Enrique, explained the various initiatives to us.
As the day wore on and we visited the surrounding suburban communities, it soon became evident that saving the Golden Eagle was a multi-faceted project, not solely limited to restoring the wildlife in the prairie. As communities invade deeper into the natural habitat, trash and pollution start to threaten the wildlife as well. Through its “Sustainable Rural Life” project, FMCN has started programs such as providing eco-stoves that use the sun’s heat to cook food, wood-burning ovens that replace gas ovens, recycling projects, water conservation projects and has begun involving local community members in feedback programs as well. This project complements the "Save the Golden Eagle" project.
FMCN has done an amazing job in educating community members and spearheading projects to save the Golden Eagle so that future generations can enjoy this majestic creature. Support the “Sustainable Rural Life” project by clicking here or “Save the Golden Eagle, Mexico’s National Symbol” by clicking here.
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