AID grant no. 598-0780-G-00-2024-00 to Centro Ecologico de Sonora to conduct a program for conservation planning and establish a system of protected areas in Sonora, Mexico

Working through its Conservation Data Center (CDC), Centro Ecologico will screen 70 biodiversity sites and work with scientists and state and federal agency staff to identify the 10 highest priority sites in the state. Centro Ecologico will evaluate the biological resources, key species and habitats, human uses, land ownership, and threats to diversity in these 10 sites; develop preliminary management plans for them; and work with state and federal authorities to establish a state system of protected areas incorporating the sites and determine administrative responsibilities and management plans for the state system. Centro Ecologico will strengthen the capacity of its CDC to direct conservation efforts by incorporating existing data on species and sites in Sonora and though an outreach program to state and federal land planning and management agencies. Finally, Centro will develop a public education and outreach campaign, using radio, TV, and printed media, about the importance of a protected area system.