Notes from the Gulf: Science, Art and Conservation, CEDO's Spring 2009 Lecture Series
- February 6, 2009

CEDO's Notes from the Gulf: Science, Art and Conservation, a three-part lecture series, focused on bringing attention to the Northern Gulf of California, and its invaluable natural and cultural resources. The series incorporated science, art and conservation to exemplify the beauty and challenges facing the Northern Gulf and surrounding Sonoran Desert. Read on to learn about our guest speakers and artists who made up this lecture series in 2009.

*** Dates, times, speakers, lecture titles and more details are listed below.***

Location: UA Poetry Center, 1508 E. Helen St. Tucson, AZ 85721. Click here to view this address in Google Maps.

* Co-Sponsored by the University of Arizona Poetry Center.

Time: Each lecture is from 6 to 8p.m.

- Tuesday, February 24, 2009: Birds and Brands for the Conservation of Coastal Wetlands

Least Tern

Speakers: Alejandro Castillo (CEDO/UA), Alyssa Rosemartin (UA/CEDO) and Ellen McMahon (UA/CEDO)

This lecture began with a bird’s eye view of the estuaries of the Northern Gulf of California and CEDO’s research program to characterize these essential habitats. Migratory birds from both north and south use these coastal marshes, along with some resident birds. Alyssa Rosemartin told us their story, focusing on the protected least tern. Alejandro Castillo, CEDO’s Assistant Director of Conservation, explained how the least tern became our banner for protecting at least one estuary. He also discussed numerous strategies for conservation around wetlands.



Ellen McMahon, UA fine arts professor and CEDO Board Member, showed how art and science were interwoven to create the eco-tourism brand called NaturArte, to provide economic opportunities for local oyster growers, and protect one of the Northern Gulf’s beautiful wetlands. 

- Tuesday, March 31, 2009: Voices of and for Vaquita, the World’s Most Endangered Marine Mammal

Drawing of Vaquita

Speakers:  Dr. Barbara Taylor (NOAA) and José Campoy (CONANP)

Mexico has invested over $18 million to save the vaquita, the world’s most endangered marine mammal species. The Vaquita Expedition in 2008 brought an international team of scientists together to help Mexico better monitor this species using the latest acoustic technologies. Dr. Taylor related the many successes of the Expedition and explained why there is new cause for optimism.


José Campoy, Director of the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve gave a brief history of conservation efforts, and highlights of what the government and fishermen are doing to save this porpoise. A beautiful animal, the vaquita has been a source of inspiration for many artists.  Drawings and a poem, Dos Vaquitas, written by J. Nichols, were shared.

- Tuesday, April 21, 2009: Marine Connections: Currents, Reserves, and Sustainable Fisheries  

Fishing Boats in the Gulf

Speakers: Dr. Richard Cudney-Bueno (UA, the Packard Foundation, CEDO), Alison Deming (UA) and Tad Pfister (UA)

From 2002 to 2004 commercial divers worked with Dr. Richard Cudney-Bueno, to increase productivity of their mollusk fisheries. They participated in subtidal monitoring and observed first-hand the effectiveness of maintaining no fishing areas. By coupling these results with a study of oceanographic currents and larval dispersal offshore of Puerto Peñasco, we have gained important insights into the use of marine reserves to maximize fisheries recruitment. Lessons learned from this work and other research will translate into management plans for about a dozen species and areas of special importance in the Northern Gulf through the PANGAS project.

Tad Pfister, UA coordinator for the PANGAS project, which involves six institutions, including CEDO, will related how this ecosystem-based approach helps Mexico move toward co-management of sustainable small scale fisheries. UA creative writer Alison Deming read from her inspirational book "In the Territory of Birds" set on Isla Tiburon, one of the Gulf’s most productive island systems.

This series was an excellent overview of the current state of the flora and fauna of the Northern Gulf of California.

For information on future lectures and events sponsored by CEDO, email  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (520) 320-5473. 

Click below to read more about What's Going on at CEDO, including our own Alejandro Castillo, CEDO's Assistant Director, winning Mexico's National Youth Award.