Since 1995 we have held annual Environmental Contests in which students of all ages compete to research and solve an environmental problem. Students step up in their communities to publicize the issue and promote sustainable use of natural resources.

In 2009 CEDO was proud to hold its 15th Environmental Contest. "Flying to their Destination" focused on the conservation of the migratory birds that come to Puerto Peñasco.  In this contest, more than 150 students from kindergarten to high school, developed a research project in an estuary in order to increase their knowledge about the migratory birds that use them as part of their migratory routes. They also evaluated the threats that are afflicting our estuaries like garbage, off-road vehicles and developments. Finally, they did a communication campaign in which they brought a message of conservation to the community. 

A “Migratory Parade” and awards ceremony were performed commemorating International Migratory Bird Day and World Environment Day. In the ceremony some students wore bird costumes and Paulina Morales, from a local kindergarten school, won a prize for her original seagull costume, which showed a bird eating a fish.

The efforts of the teams were evaluated by three judges who have a relationship to migratory birds: Alyssa Rosemartin (researcher), Rosario Javalera (oyster farmer) and Carlos Cañez (government official).

The prize winners are listed as followed: team name, school name and then the prize they received. The winners were:
- First Place: "Los Nuevos Exploradores" from Jardín de Niños Nuevos Caminos. $5,000 pesos and 10 tickets to "Aquí es con Flavio" restaurant.
- Second Place: "Los Chicos Vainilla" from Instituto O´dham. $3,000 pesos and 2 tickets to "Las Palomas" restuarant.
- Third Place: "Los Superiores" from CETMAR. $1,500 pesos and 2 tickets to "Porto Fino: restuarant.

Congratulations to all of our winners and to everyone who participated!

Themes from previous years include:
- 1995 - 2000: Clean up and recycling campaigns

- 2001: Ahorremos Agua y Embellezcamos Nuestros Jardines - Let’s Save Water and Enjoy Beautiful Gardens

- 2002: Cuidado con la Basura Orgánica - Careful with Organic Trash

- 2003: Cuidado con las Moscas - Watch out for Flies

- 2004: Reciclemos el Cartón - Let’s Recycle Cardboard

- 2006: Aguas con el Agua - Watch out for our Water

- 2007: Al Rescate de Nuestros Humedales - Rescue our Wetlands

- 2008: Explorando Entre las Mareas y los Arrecifes Rocosos - Exploring between Tides and Rocky Reefs