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Situated between one of the richest seas in the world, the
Gulf of California, and one of the most arid deserts, the Gran Desierto de
Altar, are the estuaries of the Northern Gulf of
California, places unique in their natural beauty and offering an impressive
range of biodiversity.
This incredible setting is home to the NaturArte Ecotourism
Corridor, an initiative conceived to promote the sustainable use of
the Sonora’s stunning wetlands.
Developing in a sustainable way is an ongoing challenge. We
know that models of sustainable systems are critical to expanding the
responsible use of natural resources. With this in mind, we propose a series of
small businesses dedicated to eco-tourism throughout the esteros of the
northern Gulf of California. NaturArte will be
linked by shared social and environmental principles and practices. We support
community groups in developing and marketing eco-tourism services, and in
building their organizational capacity for tourism.
For more information check out NaturArte's webpage at www.cedonaturarte.org.
* To schedule a NaturArte Eco-tour, or if you have any questions, contact us
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, at (520) 320-5473 in the U.S. or at (638) 382-0113, or 0115, in Mexico.
How do we do it?
- Identify existing groups who are interested in
eco-tourism.
- Together we design ecotourism projects.
- We look for human and economic resources to promote the
projects.
- We establish social and environmental principles to guide
the projects.
- The businesses commit to support conservation.
- CEDO offers training and support for marketing and
commercialization of the projects.
NaturArte Day Tours
CEDO and the NaturArte businesses offer a wide variety of tours
which combine fun, adventure and learning
with conservation. The tours put you in direct contact with nature and
local culture, to listen to their stories first hand. All excursions are
conducted in a safe environment with respect for wildlife and the surrounding
ecosystem.
These tours involve a
full day of activities, with 4 highlights:
1. Natural History Talk
Find out about the region’s most important ecological and
cultural features in one of CEDO’s traditional natural history talks at their
visitor center. You will see a huge whale skeleton, sea turtle shells, a desert
pupfish pond and a gift shop housed in a building of recycled tires and cans.
2. One of the
following activities:
- NaturArte Kayak Tour
Ride the tides into the estuary
whit an easy to use sit –on-top kayak. You will explore the estuary during a
three hour outing that will take you to places inaccessible by any other means.
Observe nature up close and personal.
- NaturArte Estero Tour
Explore the Hidden Universe of the
mudflats and salt marshes in the estuary. You will hike into the estuary and
discover the incredible biodiversity hidden in unexplored places.
- NaturArte Oyster experience Tour
Become an oyster farmer for the
day and learn how to sow oyster seeds, cultivate, harvest and cook these
succulent shellfish with Doña Antonia’s recipes.
- NaturArte Birdwatching Tour
Observe our Feathered Friends.
Some of the 142 species of resident and migratory birds which use Estero Morúa
may be seen feeding, resting and nesting in this estuary.
3. Visit to a local
oyster farm
You will get to know about the oyster farming life style and
oyster production techniques, which have allowed the cooperative to survive and
flourish through sustainable use of the estuary.
4. Typical sea food lunch
You can wrap up any of the above tours
with a special seafood lunch in the estuary. Enjoy, among other things, the
very freshest oysters you can find; cultured and harvested at only a short
distance from the restaurant where they are prepared and served at one of the cooperatives.
NaturArte Founding Members
Cooperativa Única
de Mujeres
Sonora’s
first oyster farming cooperative, also operates the “El Barco” Restaurant,
decorated with a beautiful mural depicting some of the estuary’s natural
inhabitants. Enjoy the stunning view of the gulf of California over a cord
beer, some fish ceviche or a dozen raw oysters.
Aquamar
Cooperative
A small family-cooperative that has harvested oysters for
over 20 years has started renting kayaks and offering kayak tours. During your
visit enjoy the sky and bird silhouette mural depicting harmony between man and
the estuary. Make sure not to leave without talking with Don Conrado or Don
Carlos, heart and soul of the cooperative.
Cooperativa Punta Roja
This cooperative offers tourist the unique chance to
experience oyster farming first hand, Punta Roja members have participated with
CEDO on several training courses such as nature interpretation, enghlish
classes and ecotourism planning.
NaturArte is part of the Geotourism Project of National
Geographic Society – Center for Sustainable Destinations, and a member of
Asociación Mexicana de Turismo de Aventura y Ecoturismo.
The proceed from the NaturArte tours go directly to benefit
the NaturArte community business and estuary conservation projects that will
help protect these essential habitats for birds, fish, plants and invertebrates
– and as an important economic and cultural resource for the communities of the
upper Gulf.
For more information contact us at
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