The Sea of Cortez has over 40 islands, which are recognized as one of the most pristine archipelagos left on Earth. Colonies of sea lions use the islands as nurseries – up to 25,000 individuals – which make up 80% of this species’ distribution in the Sea of Cortez. One of these islands, Isla Espíritu Santo, lies directly offshore from the Bay of La Paz.

Thanks to the generosity of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The Walton Family Foun-dation, World Wildlife Fund, FUNDEA, The Nature Conservancy, and several U.S. and Mexican funders, the island and the adjoining Isla Partida was purchased in February 2003, with a manage-ment endowment established for its long-term protection.

This year with support from Conservation International, FUNDEA, Gabriela Flores and Josh Lampl, Norm Roberts, Bill Kuni, Alan Harper on behalf of Terra Peninsular, Lucy Killea, Sempra Energy, and Augie Gallego, ICF matched a $250,000 grant by the UN Foundation for costs that were not covered by the acquisition and endowment– namely, the start-up expenses for infrastructure that would support additional day tourists, as well as operational and programmatic support to local non-profit conservation organizations that will work with the Mexican National Park Service to manage the island. This includes funding for invasive species eradication, environmental education, monitoring, and a cam-paign to secure World Heritage Site designation for Espíritu Santo and additional marine park areas.

The acquisition of Isla Espíritu Santo will produce a healthy habitat for sea lions, migratory birds, and endemic plants; an exotic location for travelers that has adequate infrastructure to mitigate their impact; and a conservation and management strategy that will protect the island’s resources over the long-term. In addition, the campaign to secure World Heritage Site status and expand the islands’ protection to include the surrounding marine areas will preserve important nursery grounds and coral reefs for fish.