They are protected wetlands considered the cradle of biological diversity, i.e., they are among the most productive environments in the world and a shelter for several species of flora and fauna.
Mexico ranks second among countries with the largest number of RAMSAR sites, with 142 sites covering 8,657,057 hectares. Since February 2, 2008, the Cañón de Fernández State Park, located in the Comarca Lagunera, is part of these protected sites.
With an area of 17 thousand hectares, the park harbors 35 plant families with 103 genera and 240 species, in addition to 210 bird species, 53 mammals, 44 reptile species, and 7 amphibian species. Agriculture, cattle-raising, fishing, industry, and recreational activities are among the major uses of land in this region.
It operates as a biological corridor between two regionally significant ecosystems, such as the Chihuahua Desert and the Temperate Forests in the Sierra Madre Occidental. It is critical to aquifer recharge and thus to the human development of the population, not only of residents in nearby locations, but of all the people residing in the Comarca Lagunera.
At present, it has many vulnerable and endangered species, as well as ecological communities threatened by uncontrolled tourism, the presence of exotic species, soil erosion, overgrazing and overexploitation of water.
Consequently, at Iberdrola México we are working together with Pronatura Noreste and the government of the state of Durango in a five-year project that seeks to conserve and protect sabino trees, eradicate invasive species and work with the community to achieve responsible tourism.
Initiatives of this kind reaffirm our commitment to the territory where we have a presence and to the improvement of Mexicans’ quality of life.