INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT IN SANTIAGUILLO LA

Santiaguillo Lagoon, a wetland in the Chihuahuan Desert, is critical for the migration of aquatic birds in the Central Flyway. An innovative social governance scheme has been established for this lagoon, featuring an active citizen committee.

The grant project follows guidance from this committee, and is consistent with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the North American Shorebird Conservation Plan, the Waterbird Conservation Plan of the Americas, and the Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plans. This project will establish conservation reserves on 19,027 acres.

It will enhance 2,508.12 acres of aquatic habitat; restore 15,936.75 acres of degraded uplands in the upper and middle watershed; and manage 11,119 acres of aquatic habitat. It will also develop a protocol for the remediation of contaminants and establish two oxidation lagoons.