COASTAL PLAIN OF TAMAULIPAS

This project will be conducted at the Rancho El Mezquite in San Fernando County in the state of Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico, within the Laguna Madre Wetland Complex.

The Laguna Madre Wetland Complex is a Mexican Priority Wetland, a Key Area for Waterfowl and Shorebirds, and an Important Area for Waterbirds.

The freshwater wetlands of the complex are important for migratory birds that winter there, including Northern Pintail and Redhead.

The region hosts 15% of all the wintering waterfowl in Mexico, including 36% of the entire continental Redhead population, 6% of the entire continental population of Piping Plover, globally threatened, and 20% of the Reddish Egret in the world.

Unfortunately, the wetlands have been declining or deteriorating because of increased agricultural and cattle raising activities in the region.

It is necessary to implement restoration and protection activities to guarantee wetland conservation for the benefit migratory waterfowl and other wildlife.

The project will restore 4,670 acres of freshwater wetlands adjacent to the Laguna Madre within the Rancho El Mezquite, through construction of hydraulic infrastructure and protect those acres through a 20-year agreement with the ranch owner to promote conservation and better management.