Peter McAllister presented a paper to members of the Álamos History Club which focused on the current health of the ecology in southern Sonora. He referenced in his paper works by Sibley (Book on Birds), Howard Scott Gentry pioneer work (Río Mayo Plants of Sonora-Chihuahua), and another book entitled Water and Dust. Peter noted that David McKay’s list of birds in the Álamos area is an excellent resource, and that information is available on the Solipaso website.

Peter recently camped in Novapatia, an estuary near the Sinaloa border. The vegetation is basically a thorn forest, and it is very damp at night. It is the largest of the estuaries on the northeast coast of the Sea of Cortez.

In recent years, Peter said, massive shrimp farms have altered the area, polluting the waters with chemicals and antibiotics. In addition many of the facilities in this area have closed down due to mismanagement. Further north--about three miles from Huatabampito--is a fishing area named Santa Barbara, and this area suffers from over-fishing and chemicals flowing from the Colorado River. Bird life is still abundant, though, as it is used by migrating species as a wintering ground.

Another area, also called Santa Barbara, is east of Álamos. It can be reach by four-wheel drive, with the last section traversed by mules. Six related families ranch in this area, and during the school year the women and children live in Álamos to allow the children to attend school. The family has high hopes for the children, desiring that one will become a veterinarian to help with their cattle. This is a tropical deciduous forest, the northern limit of the rain forests which extend into Central and South America. The winters are dry and the summers wet, which attract many tropical birds.

Peter noted that fear and intimidation generated by the drug industry has had tragic consequences in this region. Some land is being purchased by “laundered” money, and more and more clear cutting of the forest is occurring. Peter’s mission is to preserve and protect these ecologically vital areas.