Naturalia

Naturalia "is a non-profit conservation organization founded in 1990 by a group of citizens concerned with the critical situation of wild species in Mexico. With headquarters in Mexico City, the organization plans and develops projects to recover and protect degraded ecosystems and threatened species. Naturalia engages in a variety of activities within Mexican society to promote the necessity of preserving the country’s rich natural heritage; this includes publishing their conservation magazine, Especies.

"In 2003, Naturalia purchased the 10,000-acre Rancho Los Pavos in northeastern Sonora and laid the foundation for the Northern Jaguar Reserve. Funding for this purchase came from the sale of limited-issue silver coins that depicted different endangered animals of Mexico, including the jaguar. Soon thereafter, Naturalia and NJP joined together as full partners, co-managing the ranch and ultimately purchasing the 35,000-acre Rancho Zetasora together in early 2008.

"Naturalia’s other protected wildlife reserve, the 10,000-acre Rancho Los Fresnos, is located near the U.S.-Mexico border in the renowned San Pedro watershed. Purchased by The Nature Conservancy and transferred to Naturalia in 2005, Los Fresnos is more accessible and easier to reach than Zetasora and Los Pavos. It is here in this area of lush grasslands and cienegas that jaguars will one day again cross the border."

• Oscar Moctezuma - Executive Director