The primary purpose of this project (ended September 2003) was to support biodiversity conservation in Mexico by developing the capacity of non-governmental groups and local universities to lead and build public support for coastal management at the state level for critical coastal ecosystems, as well as deepen their capacity to work towards tangible conservation results with coastal communities. The program operated in two coastal regions — the southern portion of the state of Quintana Roo and the Gulf of California — where the project’s partner organizations took the lead in local conservation and management efforts. Specific results sought through the project were:
1) Coastal management plans formally adopted and selected implementation actions underway along southern Xcalak Peninsula and Bahía Santa María, Sinaloa;
2) Low-impact practices for environmentally compatible coastal development defined and utilized more effectively by private developers and in regulatory reviews;
3) Policy options developed for the government consideration and processes established to promote their adoption; and
4) Improved capacity to enable enhanced site-management, adoption of low-impact practices and more effective coastal policy for conservation and sustainable use of coastal resources.