(Video) Crisis in the Presa Ignacio Allende [] Rotary SMA Midday Program

YouTube Link:  https://youtu.be/qB-HUoRkFsQ

By: Elizabeth Adlung

The Presa Allende is an extraordinary asset to San Miguel de Allende that provides essential habitat for native and migratory birds, livelihoods for local fishermen and unique recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

Since last October, the Municipal government has grappled with an infestation of Water Hyacinth, Lirio Acuatico, in the Presa and its threat to the ecology of the Presa.

This invasive plant, which has expanded from 30% coverage of the Presa to 50% coverage over the past four months, jeopardizes the local fishing community and threatens the health of birds and other wildlife, public health (a breeding ground for mosquitos), and recreational enjoyment of this precious asset.

In this talk, April Gaydos, president of Audubon de Mexico, AC, describes what caused this invasion and why it has grown to such significant proportions in a short time.  She also discusses current steps to control the Water Hyacinth and what is needed to address this plague. She described the Rescue the Presa Ignacio Allende campaign Audubon helped form as a community response to the Water Hyacinth invasion.

April’s conservation work began as the program manager for the Urban Watershed Institute, which offered professional development courses and conferences on conservation practices. In Palm Springs, California, she was involved in citizen initiatives that led to the preservation of hundreds of acres of hillside land as a biological and scenic corridor. She also served on Palm Springs’ first sustainability commission which laid the groundwork for incentive-based water and energy conservation programs.

“To me, it is deeply immoral that the ecological crisis and societal conflicts that we have helped to create will be passed on to our youth and future generations to solve. It is equally immoral that we are contributing to the suffering of species and perpetuating their extinction.”

Rotary is where neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders and take action to create lasting change. For more information, contact President Lee Carter at leecarco@gmail.com.

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