Marine Reserves

• In 2000 the European Commission approved a FANP proposal for 786,940 euros to help consolidate the management of Sian Ka’an and the Gulf of California Islands protected areas, and to promote local fundraising mechanisms in the protected areas Isla Contoy and Ría Lagartos. The project finished on March 2004.
• Xcalak and Banco Chinchorro protected areas are located in the state of Quintana Roo. Xcalak is on the coast and Banco Chinchorro and is a part of the Mesoamerican Coral Reef System, the world’s second most important coral reef. The Summit and Homeland Foundation decided to establish a US$1.6 million endowment for both of these areas. Interests of initial donations are already being applied in the field.

• With the support of The Packard Foundation, FMCN established a US$1.5 million endowment for Espíritu Santo Island , expropriated in accordance with its previous owners.
• During 2003, FMCN started a fundraising campaign to establish an endowment for the Bahía de los Ángeles Reserve, in the Gulf of California . The disbursements from the Packard and Marisla Foundations add up to US$375,000 on December 2004.

The Gulf of California is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world. It harbors more than one third of marine mammals on the planet and its insular fauna and flora are unique. In addition to its rich biodiversity, it includes the most productive marine area in Mexico . Combined with the isolating conditions in more than 900 islands, this area is a true feast of biodiversity.
In 2002, FMCN launched the Gulf of California Conservation Fund (FCGC). The FCGC is a regional financial mechanism that supports conservation projects in the region. It is the result of the collaboration of numerous organizations working in the Gulf of California . It captures donations from tourists on board of nature and adventure travel cruise ships owned by "Lindblad Expeditions” and channels the funds to projects selected by a Technical Advisory Committee.
The conservation community in the Gulf of California is considered the most organized group in the country. Some 30 conservation organizations work at the local and regional level with clear specialized areas and effective coordination among them through a so-called "coalition". Regional efforts include an umbrella group called "Alcosta", which monitors the development of the EN and its effects on biodiversity, a group called "Noroeste Sustentable" that gather businessmen promoting sustainable development in the region, and the FCGC, serving as a financial mechanism to support long-term biodiversity conservation in the region.

An analysis of present conservation efforts and needs indicates three important funding opportunities in the region: the consolidation of the FCGC as a long term financial mechanism for the region, an awareness campaign focused on the importance of mangroves under threat by unsustainable development in the region, and the development of capacities in local conservation organizations to contribute to sustainable development in the region.
The FCGC is currently managed by FMCN. It is run by a Committee (formed by representatives of several sectors of the region) and a general coordinator. It is intended to have a mixed structure of endowment and sinking funds, to maintain its operation and project allocation in the future.
The FCGC has funded more than 20 conservation projects since its inception.