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<br />~.. 1 <br /> <br />002737 <br /> <br />Opportunities for Ecological Improvement Along the Lower Colorado River <br />Mark Briggs and Steve Cornelius <br />7/24/97 <br /> <br />Figure 5. As part of a management course conducted by the <br />Reserva de la Biosfera Alto GoHo y Delta del Rio Colorado, <br />members of the Ejido Johnson were trained as Cienega de Santa <br />Oara guides. Such programs can strengthen links between local <br />communities and the conservation of critical wetland ecosystems. <br /> <br />The goal of this and other community-based resource management efforts (such as <br />sustainable consumptive use of wild species) is to create appreciation for the spiritual, <br />cultural, and economic benefits provided by adjacent natural areas, and design <br />incentives for residents to become actively engaged in their conservation. This <br />approach generally is accomplished by providing opportunities for neighboring <br />communities and land owners to participate meaningfully in decision-making <br />processes that concern the land and water they are fortunate to live next to, and by <br />structuring management policies so that financial benefits are accrued by communities <br />that accept a resource conservation obligation. <br /> <br />7. Create Zones of Protection <br />Providing increased levels of protection can help to maintain critical wetland areas in <br />the long-term. The Cienega de Santa Clara is part of the much larger Reserva de la <br />Biosfera Alto GuHo de California y Delta del Rio Colorado. This protected area was <br />established by the. Mexican Government in 1993 to conserve the ecosystems of the <br />Sonoran Desert, upper Gulf and the delta, and to provide and protect fishing and <br />tourism activities. This international reserve is recognized by UNESCO and offers <br />significant protection to core ecosystems. Future Colorado River conservation efforts <br /> <br />Page 25 <br />