Centro Ecologico
Preserving the Sonoran Desert
by David Dunaway

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The Sonora Desert stretches from the southern tip of Arizona and California into the Mexican state of Sonora on the Sea of Cortez. This barren expanse, home to lonely Saguaro cacti and century plants, has come increasingly under attack by the forces of progress and technology. The creeping suburbanization of the southwestern United States, blatant pollution from factories along the border and uncertain water supplies threaten this fragile ecosystem.

The Mexican environmental movement is small in comparison the that north of the border. It seems that worrying about the environment is more of a luxury that we in the states can afford while developing countries have to concentrate on job creation. Recently a small but vocal front in Mexico has started to address some of the sins of the past One of the central efforts of the uprising in Chiapas was a new emphasis on care for the environment.

One place to get a closer view of the Sonoran desert as well as gain a better understanding of this endangered region is at the Centro Ecologico outside Hermosillo, capital of the state of Sonora. This midsize city 150 miles south of the border is located on the eastern edge of what is rapidly becoming Mexico's dominant manufacturing region.

Early one July morning we drove down from Douglas, Arizona, through the Sierra Madre mountain range. The winding road through the mountains allowed for a great view and the cool desert air felt good with the windows down. The temperature quickly rose once the sun was up. By the time we arrived at the Centro was 5 PM and very hot in the sun.

The center comprises 2400 acres of rolling hills 4 kilometers south of town. Four dollars admission (at July 1994 exchange rates) admits one for a self paced walk through 2.8 km of paths over the rough desert terrain. More than 300 types of plants can be viewed along with 200 animals from around the world.

Exhibits showcase the four types of ecosystems in the state of Sonora: mountains, grasslands, desert and the Sea of Cortez. Ample descriptions (in Spanish) tell about the plants and animals, as well as the climate and topography of each region. The rest of the park is devoted to larger animals from both North America and other continents.

A greenhouse at the end of the path provides cool and welcome relief from the blazing sun. This affords the chance to see plants from the more tropical regions, many of which are endangered species.

If you're interested in a closer look at this desert region and don't mind a reasonably strenuous self-guided tour, the Centro Ecologico gives a good overview for the first time visitor.

The author can be reached via e-mail at: ddunaway@heavy.dallas.sgi.com

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