Nature and Culture International (NCI) created Monte Mojino Reserve to protect the highly threatened tropical deciduous forest ecosystem of Sonora, Mexico. In recognition of their success and to protect the newly described Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise - Turtle Conservancy, Rainforest Trust, Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, and Global Wildlife Conservation joined NCI to expand their reserve to 16,000 acres by supporting the purchase of 1000 acres of critical tortoise habitat.

Goode's Thornscrub Tortoise Preserve

Turtle Conservancy is privileged to work with NCI, whose mission is to protect biologically diverse ecosystems in concert with local people in Latin America. NCI believes that success is defined by allowing nature to thrive so the people who depend upon it can too. It means a forest where the towering trunks of old growth trees remain so that jaguars can still walk the ground at dawn. It means communities where children no longer get sick after a strong rain, because they have protected one of their most precious assets: water.

Since 1996, NCI has helped save almost 14 million acres of endangered ecosystems, working with local and in many cases indigenous communities, and with governments from the local to the national level. Their comprehensive and bottom-up strategies result in sustainable conservation programs that truly work for the long-term. In the face of growing threats to the ecosystems that sustain our planet, NCI is working to save 20 million acres by 2020.

Turtle Conservancy is immensely grateful for the opportunity to partner with NCI to protect Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise and its threatened forest habitat. And thank you to Jennifer and David MacKay for their work with NCI and hosting us at their spectacular boutique, eco-resort El Pedregal.

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