Our new summer practicants from the Universidad de Sonora, Paz Tapia and Andrea Borbon, experienced their first field adventure recently with Sky Island Alliance. The outing took place the second week of July, where they had the opportunity to visit the Ejido Esqueda in the municipality of Fronteras, Sonora, to assess springs in varying conditions. Some were in good shape and healthy. Others had been affected by humans or damaged by livestock. They also visited hot springs with unique biological and geological characteristics.
This field work was very enriching for them and their professional development. With the guidance of Mónica Montaño and Angel Garcia, who has studied the springs in the area since 2020, they had the opportunity to directly observe the biodiversity that lives around these water sources, their structure, and how they are threatened by different factors despite their importance to the ecosystem.
A few words from Paz and Andrea about their experience:
Paz Tapia
I would describe my first field trip with SIA as informative and useful for my professional development, as I would like to become a field biologist. I liked how organized the team was!
During the outing, we found springs littered with human trash and other springs that were affected by natural conditions, such as those at risk of collapse. The undisturbed springs looked more pristine, as if no human had set foot there in a very long time.
The last spring we visited was the one that struck me the most because it was so large. It was here that we saw the most diverse life forms, as there were snails, fish, frogs, and lizards, as well as numerous insects and birds. This shows how fundamental these places are to sustain life in the area.
Through this field day, I learned a lot about Sonora’s springs and their importance. I didn’t even know there were so many in the area. It’s important to know what’s there so we can conserve them. I also learned how to use the Spring Seeker platform on the Survey123 app to document the information we collected in the field.
I believe the Spring Seeker project is necessary for environmental conservation, since caring for water is caring for life. That’s why it’s important to monitor these water sources to see their evolution over time and to develop conservation strategies if necessary.
I definitely felt supported on this outing. The team was very good to us; they worked in a very organized manner and included us at all times. They were very responsible and friendly, always concerned about our safety and explaining everything we needed to know. They taught us many new things. I can’t wait for another trip and hope to have the opportunity to work with Sky Island Alliance again!
Andrea Borbon
My first field trip with SIA was very welcoming. I felt supported at all times. An excellent atmosphere! It was very fun and enriching for me.
During this outing, I learned to identify the necessary equipment and supplies for a field trip. I enjoyed visiting the springs where I could see water flowing directly from the earth’s water table, and I noticed that there was a greater presence of wildlife in the springs that were more difficult for livestock and humans to access. I consider these water sources very important, as they are a habitat where Sonora’s unique biodiversity can flourish.
We hope that these field experiences will further connect Paz and Andrea with their natural surroundings and motivate them to continue protecting the water, biodiversity, and ecosystems of our Sky Islands. We are very grateful for their willingness and commitment. It’s a pleasure to have them with us!