We’re excited to welcome four students from the Universidad de la Sierra in Moctezuma, Sonora, who are completing their thesis research projects with the support and guidance of our Sonora team.
Over the coming months, Oswaldo, Daniel, Natalia, and Yulissa will be conducting research that will not only strengthen their training as biologists, but will also contribute to our mission in the Sky Islands.
Oswaldo Valdez
“I’m Oswaldo Valdez Tamayo, a biology student at Universidad de la Sierra. I’ve participated in restoration projects with Sky Island Alliance and am currently developing my research on the control of the invasive plant cat’s claw (Mimosa aculeaticarpa) at Rancho Agua de Enmedio in Sonora, under the guidance of SIA.”
Oswaldo’s project is key research for restoration efforts, as it’s important to determine the best strategies for controlling invasive species that threaten local biodiversity and natural resilience processes.
Daniel Moreno
“My name is Jesús Daniel Moreno Yáñez, and I’m a biology student at Universidad de la Sierra. I’m passionate about fieldwork and taking photos with my camera of landscapes, flora, and fauna. I have worked on various projects with Sky Island Alliance and participated in the ‘Path of the Jaguar’ internship in 2024. I’m currently conducting my research on a comparative analysis of climate data recorded at Rancho Nuevo in Moctezuma, Sonora, with the support and guidance of SIA”.
Through this research, Daniel will contribute important data to help understand how climate change is impacting our region.
Natalia Ballesteros
“Hi all — I’m Natalia Ballesteros, a biology student at UniSierra. I’m interested in the relationships that exist between the environment, flora, and fauna, and how through various methods and techniques we can contribute to having a more sustainable environment. During my upcoming work with Sky Island Alliance, I will be focusing on a study of vegetation conservation areas along a trail at the Universidad de la Sierra. It’s important to have updated information to promote sustainability and care for ecosystems. I am grateful for SIA’s support.”
Yulissa Sanez Meraz
“I’m a student at UniSierra and am interested in the study of fauna and its relationship with the natural environment, as well as the importance of generating information that contributes to conservation. During my collaboration with SIA, I will develop a project focused on creating a descriptive catalog of wildlife in the Sky Islands, with the purpose of documenting the species present in the region and providing useful data for the protection of ecosystems. I believe that having updated records is essential to promote sustainability and strengthen conservation actions, which is why I thank the organization for the support provided for carrying out this work.”
These collaborations with UniSierra and our commitment to students allow us to accompany new generations of conservationists, providing them with tools to research, restore, and defend the unique ecosystems of the Sky Islands. At SIA, we believe that every research project, every piece of data, and every field action is important to our mission, where we use science, conservation, education, and advocacy to connect the binational landscapes, people, and wildlife of this special region.