The Mexico Conservation Funders (MCF), a place-based program of the Biodiversity Funders Group, held a remarkable funders field trip in November of 2025 across Baja California Sur to experience firsthand the people, places, and projects shaping a more sustainable future in the region.
Representatives from Allen Families Foundation, Alumbra Innovations Foundation, Biodiversity Funders Group, CO Systemic, Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Fundación Coppel, Fundación Diez Modoro, Fundación Sertull, International Community Foundation, Ocean Kind, Open Society Foundation, San Diego Foundation, Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, and Walton Family Foundation learned about leading initiatives in conservation, regeneration, sustainable food, tourism innovation, and energy transition across sectors.
Starting the journey in Cabo San Lucas, on the first day, the funders had the opportunity to visit Santiago, a community with deep roots in its territory, history and a unique Oasis, which has achieved a collective movement that has demonstrated how social and economic innovation can be used to protect the territory, watersheds, and culture, while seeking regional economic development and biodiversity conservation.
On the second day, the group visited Cabo Pulmo to dive in the Gulf of California and admire the biodiversity and high level of conservation that characterize the region. In addition, there was constructive dialogue with local leaders who shared their genuine concerns about sustaining systemic change, the importance of human relations, and the flexibility required to lead change by taking opportunities to try, fail, learn, and find solutions as a local network.
Rancho Cacachilas was the venue on the morning of the third day, where the funders met ranchers, scientists, and civil society organizations that face common challenges and implement scalable models for water restoration, regenerative production, and economic diversification, thereby building resilience and autonomy and serving as examples for other regions.
In the afternoon, La Paz became a gathering place for organizations and government representatives working to advance the circularity of Baja California’s food systems—bringing together all parts of the chain, from small- to large-scale producers, and driving value-chain transformation through multisector collaboration. That night, the group had a dialogue with leaders from the culinary sector and civil society organizations who are strengthening value markets for seafood products, promoting sustainable management, and highlighting the ecological and cultural significance of regional species.
On the final day, funders discussed with civil society organizations how to scale up the impact of marine conservation, connect social business and finance, and make solutions replicable and durable. Their work showed funders how to integrate conservation and livelihoods, engage diverse generations, and leverage technology to support better decisions. The morning concluded with a tour in Balandra, a Natural Protected Area in the region, where technology supports its protection through digital surveillance and oceanographic sensors.
The latest conversation with civil society focused on the energy transition and the need for an energy model aligned with Baja California Sur’s energy needs and insular characteristics. Participants proposed mechanisms to advance a fair and equitable transition that would enable them to achieve self-sufficiency, protect their territory, and enforce their right to health and a healthy environment.
The communities recommend that funders focus on long-term, systems-level support rather than isolated projects by investing in enabling conditions such as coordination, community organizing, monitoring, and organizational strengthening. Multi-year funding, collective governance support, and cross-regional learning are essential to ensure sustainability, reduce risk, and scale impact. Funding shared data and solutions platforms, strengthening the policy
and governance backbone, and providing flexible resources for coordination and facilitation are all critical.
The journey concluded with a reaffirmation of a shared commitment to collaboration, learning, and long-term impact. The Funders emphasized the strong social infrastructure built in recent years, with local leaders, cooperatives, ranchers, youth, fishers, and organizations collaboratively shaping fairer development and policy.
Sincere appreciation is extended to our regional partners for their openness and insights into community leadership. Baja California Sur represents a living model for conservation, regeneration, and community well-being, with relevance for the Gulf of California andbioregions worldwide.
For more details about this experience, review the trip guide. If you are interested in funding initiatives in Mexico or learning more about our network activities, please get in touch with the Program Manager, Minerva Rosette, at mrosette@biodiversityfunders.org.