The Ignacio Allende Reservoir, Guanajuato
Carina Zehr, the Willamette Aves Compartidas Coordinator & Instructor, and Sebastian Witherow, Conservation Engagement Intern, recently took a trip to visit our partners in the Río Laja Basin. Throughout the fast-paced week, they had the opportunity to meet the lively conservation leaders and practitioners, teachers, students, and locals that are a part of the Willamette-Laja Twinning Partnership.
El Charco del Ingenio botanical gardens and protected area
Seeing the smiling faces of the students as they received letters reminded us of the importance of promoting cross-border peace and watershed health for not only our migratory birds, but also our communities that rely on a resource as indispensable as water.
“Meeting teachers, students, and communities in person enriched my understanding of the stories I had read about that I share with my students. Now I can go back to Oregon and better explain what the communities and the Laja River basin are like to my students. I also left this visit with a renewed sense of hope for our environment and our communities, because I know that there are people working on conservation from afar and I can also work on my part here in Oregon. Working separately, but together for the birds and our communities”
“The experience of collaboration opens paths for understanding the cultural and environmental differences and similarities between watersheds. The students could perceive that although their pen pals are far away they share likes and interests.”
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The children were excited to welcome Carina and Sebastian. They knew they came from afar, just like the birds. They happily read the letters and wrote a message back. Between basins, they share migratory birds and stories.”
During this recent visit, we also observed how the complex challenges that the Río Laja watershed faces are becoming more apparent. From the invading water hyacinth, which first appeared in the Ignacio Allende Reservoir as recently as 2021, to the tree-smothering paxtle (Tillandsia Recurvata), the community of the Río Laja watershed is facing novel challenges never seen before.
Invasive water hyacinth at the Allende Reservoir
Native trees overrun with paxtle at Peña Alta
The Willamette-Laja Twinning Partnership began the year with an incredible experience that bridged our international basins. By enriching and strengthening the bonds between the Willamette and the Laja, we are setting the stage for successful and sustainable growth in the months to come.
Native plants at Vivero la Huerta,
El Río Laja
