OUR HISTORY
The Natural History Society Niparajá AC was founded in 1990 as a civil society organization, by a group of volunteers committed with the protection of the environment and an orderly development of society.
We chose the name of a regional pre-Hispanic deity for our organization: Niparajá the God of the Pericú, lord of heaven, of the sea and the earth, creator of the peninsula, its plants, animals and human beings.
Over the years we have established a network of contacts and alliances with different sectors of the population, maintaining a permanent collaboration dialogue.
We understand the need and are committed to join efforts to provoke the change of Status quo and between all redefine what does a quality of life mean, a prosperous community and a healthy environment. For this we propose alternative models of development seeking transparency and dialogue with the government. We believe it necessary and urgent to discuss and introduce successful economic models based on conservation.
After three decades of working for this region, we can say that we have learned that: the collaboration between sectors is indispensable for the achievement of our objectives; the generation of reliable, solid and truthful information provides the medullary support to transcend in time; but above all, the understanding of the delicate balance between man-nature, science-culture, tradition-conservation and economic welfare-sustainable development that permeates our decision making is essential to achieve our mission.
We conceive the conservation of the environment as the best tool to transform and improve the quality of life of sudcalifornians. We trust that through coordinated work from all sectors in society we can convert our natural capital in a source of collective prosperity.
Our roots lie deep within Baja California Sur, our work and commitment to the land and the sea that surrounds it are evidence of the strength of our organization.
“It is urgent to stop the environmental deterioration that we are causing, and we would have the power to do it only if we were aware that every decision we make compromises our future on this planet”
Paola Ruffo
Niparajá Board of Directors President
OUR NATURE
OUR VALUES
Professionalism
Niparajá is a multidisciplinary team that implements high-impact projects based on solid scientific research, social action and legal activism.
Vanguard
Through clear and effective processes, we generate quality results and implement innovative solutions.
Inclusion
We encourage the participation of society by creating partnerships and collaborations that are transparent, fair and accessible.
Respect
We recognize and consider the values of the people and institutions we work with.
Autonomy
We act according to our decisions and do not serve special interests.
Congruence
We are consistent in our actions, inside and outside the organization.
Transparency
We are accountable for our actions and willing to share the results of our work with partners, donors and society.
OUR PEOPLE
In 30 years we have evolved from a volunteer organization to a complex interdisciplinary team with more than 20 staff under the guidance of a board of directors.
The board ensures that our decisions meet the objectives of transparency and continuity in our work programs. The board works to identify opportunities that strengthen the organization.
Niparajá is led by a team with broad experience in conservation and community development.
Meet the Board of Directors and team Niparajá:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STAFF
OUR NETWORK
“If you want to walk fast walk alone, if you want to walk far, walk together!” African Proverb
Each of our programs involves collaboration with a wide network of allies, partners, and colleagues.
Organizations that we work with:
Agua Vale más que el Oro
Albergue Calafia
Alianza para la Sustentabilidad del Noroeste Costero
Amigos para la Conservación de Cabo Pulmo
Asociación Interamericana de Derecho Ambiental
Centro de Colaboración Cívica
Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental
Centro para la Conservación de la Biodiversidad Marina
Comité de Gestión Local de Cabo Pulmo
Comité Técnico de Aguas Subterráneas La Paz-El Carrizal
Cómo vamos La Paz
Comunidad y Biodiversidad
Conciencia México
Defensa Ambiental del Noroeste
Eco-Alianza de Loreto
Ecology Project International México
Environmental Defense Fund
El Mangle
Fondo Acción Solidaria
Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza
Frente Ciudadano en Defensa del Agua y la Vida
Greenpeace
Grupo Ciruelito
Grupo Ecologista Antares
Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias
National Outdoor Leadership School
Natural Resources Defense Council
Noroeste Sustentable
Observatorio Ciudadano del Agua y Saneamiento de La Paz
Planeta Península
Ponguinguiola
Programa Biomar – GIZ
Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo
Pronatura Noroeste
Proyecto Bio-regional de Educación Ambiental
Raíz de Fondo
RARE
Urbanería
WildCosast
Government institutions:
Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicios #230
Centro de Estudios Tecnológicos del Mar
Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Centro Regional de Investigación Pesquera – La Paz, Baja California Sur
Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de BCS #11
Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de BCS #3
Colegio St. John´s
Comisión Estatal del Agua de Baja California Sur
Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas
Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca
Comisión Nacional del Agua
Comisión Nacional Forestal
Duke University
Escuela Superior de Cultura Física
Federación de Cooperativas Pesqueras Zona Centro de Baja California Sur
Gobierno del Estado de Baja California Sur
H. Ayuntamiento de La Paz
H. Ayuntamiento de Loreto
Instituto Mar de Cortés
Instituto Mexicano de la Juventud
Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Social
Instituto Nacional de Pesca
Instituto Tecnológico de La Paz
Instituto Sudcaliforniano de Cultura
Instituto Sudcaliforniano de la Juventud
Preparatoria José María Morelos y Pavón
Preparatoria Mahatma Ghandi
Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente
Programa de Acercamiento de la Ciencia a la Educación del CIBNOR
Secundaria 10
Secundaria 13
Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación
Secretaría de Desarrollo Social – Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Social
Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur
Voluntarios Calafia de Protección Civil
Foundations:
Alianza WWF – Fundación Carlos Slim
Fundación Mexicana para la Educación Ambiental
Fundación Soriana
International Community Foundation
Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Joint Fund
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Foundation
The Nature Conservancy
The Walton Family Foundation
Resources Legacy Fund
Partners and community allies:
Comunidad de Agua Verde
Comunidad de Cabo Pulmo
Comunidad de El ciruelito
Comunidad de El Pardito
Comunidad de Ensenada de Cortés
Comunidad de La Cueva y Nopoló
Comunidad de La Ribera
Comunidad de Las Ánimas
Comunidad de Palma Sola
Comunidad de Punta Alta
Comunidad de Punta Coyote
Comunidad de San Evaristo
Comunidad de Tembabichi
Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera Pescadores del Esterito
Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera, Acuícola y Turístico Islote Agua Verde
Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera, Acuícola y Turístico Playas del Puertito
Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera, Acuícola y Turístico Roca Solitaria
Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera Bahía de La Paz
Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera Hermanos Calderón
Otros colaboradores:
Baja Expeditions / Friends of Wild Baja
Baja Challenge Bicis
BCSicletos
BCS Noticias
Bicicletas Lenin
Breeze Mart
Buffalo BBQ
Californios Verdes
Canal 8
Canal 10
Cinépolis
Ciudad de Los Niños
Costa Baja
Dairy Queen
Ellas en Bici
El Diario de La Paz
El Independiente
El Peninsular
El Peninsular Digital
Feyco
Fox Rent a Car
Fun Baja
Fymsa
Global Gas
Holismo
Hotel La Concha
Kayakeros La Paz
Kayakeros Pericú
Kayaks Punta Baja
La Jornada
La Zona Perfecta
Leche Caracol
Megacable
Megacanal La Paz
Moorings México
Octavo Día
Ola Tv
Ortomedix
Oxxo
Perla Negra Bar
Powerade
Pragma Colour
Promomedios California
Purificadora de Agua Balandra
Radio Fórmula
Restaurante Luna Bruja
Restaurante Samael
Restaurante Tío Bencho
Reforma
Rotarios Club
Runners
Subway
Tacos del Sur
Tribuna de Los Cabos
Unidad de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación