¡Viva el Colectivo Sonora Silvestre!

CSS members at the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Michoacán, México

Written By:  Lea Ibarra (CSS) and Kurt Vaughn (BRN)
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The Colectivo Sonora Silvestre (CSS) is an independent group of biology students from the University of Sonora and engineering students from the Technological University of Cananea focused on ecosystem conservation in Sonora. Within the Colectivo there are three main groups that work in the state of Sonora; the Alianza Mariposa Monarca (Monarch Butterfly Alliance), Grupo de Exploración de Manantiales en Sonora (Sonora Springs Exploration Group) and el Escuadrón de Rastreo de Fauna Silvestre (Wildlife Tracking Squad). We have gotten more familiar with their activities since three members of the CSS came up to Patagonia to participate in BRN’s Field School this year.

This self-organized, and largely self-funded, student collective is doing incredible work from wildlife monitoring, to quality assessments of natural spring ecosystems and documenting the presence of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) populations in Sonora. In addition, they are developing an environmental education program focused on habitat conservation in rural and urban schools along the Rio Sonora. This education effort has the twin goals of promoting biodiversity conservation and strengthening relationships between communities and their local flora and fauna.


The group hopes to continue its current projects of documenting the incredible biodiversity of Northern Sonora and hopes to expand its efforts to contribute to local environmental education and promote the sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity. If you would like to supporting the work of these amazing students please consider giving a US tax-deductible donation via BRN’s portal (http://www.borderlandsrestoration.org/donate.html), please make sure to include a note that says “CSS”. 

Members of the Sonora Springs Exploration Group performing a spring assessment on Cuenca de los Ojos’ property Rancho San Bernardino, Sonora.

The Wildlife Tracking Squad documenting a bobcat roadkill site on Highway 14 in Sonora. 

After a biological inventory in the Sierra Los Ajos, Bavispe, Sonora.