Running under the slogan “We All Dream of Flying,” the 2013 Lake Chapala Bird Festival takes flight Friday, November 22, with an inaugural event at the Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo starting off at 5 p.m. with a brief talk on wild bird trafficking, followed by an introduction to this year’s star species, the roseate spoonbill.
The main objective of the ten-day program of activities is to raise public awareness about Lake Chapala’s environmental status, putting a focus on its rich winged wildlife. Recognition of the lakeshore region as an important haven for nearly 300 different native and migratory winged species was a key factor in Lake Chapala’s designation as Ramsar Convention wetlands site. The local bird population is estimated to rise to about 20,000 individuals during the peak winter season, although scientists warn that the number has declined significantly in recent years due to worldwide climate change and environmental deterioration.
Folks keen on seeing Chapala’s bird life in its natural habitat will enjoy the guided bird walks scheduled for Sunday, November 24, and again Saturday, November 30, heading out from the gates of Chapala’s Cristiania Park at 9 a.m. English-speaking members of the Lake Chapala Birders and a Mexican expert will lead the treks.
Festival organizers affiliated with the non-profit Corazon de la Tierra environmental development institute put a strong emphasis on educational activities for children. The program includes a series of in-house classes running at local schools throughout next week, plus open workshops slated for Sunday, November 24, at the Chapala Malecon and Sunday, December 1, at the Ajijic Malecon, 4 to 6 p.m.
Adults seeking deeper learning about Lake Chapala and its ecosystem are welcome to attend two programs booked for Friday, November 29, in the Kleffel Auditorium at the Instituto Tecnologico, situated just off the Chapala-Ajijic Libramiento by-pass. “Contaminación Agrícola y Erosión en la Cuenca del Lago Chapala,” the publication of a recent study on the impacts of agricultural pollution and erosion—also available in an English edition, will be introduced at 10 a.m. The book’s cover price is 250 pesos. Following at 11 a.m. is a roundtable discussion on the importance and current status of Lake Chapala bird life.
Turn to Ribera Arts (page 20) for a listing of Festival de las Aves cultural events. The day-by-day program is posted at www.corazondelatierra.org.mx. Look for up-to-date details and more information at the festival welcome booths operating Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Chapala and Ajijic waterfront boardwalks.