Pez Maya & the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

These coastal areas form an important link between the inland freshwater lagoons and the Caribbean sea.
© Edward Porter/The Nature Conservancy

Why the Conservancy selected this site
Just 90 miles south of Cancun lies Pez Maya, a postcard-perfect paradise and 64-acre gateway to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve on the Yucatán Peninsula. At 1.6 million acres, Sian Ka'an is Mexico's largest protected coastal wetland, providing refuge for thousands of species of plants and animals.

Pez Maya's two miles of coastline comprise breeding grounds for least tern, osprey, American crocodile, manatee, and loggerhead and green sea turtles. Nourished by inland mangrove swamps, the coastal waters of Pez Maya harbor one of the world's most pristine coral formations and are renowned for their abundance of sport fish such as tarpon, bonefish, snook and permit.

Threats
Over the next five years, the 80-mile swath of development that extends from Cancun to the Mayan ruins at Tulum is projected to almost double its capacity for tourists, adding 15,000 rooms. Pez Maya lies a mere 15 miles south of Tulum and the area is under heavy pressure from local and international developers.

Our Conservation Strategy
For 10 years, The Nature Conservancy has worked with local partner organization Amigos de Sian Ka'an (ASK) to ensure the protection of the reserve. More recently, to address the growing threat of development outside the reserve, the Conservancy and ASK have engaged the private sector, working with local landowners to establish conservation easements and acquire critically threatened, privately owned lands.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
In December 2001, with The Nature Conservancy's support, Amigos de Sian Ka'an purchased Pez Maya. With the purchase of Pez Maya, we initiated "conservation buyer" program to promote sustainable development and protect thousands of acres of this fragile ecosystem along Mexico's Caribbean coast.

In 2005, the Conservancy, together with ASK and the Mexican government’s Commission for Natural Protected Areas, completed a five-year conservation plan for Sian Ka’an and is currently implementing strategic activities identified in this plan. The Conservancy and ASK are also working with local communities in and around the preserve to promote sustainable resource use and best land use and development practices.