Presa de la Vega’s biodiversity celebrated: The lagoon inches toward cleaner waters and happier otters
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- Published on Friday, 22 February 2013 18:20
- Written by John Pint
University students, teachers and townspeople recently gathered at the Casa de Cultura in Teuchitlán, Jalisco to celebrate World Wetlands Day (February 2) and to learn about the flora and fauna of nearby Laguna La Vega. In addition, they launched a stunning photo exhibit on the lake’s biodiversity by biologist Manfred Meiners.
The charming beauty of this lake, which covers 1,950 hectares, has long been appreciated by the countless people who patronize the popular restaurants on its northern shore. Those heading south from the restaurant zone to take a walk along a two-kilometer andador, will quite likely be amazed at the great variety of water birds they can see on both sides of the narrow isthmus along which the path has been laid out. More adventurous types who have kayaked around the lake have discovered a surprising variety of creatures on its more isolated shores, all of which – in 2010 – resulted in the designation of Presa la Vega as a Ramsar Site, one of more than 2,000 wetlands considered to be of international importance. By the way, if you are thinking of bird watching at this lake, you might want to contact the Jalisco Water Commission to see if you can get a copy of their 12-page booklet “Aves de la Presa de la Vega,” the perfect thing to have with you as you stroll along the andador – and the birds are identified in English, Spanish and Latin. Their telephone is (33) 3030-9200 and their website is www.ceajalisco.gob.mx.