This series of workshops are being offered by Pro Esteros, a Mexican NGO that has been working since 1988 in Ensenada. Their purpose is to protect wetlands and sensitive habitats on the Baja California Peninsula and northwestern Mexico. The classes are operated as a partnership between Pro Esteros,
The Ocean Foundation, Forde Biological, and Ryan Ecological Consulting.

All workshops will focus on identifying the target species, with comparisons of similar species that may be found in the same areas during surveys. Daily field trips and afternoon classes will cover and practice the established survey protocols and knowledge of its natural history. We will also cover the basics of the State and Federal laws protecting it and the process of applying for needed permits.

The workshop’s main focus will be getting participants’ experience conducting surveys with permitted professionals in occupied habitats and exposing them to various situations as they arise in the field. At the end of the workshop, we expect the participant to be able to proficiently identify the target species by sight and sound, evaluate habitat suitability for the species, identify behavioral signs of nesting, identify potentially occupied nest sites, and the nest and eggs. Classes will be taught in English, but we will have local Spanish-speaking participants working with us and will be translating. Each student will be expected to write an example USFWS 45-day survey report.

We should also be clear that we (or any other workshop operator) cannot guarantee that you will be declared a qualified observer or obtain a permit from USFWS and CDFW, but it will help the student progress in that process. If you are interested in obtaining a permit, please contact your state/regional agency permitting representatives.

• Least Bell’s Vireo Workshop June 7-13, 2025, cost: $1,200.00, location: Rancho Meling, B.C.,
  Instructors: Andrew Forde and Thomas Ryan
• Western Snowy Plover Nest Survey Workshop, June 13-16, 2025, cost: $750.00, location:
  Ensenada, B.C., Instructors: Thomas Ryan and Liliana Ortiz
• Yellow-billed Cuckoo Workshop June 21-28, 2025, cost: $1,600.00, location: Rancho El Aribabi,
  Sonora, Instructor: Andrew Forde
• Burrowing Owl Breeding Season Workshop July 5-9, 2025, cost: $1000.00, location: Ensenada,
  B.C., Instructors: Andrew Forde and Thomas Ryan
• Burrowing Owl Winter Workshop Dec 6-10, 2025, cost: $1000.00, location: Ensenada, B.C.,
  Instructors: Andrew Forde and Thomas Ryan

Information packages are available for all classes and provide more details about the itinerary and location. Please contact either Thomas Ryan (tryanbio@gmail.com) or Andrew Forde (andrew@fordebio.com) for more information.

TO SIGN UP:
1) Click on THE OCEAN FOUNDATION button below
2) On The Ocean Foundation – Pro Esteros page, click on the “DONATE” button.
3) On the Donate to Pro Esteros page fill out the Payment Information Form.
VERY IMPORTANT: in the comments section, include which workshop you are signing up for and
which dates!. Then, click on the “Enter Donation in $US” and the course fee, $750, $1000,
$1200, $1600, click “One Time,” I’m not a robot, and “Donate Now.”
4) Send an Email to direccion@proesteros.org, to let us know you have completed your
enrollment.