The Fundación Hermandad en Armonía, A.C. met with environmental organizations in Baja California Sur on May 30 to defend a controversial project in the Sierra de la Laguna biosphere reserve, insisting its intentions are conservation, not commercial development. The foundation sought to address growing doubts from local groups who have challenged the initiative for months.
The meeting comes after sustained pushback from activists and scientists. The Citizen Front in Defense of Water and Life (Freciudav) held a press conference in La Paz earlier this year warning that the foundation’s project could open the door to harmful activity inside the protected mountain range. Freciudav called on the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) to deny authorization to the foundation.
Exotic Species Plan Draws Criticism
The foundation submitted an Environmental Impact Statement seeking approval to build a conservation and reproduction center for exotic species on a 90-hectare portion of the San Miguelito property, located below the reserve boundary. However, activists say the foundation also acquired the Nuestra Señora del Rosario property inside the biosphere reserve, where it plans to introduce bighorn sheep and pronghorn. Critics point out these species have never inhabited the Sierra de la Laguna.
Jorge del Ángel Rodríguez, president of the South Baja California Academic Collective, has said relocating non-native species into the reserve poses a direct threat to its biodiversity. The foundation’s leadership reportedly includes individuals linked to the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM), adding a political dimension to the dispute.
Water Supply at Stake
The stakes extend beyond biodiversity. More than 60 percent of Baja California Sur’s population depends on water originating in the Sierra de la Laguna. In May, the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) local director Julio César Villarreal Trasviña called the range the “hydraulic heart” of the state, saying its preservation is a matter of survival. CONAGUA’s position is that any groundwater access in the reserve is extremely limited, making large-scale development technically and legally unfeasible.
Baja California Sur Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío rejected any tourism development in the Sierra de la Laguna in August 2025, calling the range “heritage.” The reserve, designated by UNESCO, sits between the La Paz and Los Cabos corridors and contains 35 private properties and six ejidos within its boundaries.
The foundation’s claims that no real estate or commercial activity is planned have not satisfied critics, who say the combination of property acquisitions and species introduction plans tells a different story. Semarnat has not publicly announced a decision on the Environmental Impact Statement.
This story was first reported by Noticias La Paz.