Freshwater Conservation Program:

A geo-hydrologic study permits ASK to assess and evaluate the water flow throughout the state of Quintana Roo.

The aim of these studies is to document the quality and availability of underground water in the state, as well as to describe the biodiversity of both underground and surface rivers. In order to determine conservation actions for the protection of the freshwater basin in the Yucatan Peninsula, ASK is discovering the exact location and number of underground rivers and flooded caves that integrate de most extensive hydrologic system in the world.  Having this information, ASK works to raise awareness on all levels of society about water pollution; to establish economic mechanisms that would facilitate the development of technologies concerned with water treatment; and, to strengthen or reform existing Mexican policies regarding wastewater on a municipal, state, and federal levels.

Marine Conservation Program: The projects regarding the ocean and costal areas consist of a series of sustainable measures to manage fishing resources and of protecting natural marine areas from impacts produced by water pollution, tourism and urban development.  Having the second most extensive coral reef near the Yucatan Peninsula, ASK has a monitoring network that allows the implementation of conservation processes to guaranty the wellness of the Mesoamerican Reef System.

Amigos of Sian Ka’an will give continuity to existing projects and will push for the development of new ones, such as: marine characterizations and assessments, establishment of new natural protected areas and the promotion of regulation programs for the preservation of the flora and fauna species in Quintana Roo

In addition, this GIS lab has been of great help to other institutions since ASK has made much of its database available for consultation. It has led to concrete actions in benefit of protected areas, solved land tenancy and land use problems, helped to protect forests by locating wildfires; and finally, widened the knowledge on the distribution of natural resources, just to name a few.

Land Conservation Program: The program consists of a number of projects concerned with the sustainable handling and management of flora and fauna, by the implementation of conservation actions for the ecosystems (jungles, estuaries, costal dunes, etc.), analysis of land use throughout Yucatan Peninsula (the states of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, as well as in Guatemala and Belize), and the protection and monitoring of endangered species.

Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Iniciative MARTI: This particular initiative works closely with the tourism sector (hotels, cruise lines, amusement parks, and acquatic recreational services), as well as with the government of Quintana Roo, in order to carry out best practices and environmental business management that promote the conservation of the fragile ecosystems. Through innovative practices, ASK tries to minimize the negative impact that tourism and urban development might have in the area.

Due to the success of the initiative, the initiative has grown up to 126 member hotels in the Riviera Maya, and is planning to cover Cancun and Cozumel very soon.

Within the Land Conservation Program a series of social initiatives and community projects are directed towards the preservation of the cultural identity and natural resources, as well as providing the necessary environmental education and training to Mayan cooperatives in the Mayan Zone near Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve for the development of ecotourism and sustainable production.