Conservation Corner

How does the ocean touch you? Ocean life provides most of the oxygen you breathe, and is the #1 source of protein for more than 1 billion people. The ocean regulates our climate worldwide. Here in the Sonoran Desert, evaporation from the Gulf of California provides our much-needed summer rains.

Stingrays are just a small part of the astounding diversity of life in the Gulf of California, a sea in the heart of the Sonoran Desert Region. Let the rays touch you, and learn how the ocean touches our lives every day. Curious how you can become a Guardian of the Gulf? Read the tips below to get started.

• Eat sustainable seafood (just like our rays!). Although rays are not considered quality food items for human consumption, they are often accidentally caught up in commercial fishing operations - many times leading to death or injury of the rays. Not sure what seafood is sustainable? You can find out by using Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch.
• Keep our waters clean! Although you may feel far away from the ocean, trash has to go somewhere. You can help save rays and other important marine life by making sure your trash is disposed far from the ocean.
• Use fewer plastic products! Plastics that end up in our ocean kills tens of thousands of marine animals every year. To limit your impact, use a reusable water bottle, shop with a reusable bag, and recycle whenever possible.