First-Ever Binational Campaign to Save the Gray Whale

First-Ever Binational Campaign to Save the Gray Whale

Latinos Helping Latinos to Protect the Environment

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- TV Azteca, one of the two major broadcast networks in Mexico, and Azteca America, its U.S. Hispanic network, have joined efforts to save the Gray Whale, one of the world's most majestic animals. Together, the networks and their partners in the Laguna San Ignacio Conservation Alliance are organizing the first-ever daylong binational event, called "Movimiento Azteca," which will culminate a month-long fundraising drive to be broadcast simultaneously in Mexico and the United States on March 15, 2007. The objective is to save the Gray Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California Sur, Mexico. With over 106 television stations in North America, their efforts will not go unnoticed.

"Through the endearing images of Gray Whales and their calves interacting with visitors at San Ignacio Lagoon, our goal is to inspire and educate millions of Mexicans and Latinos in the U.S. about the importance of taking action to protect the environment, in particular the Gray Whales, which are shared by three countries -- Mexico, the U.S. and Canada," said Serge Dedina, Executive Director of WiLDCOAST / COSTASALVAjE, one of the organizations of the Alliance.

The Gray Whale is suffering from nutrient depletion due to warming of the Bering Sea, their feeding ground for most of the year. This makes the need to protect the lagoons where Gray Whales mate and give birth even more urgent. San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California Sur is the world's last remaining undeveloped Gray Whale birthing site on the planet.

Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of Azteca America and President and CEO of Fundacion Azteca America, explained, "We have chosen the Gray Whales to launch our binational effort precisely because these marine mammals unite all of North America. Gray Whales are born in Mexico, then migrate through the U.S. and Canada to feed in Alaska, and back again, year in and year out. Azteca America has an unparalleled vehicle to call attention to the needs and interests of the community we serve through the expansion of our network's coverage into 55 U.S. markets (89% of the U.S. territory). Latinos are interested in the environment; Movimiento Azteca's effort is simply our modest way to give back to our people, offering tools for inspiration, education and self-improvement."

"This is the latest chapter in an extraordinary international effort to protect the Gray Whale birthing lagoon at Laguna San Ignacio from industrial development," said Joel Reynolds, the director of Natural Resources Defense Council's Marine Mammal Protection Program. "Whales and their critical habitat are threatened as never before by human encroachment, both in the oceans and on our coastal lands. We fully support Azteca America and its foundation in their efforts to get Latinos involved in the battle to save these magnificent creatures."

Richard Kiy, President of the International Community Foundation, commented that the Alliance would like to engage the mayors of all major cities in Mexico and the U.S. along the Pacific Coast in our efforts to save the Gray Whale. "Elected officials have tremendous reach in their communities to influence local families. It is a great chance for education, outreach, and engagement in cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Tijuana."

Esteban Moctezuma, CEO of Fundacion Azteca, added that the biological diversity in the border region and the habitats Mexico provides for migratory species make this alliance one of special importance to both Mexico and the United States. "The conservation of these shared resources gives us a great opportunity to save global treasures through effective international cooperation and innovative programs." Fundacion Azteca is committed to ensuring the long-term survival of Mexico's biological diversity by protecting the places where native plants and animals can survive for generations to come.

"As Mexicans and local leaders on this project," said Enrique Hambleton, President of Pronatura Noroeste, "we are proud to say that we promote at the same time the protection of whales and natural resources and the protection of ecotourism in Laguna San Ignacio as a sustainable alternative for the local community."

In Mexico, these "Movimiento Aztecas" have raised over US$55 million since 2002, benefiting more than 500,000 people through donations from over four million benefactors. Movimiento Azteca raises money for various causes, including organ transplants, breast cancer screenings, hospital equipment purchases, reforestation projects, food banks, funding for Down Syndrome care, heart surgeries for children, and the protection of sea turtles. The foundation also sponsors a campaign against drug abuse.

TV Azteca, Azteca America and their foundations are partnering with the Laguna San Ignacio Conservation Alliance, an international coalition of conservation organizations that includes the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), WiLDCOAST, International Community Foundation, Pronatura-Noroeste, Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN), Laguna Baja ARIC, Ejido Luis Echeverria Alvarez, and the Mexican Environmental Education Fund (FUNDEA).

The fundraising goal is $500,000.

For additional information and donations, please visit: http://www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org/ and http://www.fundacionazteca.org/ .

About Fundacion Azteca America

Hispanics Helping Hispanics. Fundacion Azteca America is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of the Hispanic community in the U.S. At Fundacion Azteca America, our philosophy is clear and simple: Respect the individual. Give back to society by improving health, nutrition, education and the environment. Empower the Hispanic community. Offer tools for self-improvement rather than charity. And live up to our core values.

About Fundacion Azteca

Fundacion Azteca is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health, nutrition, education and the environment in Mexico.

The philosophy of Fundacion Azteca is to provide society with tools for improvement rather than charity. Since 1997, Fundacion Azteca has touched and improved the lives of millions of Mexicans through its programs. Fundacion Azteca is one of the most-widely recognized non-profit groups in Latin America.

About Azteca America

Azteca America is the fastest-growing Hispanic network in the United States. The network is a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Azteca S.A. de C.V., one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television content in the world. Azteca America currently has presence in 55 markets throughout the United States.

Fundacion Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca, Azteca America and TV Azteca are companies of Grupo Salinas, a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, building the Mexican middle class and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas, Grupo Salinas also includes Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca, Afore Azteca, Seguros Azteca, Iusacell, Unefon and Azteca Internet.

About WiLDCOAST / COSTASALVAjE

WiLDCOAST / COSTASALVAjE protects and preserves coastal ecosystems and wildlife in the Californias and Latin America by building grassroots support, conducting media campaigns and establishing protected areas.

About Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an environmental action group supported by 1.2 million members and activists. Our mission is to safeguard the earth: its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. By fighting in court, working through Congress and mobilizing millions of people worldwide, NRDC has stopped powerful corporate interests from destroying our clean air and water, public lands and wildlife habitats. The NRDC BioGems campaign empowers citizens to take effective online action in defense of our planet's most endangered wild places.

About Pronatura Noroeste

Pronatura, A.C. is a Mexican non-profit environmental conservation organization created in 1981. Pronatura Noroeste is a regional branch of Pronatura that has been working since 1993. Our aim is to conserve and promote the sustainable use of the natural resources for the health and life of northwestern Mexico. We visualize conservation from an ecoregional perspective, with a special emphasis on working with private landowners and ejidos to preserve the important biological resources they manage. Our leadership role in conservation is reflected in 12 high-priority areas of the region.

About the International Community Foundation (ICF)

Established in 1990, ICF's mission is to increase charitable giving and volunteerism across U.S. borders to benefit overseas communities and non- profit organizations. With over 70% of ICF's recent grantmaking benefiting charitable causes along the Baja California peninsula, ICF is connecting people and communities to make a difference. ICF's grantmaking was $3.5 million in 2006.

About the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature

The Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN in Spanish) is a private, non-profit institution that had its origin at the Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro in 1992. In 1994, the FMCN was legally incorporated and the first Board of Directors was formed. Between 1996-2004, FMCN disbursed approximately US$14 million to conservation projects throughout Mexico. Today, FMCN is one of the largest conservation trust funds in the world.

Source: Azteca America and Fundacion Azteca America

CONTACT: Daniel McCosh, Azteca America, +1-323-517-0370, or
dmccosh@aztecaamerica.com; or Fay Crevoshay, WiLDCOAST/COSTASALVAjE,
+1-619-309-5445, or fcrevoshay@costasalavaje.com; or Hamlet Paoletti, NRDC,
+1-310-434-2317, or hpaoletti@nrdc.org; or Anne McEnany, ICF, +1-858-677-2915,
or anne@icfdn.org

Web site: http://www.aztecaamerica.com/
http://www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org/

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