The Regeneration Plan — Flourish Trust

Master plan for the regeneration of the Añuiti Estuary

Legend

Pedestrian & vehicle access
Vehicle/bicycle parking
Bike lane
Malecón “Paseo Añuití”
Floating walkway
Natural trails
Palm corridor (running loop)
Palm corridor (walking loop)
Beach pedestrian path
Contemplative pedestrian path
Pedestrian bridge
Añuití Pavilion
Estuary Plaza
Service watercraft launch
Contemplative viewpoints
Arborism (canopy play)
Playground
Foro Añuití
Interactive nursery & native garden
Dune vegetation
Pergolas & rest areas
Disaster-reduction infrastructure
Restricted scientific & firebreak trail

A system-wide initiative

Watershed → Aquifer → Estuary

The restoration works upstream to downstream. Each intervention strengthens the next.

Watershed

Reforestation of degraded upstream slopes slows runoff and reduces erosion. Less sediment reaches the estuary. More rainfall infiltrates into the ground, recharging the aquifer instead of running off to sea.

Aquifer

The San José del Cabo aquifer has been overextracted by 3.4x since 1985. Removing invasive salt cedar — which consumes massive volumes of groundwater — and restoring native riparian vegetation improves natural recharge and reduces water loss.

Estuary

The estuary is the terminal expression of the entire system. Dredging accumulated sediment restores the water mirror. Clearing invasive water hyacinth reopens habitat. A healthy estuary means a functioning watershed, a recharging aquifer, and water security for the city.

Scientific endorsement

Two years of technical assessment by four research institutions. The restoration plan was endorsed by the Scientific Sub-council in May 2025.

The 429-page Management Program was ratified into municipal law by the City Council of Los Cabos in October 2025.

Collaborators

Institutional partners and scientific advisors

Governance bodies

XV Los Cabos City Council
2024–2027

Advisory Council
REESJC

In permanent advisory consultation with the Academic and Scientific Subcommittee, composed of:

Scientific & Technical Partners

Autonomous University
of Baja California Sur

Interdisciplinary Center
of Marine Sciences

Center for Scientific Research
& Higher Education of Ensenada

Northwest Center for
Biological Research

Pronatura Noroeste
Conservation NGO

The Advisory Council of the San José del Cabo Estuary State Ecological Reserve (REESJC) unanimously approved the 2025–2030 Regeneration Plan, with the joint vote of the Los Cabos City Council, SEMARNAT, CONAGUA, the Government of the State of Baja California Sur, UABCS, civil society organizations, neighboring residents, and FONATUR.

December 11, 2025

Institutional approval chain

Ongoing

MAZATL / CIPACTLI

Technical documents (environmental consultancies)

May 2025

Subconsejo Científico

Endorsed plan (Scientific Sub-council)

Sep 2025

Consejo Asesor

Approved Management Program (Advisory Council)

Oct 2025

H. Cabildo de Los Cabos

Ratified into law (City Council of Los Cabos)

Pending

CONAGUA / SEMARNAT

Federal permits (National Water Commission / Environment Ministry)

Phased approach

Phase 1 — Funded

$411,620

Institutional foundation and design initiative. 6 months.

Phase 2 — The Ask

Year 1 restoration + first observation structure

12 months. December 2026 artist reveal.

Phase 3

Years 2-5

Sustained restoration, ~$1.7M/year.

Governance

No single actor — government, landowner, NGO, or funder — controls the initiative. A nested governance model coordinates federal, state, and municipal jurisdictions within a single operational framework, modeled on the organizational structure of Pronatura, Mexico's leading conservation organization. Financial oversight by PwC audit.