The Mexican Wind Energy Association projects the country’s wind power potential to be around 30 GW.

The region best suited for wind development is the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca. GWEC estimates that 10 GW of wind energy could be developed in the region, despite challenging wind and seismic conditions. Currently, 1.9 GW is under construction in Mexico and scheduled to come online by 2015.

Investment in wind power increased 68% between 2010 and 2011 and in 2012, Mexico’s installed capacity of wind power reached 1 GW, 2% of the national energy installed capacity, compared to the 519 MW of 2010. The wind sector is expected to duplicate by 2013 which in turn will generate between 30 thousand to 100 thousand jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 10%.

According to Mauricio Trujillo, Project Manager in Latin America of the Global Wind Energy Council, at today Mexico’s wind power sector is at the point where the Asian wind power sector was five years ago. This implies that Mexico is at the start of a very steep growth curve and can expect great advancements in the coming years.

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LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, has become the industry standard for rating green buildings.  Four different classifications of LEED certification exist:  certified, silver, gold and platinum.  In order to get certified, builders must comply with the minimum program requirements, fill out the appropriate paperwork, and undergo a rigorous third-party review.  Classifications depend on how a project is scored in five main categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.       

According to BusinessWeek, in 2007 there were only 2 LEED certified buildings in all of Latin America and one of them was in Mexico.  Since then, Mexico has made great strides in the area of green building and now has over 15 LEED certified buildings, with many more in the certification process pipeline.  Mexico has the 2nd most LEED certified buildings in Latin America after Brazil.  Due to the increased interest in sustainable building, the Mexico Green Building Council (Consejo Mexicano de Edificación Sustentable, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2005.  The Council seeks to promote green building in Mexico through education and professional development.  

VIA Corporativo, located in Tijuana’s prestigious Zona Rio, was Northwest Mexico’s first certified green building and is home to the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation.  It is the only LEED Gold certified building outside of Mexico City.  The 14 story building has unique features, like a stunning air and light chamber, which helps contribute to a 40% electric energy savings and allows natural light to flow through the building.  Water conservation is a key element of VIA Corporativo, and the building boasts an impressive 60% savings compared to conventional buildings as well as a rainwater collector.  Misión 19, one of Tijuana’s most talked about restaurants, also calls VIA Corporativo home.  The building was a natural fit for the restaurant, as Misión 19 prides itself on its farm-to-table menu and green practices.  

The HSBC building, which stands tall among Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma, is the first building in Latin America to receive the prestigious LEED Gold certification.  The building has a roof garden, which overlooks one of Mexico City’s cherished landmarks, the Angel de la Independencia.  Not only is the roof garden nice to look at, but it also helps to reduce storm water runoff and filters pollutants.   In addition to the roof garden, the building also makes use of intelligent lighting systems and has several water treatment features.  People who work in the building can also take advantage of the ground level bike racks, which are great for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint.  Not only has the building been recognized for its beautiful exterior, but in 2007 it was awarded the top interior design award by the Mexican Interior Design Association.

Not far from the HSBC building on Paseo de la Reforma, stands one of Mexico’s tallest and greenest buildings, the Torre Mayor.  Home to multinational corporations like Deloitte, British American Tobacco, Hewlett Packard, and McKinsey & Company, the Torre Mayor is a 52 story architectural masterpiece officially inaugurated in March 2003.  From the lightning fast elevators to one of the most well-equipped helipads in the region, the building is a sight to be seen and to this day is considered the tallest building in Latin America.  The double paned glass materials used on the outside of the building block out noise and harmful UV rays, while letting in 60% more natural light than standard glass.  The hermetically sealed air chambers prevent dust, odors, and germs from permeating the office space.  

Mexico’s first LEED Platinum building is the Bioconstruccion y Energia Alternativa Headquarters, located in Garza Garcia, on the outskirts of Monterrey.  The 5,000-square-foot office building has a saw edged roof that allows natural light to flow in, while still maintaining a beautiful design.  

Sustainable building is no longer just for big corporate projects.  Many of Mexico’s developers, like Casas GEO, are bringing the green movement to the masses, by incorporating environmentally friendly practices into their master planned low income communities.  Residents of the communities can enjoy parks, running/biking trails, as well as the “ecotechnology” features in each home.  Cemex is another company that is at the forefront of Mexico’s green movement.  In 2010, Cemex reduced its reliance on fossil fuels and developed projects which allowed it to sell more carbon credits.  The company has not only taken action at their corporate headquarters in Mexico, but also at their foreign subsidiaries.  

Corporations, citizens, and builders in Mexico are waking up to the fact that our precious natural resources are limited.  As sustainable building becomes less of a developing trend and more mainstream, we are sure to see even more LEED certified buildings and sustainable practices in Mexico.  

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The non-profit organization ProNatura Veracruz has set up two counting stations to monitor the raptors along this major North American migratory route. One station is in Cardel on the roof of the Hotel Bienvenido, and the other is at a Bird Observatory in Chichicaxtle. At these stations, trained counters monitor the populations of various raptor species, so they can keep track of the raptor migration over the long term.

I visited the ProNatura Bird Observatory in Chichicaxtle as part of a fam trip that was held for travel industry professionals and media who were attending ATMEX in September 2012. Adventure Travel Mexico, an adventure travel fair featuring Mexico’s top adventure travel tour operators and destinations, was held at the World Trade Center in Boca del Río, Veracruz from September 5 to 9, 2012. I joined a group who took a three day adventure with in the days prior to the fair. On our way north to the Mexico Verde adventure resort in Jalcomulco, we stopped in Chichicaxtle to visit the observatory. Unfortunately, we didn't see many birds that day, since it was a few weeks before the peak migration time. We did learn a lot about the project and the raptor migration, however.

More than 5 million hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures pass through this migration corridor each year on their journey from their breeding areas in the north to their wintering grounds in the south. The birds concentrate in this area because of the topography. Flying south from Texas, they follow the Sierra Madre mountain chain, and then are funneled between the Neovolcanic Axis and the Gulf of Mexico, sticking to the lowlands. Broad-winged Hawks and Turkey Vultures make up the greatest proportion of birds that cross here, but there are also Swainson's Hawks and Mississippi Kites in great numbers. Other raptors that migrate across Veracruz are the American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk and Peregrine Falcon. Besides raptors, there is also a large number of aquatic birds, as well as butterflies and dragonflies who migrate through here.

Interestingly, the ritual ceremony of the Voladores, acknowledged by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, originated in this area. The ceremony consists of five men (called "fliers" or "bird men") who climb a very tall pole. Four of them each wind a rope around one of their legs and then launch themselves off the pole. Suspended upside-down, they circle around and down, as the flier who remains above plays a tune on a flute. The circling of the pole mimics the circular flying pattern of the great raptors, who fly in a spiral in solar-heated thermal currents which lift them to higher altitudes, so they can soar farther while expending less energy. 

Clearly this migration was considered important in ancient times. Nowadays, keeping track of the numbers of birds that pass through here annually allows conservationists to monitor their well being, and prioritize conservation efforts on critical habitats. 

A few days after our visit to the observatory in Chichicaxtle, we were driving back south through the area. When we made a pit stop at a convenience store beside the highway, I happened to look up and see a multitude of raptors flying in a vortex. Our whole group stopped to gaze up at the sky for several minutes. The sheer abundance of wildlife in motion is an amazing phenomenon to witness. 

The ProNatura Bird Observatory in Chichicaxtle, Veracruz is open from 10 am to 7 pm every day between August 20th and November 20th. The migration reaches its peak during the last week of September and the first week of October. More information from their website:

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Locals living on the Yucatan Peninsula can experience these private flamingo viewings on a regular basis, but where can a traveler easily go to see these brightly-colored creatures? A few small eco travel destinations are ideal for viewing Yucatan flamingos, and they also offer an unforgettable escape from the hustle and bustle of larger beach destinations like Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Río Lagartos 

Travelers staying in Merida, Cancun and the Riviera Maya will find themselves just three or four hours from Rio Lagartos, situated on the northeastern coast of Yucatan State. Buses, taxis, tours and vans are available, although renting a car and driving is also a safe, easy and affordable option.

The Rio Lagartos Bio Reserve covers nearly 150,000 acres, boasting Mexico's largest flamingo population. Incredible Yucatan wildlife abounds throughout the reserve, with hundreds of bird species and turtles nesting along the coasts. The town of Rio Lagartos offers a few small restaurants and hotels run by locals, as well as a landmark lighthouse. Just make sure to bring lots of cash: Rio Lagartos does not have an ATM.

Three-hour boat tours will take you through a beautiful river running along the coast (known locally as a ría) lined with dense mangrove and home to hundreds of animal species. Guides take passengers out to the flamingos' feeding grounds, and you just might see crocodiles and all kinds of native birds along the way! The flamingo population in Río Lagartos swells during nesting season in spring and summer, although flamingos can be seen throughout the year. Viewing the flamingos is a truly unforgettable experience, especially if you're lucky enough to see them take flight.

Many Río Lagartos tours also include additional activities such as mud baths, kayaking, biking and swimming in freshwater pools, as well as a stop at the breathtaking Ek Balam Mayan ruins, located further inland on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Celestún

Experience the Yucatan's incredible ecosystem with a visit to Celestún, another flamingo-watching destination about 50 miles west of Merida by highway. Buses are available and day trips from the city are easy to do, although the town offers several small hotels for overnight stays or a weekend getaway. This quiet fishing village features beautiful beaches, shops, a harbor and a few laid-back seafood restaurants for a casual meal.

Set on an immense 150,000 acres right on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Celestún Biosphere Reserve is filled with mangrove and wetlands that are home to flamingos, pelicans and hundreds of other bird species, as well as endangered sea turtles.

Boats are available for hire at the entrance to Celestún, taking you on two hour tours through mangrove jungle filled with bird species. The flamingo population in Celestún rises during the fall and winter months as it's a popular area for courting before heading back to Río Lagarto for nesting in the spring and summer.

About Yucatan's Flamingos

Favoring the coastal wetlands of northern Yucatan, local flamingos have a beautiful salmon pink color that makes for unbelievable photo opportunities. They feed on shrimp, algae and minerals found in the shallow waters, giving them their unique tone. These social birds typically reside in colonies that can range from dozens to thousands of flamingos.

Because of the flamingos' natural beauty and vibrant color, it's tempting to try and get close to the animal for a better view or the perfect photo. However, flamingos can become stressed when approached by humans. It's recommended that boats maintain at least 100 yards distance when their motors are running, or 50 yards if they are "poling" through the water gondola-style. Bringing a lot a set of binoculars and preferably a camera with a zoom lens is recommended for the best possible flamingo watching experience when traveling through the Yucatan Peninsula.

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