February was a busy month for the Loreto Pride team, and one in which the campaign embarked on a series of public outreach activities that will be repeated for the remaining five months of the campaign.

With help from many of her colleagues at the park and from her ever-growing group of volunteers, Perla and her team began painting murals in key locations around town. The murals help to elevate the profile of the campaign, using the logo and the chocolate clam mascot, while delivering messages to promote sustainable fisheries. Three murals have been painted, the first on one of the main streets in Loreto, the malecón (or boardwalk), where most Loretanos pass frequently. The mural is strategically located in front of the pier, where fishers keep their boats. The other two are in the soccer and baseball stadiums, allowing the campaign to reach a larger audience of Loretanos, who might not otherwise attend one of the public events. And soon to come are murals in the community of Ligüi, and an enormous block-long mural to be painted along the main street in town.

Painting these murals also helped to form a strong bond between the park staff, other campaign team members and volunteers. Everyone had a blast, many park staff turned out to help, and the results are something the group can all feel proud of. Apolinar made sure there were enough snacks and beverages on hand to keep the group fueled up for the late-night painting sessions. Check out the photos taken by Ralph Lee Hopkins.

At the same time, Perla and the team kicked off the monthly visits to each of the neighborhoods in Loreto and the two fishing communities just south. The road show consists of participatory activities which teach the general public about specific actions they can take to support sustainable fisheries, using the campaign songs, the chocolate clam mascot, and prizes to provide fun for the whole family. After the sixth visit, the team had smoothed out the kinks and become a well-oiled machine, and participation from the public grew. Next week the second round of visits will start, this time with the puppet theater as an added attraction.

We had the good fortune to have conservation photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins join us to document both of these activities. Enjoy the attached photos.