The Schuk Toak Visitors Center at the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Pinacate and Desert of Altar Biosphere Reserve will soon be celebrating its 5th anniversary, complete with art exhibitions, book presentations, stargazing, hikes, guided tours and more. The week’s wealth of activities, beginning March 21st, will culminate on March 28th with a gala evening at the Visitors Center.
Just in time to mark this 5th anniversary celebration, on March 4th Schuk Toak received official certification and accreditation as an Environmental Education and Cultural Center by the Center of Education and Sustainable Development Training (CECADESU) of the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).
In a press release, Reserve Director Federico Godinez Leal expressed this accreditation implies providing better quality for visitors to the Center to ensure their visit to Schuk Toak is both a unique and completely unforgettable experience. He added this will also strengthen staff training.
León Cañez Cota, Museum Coordinator, mentioned one of the reasons the Schuk Toak Visitors Center received accreditation is precisely its own environmental considerations. He highlighted the building’s air-conditioning is provided through solar panels, which supply electricity to the building. This, in addition to providing adequate infrastructure to receive visitors with quality attention, also mitigates the building’s environmental footprint as it releases zero emissions.
Another aspect that contributed to Schuk Toak’s accreditation as an Environmental and Cultural Center is work they have done with communities and support that has been provided to foster conservation projects within the Natural Protected Area. The Visitors Center also offers environmental education programs that entail visiting schools as well as events related with the environment, among other activities.
The Schuk Toak Visitor’s Center, located at KM 72 just north of Puerto Peñasco, has the ability to receive up to 180,000 visitors annually.
Get to know the Schuk Toak Visitors Center of the Pinacate and Grand Desert of Altar Biosphere Reserve – and celebrate its 5th Anniversary!
Open daily throughout the year 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. pinacate@conanp.gob.mx (638) 108-0011