MEET OUR FOUNDER

Christy’s connection to the ocean began as an adult as she made her way to California. There she met her late husband, John, and together they experienced the sea—not as a vast, untouchable force, but as a living system in need of stewardship. Together, they built a trimaran and navigated along the Pacific, eventually reaching the Gulf of California. Often called “the world’s aquarium,” the Gulf of California revealed both stunning biodiversity and alarming threats from overfishing and climate change. Christy realized that sustainable food production and ocean health are deeply interconnected, driving her commitment to regenerative aquaculture in the Gulf of California and beyond.

Christy has long supported ocean conservation, working with Pronatura Noroeste, Comunidad y Biodiversidad, CIBNOR, UABCS, Niparaja, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the NAT, and the University of California research system. Their efforts have established scientific baselines for marine and coastal habitats across the Gulf of California.
Through collaboration with communities, government, and NGOs, Christy helped develop multiple fishing refugios between Loreto and Cabo Pulmo. These protected zones restore biodiversity, replenish fish stocks, and support fisheries. She has also promoted environmental education through field visits, summer camps, and films like Ocean Oasis.
Committed to transforming aquaculture, Christy co-founded Cuna del Mar, pioneering submersible offshore farms, advanced hatcheries, fish tracking, genetics research, and sustainable feed solutions. These farms provide safe zones for wild fish, generate jobs, and ensure a steady seafood supply.
A key Cuna del Mar project, Santomar, is the only finfish farm cultivating Totoaba—an endemic species—alongside red snapper (huachinango). Partnering with CONAPESCA and SEMARNAT, Santomar has released over 200,000 Totoaba, aiding population recovery.
Sol Azul, part of Santomar, farms oysters in the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve and San Ignacio Lagoon. With CIBNOR, it has bred virus- and heat-resistant oysters, ensuring sustainable aquaculture. Santomar also provides oyster seeds, including endemic Crassostrea corteziensis, and aims to expand oyster farming for local economic benefit.
Since 2012, Santomar has employed over 250 people and created more than 500 indirect jobs. In partnership with UABCS, it offers marine biology students hands-on training, fostering the next generation of ocean stewards.

Spending formative years in Oregon, California, and the Mountain West Christy witnessed how land and water were deeply intertwined—how rivers shaped valleys, how ranchers protected pastures, and how drought could alter entire ecosystems. She saw similar struggles across the Baja California peninsula: eroded landscapes, depleting aquifers, and fragile ecosystems under pressure. But she also saw potential—an opportunity to apply her continued scientific interests and her understanding of land and water stewardship to restore Baja’s dryland environments.

Christy has long focused on the intersection of ocean and land in coastal ecosystems. Along with Manuel Arango, A.C., Fundea, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Marisla Foundation, she and John supported the creation of Parque Nacional Archipiélago de Espíritu Santo and the designation of 243 islands in the Gulf of California as a UNESCO World Heritage Sit. She also helped establish protected areas like Bahía de Los Ángeles, Islas Marías, and Playa Balandra to ensure community access to the sea.
To restore the watershed and biodiversity of Sierra Cacachilas, Christy’s team has pioneered erosion control, water retention, holistic livestock management, and regenerative agriculture. Scientists from the United States Geological Survey conduct ongoing research on aquifer recharge and land restoration, reinforcing these conservation efforts with data-driven strategies.
Regenerative practices have also supported sustainable economic growth. Through Rancho Cacachilas, Christy has fostered jobs in quality food production, eco-tourism, and farm-to-table dining. She continues to champion regenerative agriculture, supporting research on resilient crops, soil restoration, and water conservation, ensuring long-term sustainability for local communities and ecosystems.

Christy has always believed that when people feel connected to a place—its history, landscapes, and traditions—they become its fiercest protectors. Her travels reinforced this idea, from the small mountain towns of Wyoming to the coastal villages of Baja California Sur, where she saw how culture and identity were interwoven with nature and community.

A strong advocate for heritage and the arts, Christy has contributed to public spaces in La Paz, including sculptures along the Malecón and the development of parks and gardens. She believes that fostering appreciation for history and the environment cultivates deeper community responsibility.
To honor and revitalize the historic town of El Triunfo, she and her team established Museo Ruta de Plata and MUVACA, preserving its mining legacy and cowboy culture. Since its opening, MUVACA has welcomed nearly 42,000 visitors and engaged over 14,000 youth in educational programs. In 2024 alone, 50% of children aged 6-14 in El Sargento, La Ventana, Los Planes, El Triunfo, and Ancon will participate in STEAM educational activities.
Furthering her commitment to education, Christy helped launch Ecology Project International (EPI) in La Paz, providing high school students with hands-on science and conservation programs.
Her decades of engagement with the San Diego Natural History Museum (The NAT) led to the creation of the Baja Expedition exhibit hall, which includes the Christy Walton Gallery in recognition of her contributions to museum expansion and educational initiatives.

Christy’s passion for building resilient communities stems from the people she has met—farmers, fishermen, artisans, and educators—who exemplify perseverance. She believes that strong communities require access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to sustain long-term well-being.

Beyond her focus on community resilience through her work in ocean vitality, land and water stewardship, and sense of place, Christy has also supported health, emergency relief, and infrastructure projects.
Health and nutritional education have long been a priority for Christy. She donated her family home in National City to Olivewood Gardens, where programs like The Kitchenistas empower families with healthier cooking traditions. The success of the Kitchenistas led to two PBS specials, and notably, the daughter of an early participant later became mayor of National City. In Baja, her partnership with the UC San Diego School of Medicine has enabled advanced medical training, allowing children with cancer to receive chemotherapy treatments in Baja Sur. She also contributed to the creation of Mexico’s second cancer registry.
Through collaborations with Fundación FEMSA, Como Vamos La Paz, and Banamex, Christy supported La Paz’s inclusion in the Inter-American Development Bank’s Emerging Sustainable Cities Initiative. This effort brought new financial resources and data-driven solutions to enhance urban mobility, climate adaptation, water management, and air quality.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, her family foundation, alongside community members, the navy, restaurants, and local businesses, helped feed 94,000 families in Baja California Sur. This effort laid the foundation for new organizations and the first food bank in the region.
Through these initiatives, Christy continues to foster social and economic resilience, ensuring that communities in Baja California Sur remain strong, self-sufficient, and prepared for future challenges.