Chis Pesenti of ProPeninsula and Ric of WhaleTails

Pictured to the left is Chris Pesenti of Pro Peninsula accepting the generous donation from Ric Kraszewski co-founder of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. Chris of Pro Peninsula sits on the board of directors of Solis's Magdalena Baykeeper program in Baja California, Mexico. Chris was instrumental in putting Julio Solis and Whale Tails Tortilla Chips together. Rick Grant, “the other Rick,” put the word out to the Whale Tails Advisory board (made up of scientists, researchers, teachers, conservationists, retailers and customers) asking for suggestions on what individual or group should be considered for the first ten percent. After reviewing all the suggestions, the decision to go with Julio Solis seemed to be the best fit.

Julio Solis's Magdalena Baykeeper (Vigilante de Bahía Magdalena) group has been around for over a year now, just a little longer than Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. Chris Pesenti says “I have been truly impressed with their works. Julio Solís is a longtime fisher and resident of Puerto San Carlos. He started the organization to confront the water pollution issues in Magdalena Bay. Magdalena Bay comprises one of the most important wetland ecosystems on the Pacific coast of North America. The bay provides shelter for Pacific Gray Whales to rear their young before making the long journey north to the Bering Sea. Julio Solis can definitely make a lot happen with a little bit of money. Paying for the gas that goes in the panga boats, so the group can go out and do their monthly water quality surveys would make a huge difference. The current cost of fuel is so expensive that lack of funding could literally stop this effort.”

Julio Solis Dir Vigilante de Bahia Magalena

Rick Grant, who has spent many years surfing and traveling in Baja Mexico, put it this way. “We told everyone we wanted to give this first ten percent to someone who has struggled to get their conservation effort off the ground, just like we have had to do with Whale Tails Tortilla Chips. We were able to relate to Julio's request and then make it happen. Its the same type of help Whale Tails Tortilla Chips has received from retailers like Whole Foods Southern California, Whole Foods Washington, Jimbo's Markets of San Diego, the Birch and Monterey aquariums and small delicatessen markets like Pelly's Cafe in Carlsbad, Olive Tree Market in Pt. Loma and Peoples Organic Food Store in Ocean Beach.” Ric Kraszewski of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips said that “Chris met us when we had a prototype and a dream. He has watched both us and Julio grow and I feel grateful that he put us together.” Chris Pesenti's group Pro Peninsula will act as a “pass through” organization. That would mean that a US organization receives the money and passes it on to the Mexican group. Chris Pesenti said, after receiving the donation, “both Whale Tails Tortilla Chips and Magadalena Baykeepers started with a desire to preserve our marine environment and I can't think of a better place to join together in that effort than 'Mag Bay' the birthplace of our California Grey Whale.”

To find out more about Julio Solis and Chris Pesenti you can visit their website: Pro Peninsula.org