The reserve provides habitats for nine endangered, threatened or rare bird species, as well as over 180 other species including the whooping crane (Grus Americana), burrowing owl (Athene Cunicularia), white-winged scoter (Melanitta fusca), California gull (Larus californicus), ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis), and piping plovers (Charadrius melodus).

A key research activity undertaken in the area is monitoring of American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) nesting sites.

Ecotourism development over the past decades has encouraged new ways of looking at local habitats and brought new hope to some community enterprises.

The expansion of sustainable tourism activities in tandem with wildlife protection is supported by a vast majority of stakeholders, including representatives of the local communities.

There is also potential for linkages with other biosphere reserves to market products from sustainable resource use, and to educate the general public about conservation practices.