Santos Vazquez has been one of the strongest supporters of the Tufted Jay Preserve since the conservation easement was created and is the official local guide. Born and raised in El Palmito, Santos is a member of the town's Ejido (logging co-op) whose 64 members own the approximately 10,000 acres of forest where the reserve is located. He had spent his entire life working as a lumberman. In the last three years, Santos took a brave life changing decision: to trade in his chainsaw for a set of binoculars and try to make a living from his new found passion. Santos has worked along side the biologists from Pronatura Noroeste monitoring the birds of the Tufted Jay preserve and has learned the scientific names of most of them. He has also worked with Carolyn Felderhof guiding for the birding groups Sendero Mexico has brought to the Preserve. This has allowed him to hone his skills for spotting and identifying birds. A gentle and dedicated family man who is equally at home in the woods he loves, Santos lives in the town of El Palmito with his wife Nardo and their three children.