CLOUD FOREST CONSERVATION IN THE MOUNTAINS OF MEXICO
In the mountains north of the Puebla State, we can find one of the oldest mexican living indigenous communities from the totonaca culture. Their lifestyles and culture are based in one of the most important and threatened ecosystems, the cloud forest.
The cloud forests provide many environmental services and the species that live within have critical importance, both, culturally and environmentally. However, these forests are very threatened by many factors, that’s why it’s important to bring up mechanisms that conciliate social, economical and environmental issues.
Our strategy
This project works on the local cities of the northern mountains of Puebla: Huehuetla and Olintla. We act by empowering young people living there, so they establish a model that complements the one used by their older generations. This model is sustainable and seeks to improve the economical situation, using an agroforestry technique that boosts the production of coffee, vanilla and other crops, and caring about the Cloud Forest ecosystem. This way, they impulse the creation of a fair market by organizing and selling their own products, and prevent the degradation of the Cloud Forest by not producing damaging crops for the ecosystem like corn, beans, tomato, etc.
Cloud Forests cover just 1 % of Mexico, and they are habitat for 10 % of the species registered in the country.
| Our Actions |
Cloud forests as carbon sinks
These forests represent important natural carbon sinks, therefore, they helo to mitigate global warming. Throughout environmental monitoring, rehabilitation and conservation of these forestry zones, we generate measurable incentives for capturing CO2 as a strategy for combating Climate Change.
Agroforestry production
By establishing communal nuseries, we foster a sustainable vanilla crop production, for introducing it into Cloud Forest spaces, its natural place and origin center. This way, they can sustainably exploit a valuable product and it can help to the economical maintenance of the population.
Training
We promote the capabilities straightening and technical formation for the young population, so they can sustainably produce vanilla crops in agroforestry systems. This helps to promote the establishment of a fair market, where they don’t depend on intermediates, which in turn, increases the value of their products.
| Project Benefits |
Environmental benefits
- Biodiversity conservation of an important ecosystem.
- Reduction of greenhouse gases.
- Forestry ecosystem restoration.
- Conservation of hydric resources.
Community benefits
- Management and development of forestry projects for young people from the totonaca culture.
- Reduce migration to cities and other countries, especially young people.
Your company, group or organization can contribute. Contact us to know more about our programs features.
