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Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda www.sierragorda.net enter in English or Spanish! Hear the two-part BBC report on the Sierra Gorda Biosphere reserve!
"Sierra Gorda I: An
Environmentally Connected World" and "Sierra Gorda II: Keeping Jobs in Mexico" http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/14559 GESG in Texas (they've already been here, but good background information on GESG) One of the world leaders in community-wide environmental practices will have representatives (including founder Pati Ruiz, and her son, their main biologist, Roberto Pedraza) at the International Partners in Flight meeting in McAllen, February 14-16, 2008. They will be speaking and have an exhibit at the Partners in Flight meeting. We helped set up a Gallery event at our Partner Store, Quinta Mazatlan, where they will be showing artwork by Dana Gardner. These paintings are being used in the Birds of the Sierra Gorda guide they will be publishing. We are also arranging their visit to the Austin area to promote ecotourism, their community artesanias project and educational exchanges. Please email Sandy for more information. From their website and newsletters:
“BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN THE BIOSPHERE OF THE SIERRA GORDA RESERVE” QUARTERLY BULLETIN April-May-June 2004
Special announcement: In a ceremony held at the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda I.A.P. received the Reason to Be Prize (Razón de Ser) on July 29th along with Enlace, Comunicación y Capacitación, A.C. and the Fundación del Empresariado Chihuahuense, A.C. The prize is given to institutions that as a result of daily activities, outstanding commitment and professionalism, provide a holistic service of great social impact to the beneficiaries. · The International Network of Non-Profit Organizations and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) held a meeting in April at the World Bank, Washington DC. The full-size project “Protection of the Biodiversity in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve” was presented as a case study to members of the network and GEF recognizing the need for multi-sector coordination, and citing the strategy of co-management between the Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda (GESG) and the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve (SGBR). GEF projects operated by NGOs in Latin America and the rest of the world shared lessons learned and lobbied for a voice within GEF Council sessions. · On the 8 of April in Washington DC, the prestigious organization Forest Trends held its Board of Directors meeting, to which different groups such as Rainforest Action Network, World Bank, Greenpeace and international corporations like Mitsubishi attended. During this event, Martha Isabel Ruiz Corzo was chosen as a member of the Board of Directors. This constitutes a significant recognition of her experience in social participation, the regeneration and protection of forests and natural resources and the implementation of payments for environmental services in the Sierra Gorda rural mountain conditions. · As part of the expansion of the geographical area of work of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in central Mexico, Rosario Àlvarez, the director of the TNC in Mexico, made a visit to the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. During her visit, she observed our activities, especially the Administration of Land for Conservation Program, which has been very effective in ensuring protection through the purchase of 453 hectares of cloud forest and pine-oak forest therefore ensuring the conservation of habitats for a variety of species of threatened endemic flora and fauna. · In June, a meeting of the subcommittee of Environmental Education of the Advisory Council of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve was held in the presence of Prof. Ernesto Becerra, representing the USEBEQ (State Education Secretariat). In an effort to guarantee sustainability and permanence in the long term, GESG seeks to transfer the Environmental Education program to the schools by directly training teachers. With this project, the GESGIAP would save considerable resources and expand the geographical reach of the program significantly. Ecology and related themes would therefore be integrated in school curriculum. The response of the educational authority was very positive, expressing awareness of the extensive social-environmental effect of Environmental Education. · The first “Environmental Songs” competition was held on the 4th of June in the municipal auditorium of Jalpan de Serra, in which 333 schools participated. Lots of musical styles were used, (from traditional “Huapango” to rap) with subjects provided by the Director of Forest Culture of the National Forest Commission, institution that also provided the prizes. The event was met with considerable interest, particularly standing out the ingenuity of the costumes and the instructions of their teachers. · To celebrate the 5th of June, World Environment Day, the traditional Earth Festivals of the Sierra Gorda, in their 12th year, were held in 26 rural communities, which 4,000 children from 81 schools attended. In similar fashion to previous years, these events were attended by teachers, authorities, children and parents. The women prepared typical dishes and foods in addition to presented poems, some of which were written for the occasion. We thank everyone involved for their enthusiasm and interest, their help was invaluable in these festivals. · As a complementary activity to the celebration of the World Environment day, the First Plastic Marathon was held in the center of Jalpan de Serra. This event was organized by the EcoClub of Jalpan and involved students from various schools to collect bottles and containers of PET plastic. The parents of the students actively participated and the event rounded up a grand total of approximately 50,000 bottles. The winner managed to collect 1,900 bottles and won a bicycle. The outstanding participation produced both good environmental results and family-wide activity that motivates the recycling initiative in the city of Jalpan. · A report of the project “Conservation of the Biodiversity in The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve” was presented to the people of Jalpan on the 11 of June in the Historical Museum of the Sierra Gorda by Martha Isabel Ruiz Corzo to a diverse audience of local citizens. The inauguration of the exhibition space for environmental interpretation of the Biosphere Reserve begins with a temporary exhibition called “The Orchids of the Sierra Gorda” by graphic designer Jorán Martínez and demonstrates the variety of species and the beauty of this particular plant family. Thanks to the good will and cooperation of the Prof. Junipero Cabrera, the director of the museum and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the GESG. · The “Roberto Ruiz Obregón” Training Center for Sustainability is in the first phase of construction on the property donated by the Roberto Ruiz Obregón Foundation of Queretaro City. The second phase will be sponsored by Nacional Monte de Piedad, I.A.P. and the new facilities will be finished with resources from the GEF project “Conservation of the Biodiversity of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve.” This center will be key to the training of various sectors of the population in the region and beyond, as well as provide the adequate spaces and facilities for equipment and operation of the GEF project local partners.
BIOSPHERE OF THE SIERRA GORDA RESERVE” QUARTERLY BULLETIN Winter 2004
· In the heart of the Sierra Gorda, the Jalpan dam joins the list of worldwide important wetlands registered in the RAMSAR Convention along with 32 other sites in Mexico on February 2, 2004. The name of this convention corresponds to the Iranian city where the intergovernmental treaty was signed on February 2nd, 1972. Mexico became a member in 1978 with the purpose of achieving a rational use of wetlands of international importance as habitat for aquatic birds. 49 sites are registered with a total of 4,073,771 hectares hosting natural ecosystems, mangroves, swamps, tideland, lagoons and beaches as well as artificial humid soils such as the Jalpan dam. With this figure, Mexico becomes the third country with the highest number of areas registered in this treaty, confirming its commitment for the protection of one of the ecosystems with the highest conservation value in addition to the important environmental services that wetlands provide. The Jalpan dam performs an important function as site of refuge and nesting for 33 species of both resident and migratory aquatic birds, among which there are herons, bald coots, ducks, ibis, dabchicks, martinets, ospreys, an important colony of cormorants and, during the winter months, it hosts some individuals of the two species of pelicans present in Mexico. Additionally, in the outskirts of the dam there are at least 140 species of land birds of which 8 count with protection status and 5 are endemic, or exclusively found in Mexico. · As part of the Productive Diversification Program the beekeeping activities carried out by the local producers in the Reserve got a great push ahead with the advisory services of the expert Professor Angel Aleman from the Autonomous University of Queretaro, who has been assisting several communities. This activity has very high potential in the region due to the floristic wealth of its vegetation, the environmentally-friendly nature of the process and these products are in high demand with a good price in the market. Contacts have been established with the Apicultural Association of Queretaro A.C. who will collaborate with training and commercialization of the products. · Research and evaluation of environmental impact activities carried out over the biotic and abiotic resources of the Sierra Gorda. From March 4 to the 9th, Dr. Pal Gyarmati, from the Geological Service of Hungary and Dr. Csaba Centeri from the Institute of Environmental Management of the University of Szent Istvan , Hungary, visited the Biosphere Reserve and focused their activities on the evaluation of the erosive processes on the Jalpan river basin, in particular on the outskirts of San Pedro Escanela. This objective analysis of the environment impact resulting from the construction of public works covers not only the environmental resources but also the collateral effects they have on the environmental services they provide. The visitors will also contribute an important diagnosis concerning the geological justification for the study in process to propose the Sótano de Barro (Mud Sinkhole) as World Natural Heritage, UNESCO. · The First Regional Forum on Water was held the 26 and 27 of February 2004, with the participation of 50 students and five professors from seven secondary schools from each county within the Reserve. The students actively participated with presentations of five principal themes: The Forest and Recharge of Aquifers, sinkholes and water infiltration, hydrological basins and the care and cleaning of streams and rivers. A thematic guide and a theoretical framework were provided in advance to the participants. The Teacher´s Union lent their facilities to the Forum as did the recreational park “Aquatic World” in Jalpan de Serra. This is the first effort of its kind and confirms that Environmental Education has really reached the students, which is reflected in a change of attitude about the natural resources in the area. The students left the event prepared to present proposals to their corresponding municipal presidents in order to solve the environmental problems in their own communities and to share the acquired knowledge with their communities and parents. The experience increases the potential of forming future young leaders in the communities within the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. · The First Encounter of Cultural Journalists took place during the month of March. It was divided into seven sessions and benefited from the support of INDESOL. 32 students of 15 secondary and high schools came from the five counties inside the Reserve. The most participatory students interested in the environmental problems in their communities were selected to participate in promoting community-based tourist sites, reporting on environment problems, in addition to writing about traditions, local customs and local products. The results will be presented in a local gazette and journal. This initiative is expected to strengthen the local capacities of communication with the local authorities regarding environmental themes, the rescue of traditions and the promotion of natural and cultural wealth. · The feasible zones for the use of sanitary landfills were selected in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve (SGBR) with the assistance of the Geo-hydrologist Gabor Kiss from the University of Miskolc, Hungary, who until recently was the Coordinator of the Monitoring of the Evaluation of the project “Biodiversity Conservation in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. The local municipal governments demonstrate high interest in improving solid waste management in the principal towns in the Reserve. These sites were selected for the first time taking into account geology, soils, geo-hydrology, permeability and geo-morphological factors, not to mention minimal environmental impact. For the time-being the region is benefiting from the expansion of the waste separation and recycling program. · The two Eco-Clubs have been working in the SGBR developing an intense series of activities, demonstrating the enthusiasm of the youth in the few short months since the intiative was introduced by GESG.. The Jalpan River Clean-up is a priority action, sponsored by GESG, the honorable city hall of Jalpan de Serra, the primary schools and the local secondary school. At the same time, the pilot project for the separation of solid wastes in Jalpan City were carried out with the full participation of two neighborhoods in the county head. Three murals were painted with recycling themes. Finally, representatives of the Eco-Clubs were invited to participate in the Third International Training Seminar convened by the International Network of EcoClubs (RIE) carried out in San Jose, Costa Rica. Representatives of 8 Latin American countries participated with Sierra Gorda representing Mexico. · In the near future, the non-profit Reforestamos Mexico A.C. will purchase approximately 300 hectares of well preserved cloud forest and pine-oak forests on two properties. The funds derive from a private event this past November celebrated at the Casa Lamm in Mexico City. Located in a highly important area known as Joya Verde (Green Jewel) in the county of Jalpan de Serra, where species such as the brocket deer, white tail deer, puma, crested guan, armadillo, coatimundi, and bearded wood partridge among others, can be found. Purchasing these areas for their strict conservation will eliminate the threat of productive activities such as logging and cattle ranching . GESG staff provide the field work of geo-positioning, border verification, agreements with owners and the evaluation of biodiversity on the properties. The purchase of lands initiative favors the conservation of the last sanctuaries for wild life and is an alliance between civil society organizations. · Two important institutions recently published books that include the Sierra Gorda experience: Mejores Practicas Sociales 2003 (Best social practices) from the Social Development Institute (INDESOL) and Historias de la Fe del Hombre en el Hombre by the Eugenio Garza Sada Prize for its X Anniversary. The second book contains a testimony and narrative of the winners of the of this Prize granted each year by the Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education) which was granted to the Sierra Gorda Ecological Group in 1996. We thank them for the endorsement.
“BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN THE SIERRA GORDA BIOSPHERE RESERVE PROJECT” QUARTERLY BULLETIN Summer 2003
-Trainers and experts from institutions such as the National Forest Commission (CONAFOR) and the National Council for Culture and Arts (CONACULTA), in addition to the staff of the Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda and the director of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, trained environmental education program staff members in preparation for the beginning of the new school year. Among the training topics were biodiversity and birds of the reserve, handling of didactic materials, waste management, creative use of recyclable materials, river basins, theater, elaboration of masks, as well as the programmed subjects that are offered to the schools each month. This year’s education program will cover 122 schools in 88 communities on a monthly basis, initiating with the topic Birds of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, timed to coincide with the annual arrival of neotropical migratory birds looking for winter refuge in the forests of the reserve. - Every ten years the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) organizes the World Parks Congress, celebrated this year in Durban, South Africa. More than 2,500 delegates from countries and protected natural areas worldwide were in attendance. Attending from the Sierra Gorda were the federal director of the reserve, Martha “Pati” Ruiz Corzo, as well as Laura Pérez Arce and Roberto Pedraza representing the Grupo Ecologico. They presented a poster based on the project “Conservation of the Biodiversity of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve.” This was a unique opportunity for learning, exchanging information, and making new contacts with potential partners, funders and others. - For the first time in the history of the conservation of natural resources in Mexico, the National Forest Commission (CONAFOR) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), has begun a program of payment for environmental services for water production. This program will benefit forest owners in exchange for the conservation of their forest resources. In response to this unique opportunity for the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, the Grupo Ecologico carried out important field work, evaluating the state of the vegetation and geo-positioning properties in putting together a proposal involving 20,000 hectares that, if approved, would allow the conservation of high-priority hydrologic recharge areas, in addition to protecting biological values.
- As part of the project “Conservation of Biodiversity in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve,” Bosque Sustentable, a non-governmental organization affiliated with the Grupo Ecologico, will be responsible for carrying out sustainable forestry management in the Reserve, including reforestation and establishment of sustainable commercial forestry plantations. Bosque Sustentable successfully passed a process of evaluation carried out by two independent consultants contracted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): the Mexican Civil Council for Sustainable Forestry, and MICAS. As a result, Bosque Sustentable is now certified for the use of funds granted by UNDP, and will be a substantial actor in this project to conserve the biodiversity of the Sierra Gorda. - Two Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda eco-clubs with junior high and high school age students in the communities of Jalpan de Serra and San Pedro Escanela became part of the International Network of Eco-Clubs, based in Argentina. The clubs were formed with the assistance of Grupo Ecológico staff and have 50 and 35 members respectively. The students are very enthusiastic, and their work is supported by the directors and teachers of the schools. This has already translated into concrete actions of community cleanup and reforestation, including the collection of 100 bags of refuse, the planting of 5,000 trees in the environs of San Pedro Escanela, the beginning of permanent campaigns of handling of recyclable materials, murals, etc. We hope to continue with the formation of young environmental leaders in the region. - In September a group of approximately 25 citizens from the community of Zapopan in the state of Jalisco visited the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. They are interested in obtaining natural protected area status for a high-priority zone for conservation in their state. During their visit, they saw the conservation programs being implemented in our reserve and the actions being undertaken within our communities. They were very impressed with our work and left with additional motivation to obtain a decree for protection of their area. - Once again the SHELL Corporation has given support, through the Grupo Ecológico, to the community landowners of the Benito Juarez Union of Forest Ejidos in the equipping of their facilities and the formation of a small fund of work capital. This support is an important part of the regularization and technical process being undertaken together with forest producers as a strategy to combat illegal timber cutting. Learn more about Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda (GESG) Read about GESG's co-founder, Martha (Pati) Ruiz Corzo Learn more about the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve |
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