Mexico
We are planting 200,000 trees in Mexico in order to restore the mangrove forest. In collaboration with our partner SENDAS and the local population, the project will enable us to bring nature back to life again!
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trees being planted
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hectares of soil
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people who have work & income
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people in total benefiting from the project
Why is this project in Mexico necessary?
The project is taking place in the Los Tuxtlas biosphere reserve in Mexico. A biosphere reserve is a natural area within which the ecosystem is protected. This area has been designated as such by UNESCO.
Many of the mangrove forests in Lox Tuxtlas have disappeared. The trees used to grow mainly alongside the Sontecomapan Lagoon: an inland lake between the coast and the hinterland. Much of the forest has been felled, but there have also been forest fires. This has resulted in large areas that are now covered in ferns where the mangroves used to grow.
Endangered ecosystem
This development has disastrous consequences for the ecosystem and for the plants and animals in the biosphere reserve. Many animal species have disappeared or declined, such as fish and crustaceans. And that raises problems for the local population, who make their living from fishing. Moreover, the area has become vulnerable to natural disasters, such as tropical storms and cyclones.
What are we going to do about it?
The aim of this project is to restore the mangroves and the ecosystem of the biosphere reserve. So how are we going to do that?
For nature
First of all, we are planting 200,000 new trees, comprising three local types of mangrove: the white, red and black mangrove. These types have many advantages. They store a lot of carbon in the biomass and in the soil. They also protect the surroundings against flooding, drought and tropical storms.
We are also restoring the water network in the area, by digging channels that link up to the sea. This will enable full tidal movements to take place, so that the mangrove forest can develop again. Then, native plants and animals, such as endangered turtles and iguanas, can return naturally to the area.
For the population
We are actively involving the villagers in the project. For example, they will help with clearing the land, planting the trees and maintaining and protecting the forests. So we will be providing work and income for around 60 fishermen and farmers.
Both directly and indirectly, we are also helping around 90 households that make their living from the Sontecomapan Lagoon, as the biosphere reserve has many attractive tourist spots. The local population will therefore be able to earn money from this ecotourism, as guides or by hiring out boats.
This project of Trees for All contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals
Where are we going to plant?
Our planting area is situated by the Sontecomapan Lagoon in the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve. This is a protected natural area. Since 2006, it has had the status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Los Tuxtlas is a real biodiversity hotspot, which is already home to 2,698 types of plant, 46 types of amphibian, 122 types of reptile, 140 types of mammal and 860 types of butterflies!
Our partners
We are carrying out this project with our partner SENDAS, a Mexican NGO that has been working on nature conservation in Los Tuxtlas since 1999. SENDAS aims to support the local population in restoring and conserving damaged ecosystems and protecting the local flora and fauna.
The local Sontecomapan community is also closely involved in the project. They started replanting the mangrove area in 2014, while living in the reserve. They have already succeeded in reforesting 30 hectares. The members of the community will also be the future managers of the mangrove area.