Nature-Based Climate Solutions in Mexico's Sierra Gorda
Partner: Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda IAP
Location: Sierra Gorda Region, Queretaro, Mexico
Key Themes: Reforestation, Carbon Sequestration, Community-led Conservation, Land Stewardship
PROJECT MISSION
Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda (GESG) was founded over 35 years ago, led by the singular vision of one woman, Martha “Pati” Ruiz Corzo, and her family and their mission to preserve, protect, and regenerate the unique biodiversity of the Sierra Gorda. Since their founding, the GESG team has built integrated community environmental education programs and celebrations to bring hope to the serious work of regeneration and conservation. Today, their local, science-based model is being applied to a regional carbon reduction program and provides a critical local model that can be replicated on a global scale. As the impacts of climate change continue to accelerate declines in biodiversity, GESG’s work brings us hope for a better future.
The film highlights the successful conservation and climate solutions they initiated in response to the rapid environmental deterioration of their home in the Sierra Gorda bioregion in Querétaro, Mexico.The Sierra Gorda is a precious resource and ecosystem. For its flora, fauna, and local communities to thrive, a new vision serving the natural world while meeting the needs of local landowners was needed. For the last thirty years, Sierra Gorda Ecological Group has developed innovative models, leading best practices, science-backed tools and community-led programs to continue driving this vision forward.
Video Storytelling
This film powerfully highlights the successful conservation and climate solutions they initiated decades ago in response to the rapid environmental deterioration of their home in the Sierra Gorda bioregion in Querétaro, Mexico.
We continue to promote Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda I.A.P. (GESG)’s work because of their incredible resilience, perseverance, and creativity with nature-based climate solutions. They are always striving to bring progress to the region and serve as a global example of community-led, research-based conservation projects. We all think the world could use some inspiration and hope in the fight against climate change. Because there is no Planet B.
A story of resilience, innovation, and the extraordinary power of local action. Local stewards are the custodians and agents of change and a driving force for a nature-positive future.
“Now or never is the time for us to reconcile with nature. This is absolutely essential. We need to align ourselves with the flow of life found in ecosystems as one more element that cooperates, regenerates, heals, and helps everything to flow. We must be those agents of change. Let ours be the voice that is raised throughout the Earth.”
— Pati Ruiz Corzo, Director of Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gorda
Additional Resources
Video: “Carbon Neutral Planet - The World as We Know It Will Cease to Exist”
Take a look at GESG's call to action to all industries to help restore forests in the state of Queretaro, reduce their impact, and help protect and preserve life on our home planet.
Article: “Sierra Gorda Brings Small-Scale Farmers into Mainstream Carbon Market With Dual Validation Under VCS & CCB”
Learn more about GESG's groundbreaking initiatives pave the way for small-scale farmers to join the carbon market, facilitating biodiversity conservation for the Sierra Gorda region.
Article: “Recovering Natural Capital by Regenerating Ecosystems”
One of the main challenges for small-scale, community-led carbon sequestration projects are the global protocols, which are often not aligned with local realities and are costly to implement. Learn more about GESG and the state of Queretaro's solution to this challenge.