World
11:57, 14-Dec-2017
Mexican conservation group fights threats to Sierra Gorda reserve
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For 30 years, a group of environmentalists has been working to save Mexico’s Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, one of Latin America’s most unusual nature reserves.
It has eight separate ecosystems, with pine forests giving way to lowland tropical jungles and hilly, semi-arid deserts, and is home to more than 300 species of birds, including the purple-breasted hummingbird. Rare black salamanders also live there.
As part of its project to maintain the reserve, the Sierra Gorda Ecological Group has created scores of sustainable businesses for more than 100,000 people living in the region.
"It’s been a process of forming sustainable cultures through environmental education in the schools," said Martha “Pati” Ruiz Corzo, who directs the globally renowned Mexican environmental conservation organization.
"That’s led to persistent energy in the form of marches, parades, theater works, earth festivals, radio programs and mural paintings."
Mountaintops of the Sierra Gorda region in Mexico. /VCG Photo
Mountaintops of the Sierra Gorda region in Mexico. /VCG Photo
In 2013, Ruiz Corzo won top global prizes for environmental leadership, including the United Nations Champions of the Earth trophy. But even after decades of protecting the mostly pristine natural lands, illegal cutting of old growth trees continues. And the presence of free-range cattle erodes the soil.
Other dangers are looming, say Sierra Gorda members.
One is climate change, says Roberto Pedraza Ruiz, Pati Ruiz’s son. “It’s unstoppable and very rapid and it will change life as we know it on our planet," he said. "We are doing away with half of all existing species.”
Nevertheless, the Sierra Gorda Ecological Group continues its fight for a remarkable natural habitat.
12321km