Connecting with Mother Nature is what makes Martha “Pati” Ruiz Corzo the happiest, an activist who deeply loves the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro, one of the lungs of Mexico. That love led her to join forces with the inhabitants to raise awareness about the deterioration that the Sierra Gorda was suffering, which is why she created the Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda (GESG).
“I have found my spiritual path here, it is something that I was looking for, something that would awaken passion in my heart, and that would be as real as loving nature,” says Pati.
Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda was founded in 1987 by Pati and a group of Querétaro residents concerned about the environmental deterioration of the region. The GESG began its work focusing on environmental education. “Our goal is the conservation of natural resources, but we do it from a participatory model, with love and patience, forging solutions,” explains Martha Pati Ruiz Corzo, founder and general director of GESG, who is known as the guardian of the Sierra Gorda, in an interview with Forbes.
In 2003, the Sierra Gorda was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. This region covers 383,567 hectares, which represents 32.02% of the state of Querétaro. However, 70% of the territory is private property, 27% is communal land, and 3% is federal.
Pati is a member of the Board of Directors of Forest Trends, in the United States, and Leaders pour la Paix, in France. In addition, she has received the following awards: 2001 Schwab Foundation; Ashoka Foundation in 1996 as an exceptional entrepreneur; 2002 Rolex for entrepreneurship; 2012 National Geographic- Buffet Award for leadership in conservation in Latin America, also from National Geographic the World Legacy Award 2017; 2018 from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, for the innovative inclusive vision of local communities, the Champion of the Earth Award 2013 by UNEP, and 37 other national and international awards.
However, this ecosystem is not only a “lung” of oxygen for Querétaro, it is also home to 100,000 inhabitants distributed in 683 communities of five municipalities, who have been allies and witnesses of the conservation of the participatory model of the Sierra Gorda Ecological Group. “Seeing how farmers, teachers and housewives come together around conservation fills me with hope,” says Pati, as she is known.
Regenerating the Sierra Gorda
The focus of the GESG has been to transform these communities into active agents of conservation, generating jobs and improving the quality of life. More than 80% of the group’s projects are managed directly by local residents, who receive training in sustainable practices.
Since its inception, GESG has implemented educational programs in rural schools, training more than 15,000 students and teachers. “It’s not just about teaching about the environment, but about fostering an emotional connection with nature,” explains Pati.
The GESG has five pillars that give life and hope to the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro, which are carried out by hundreds of ejidatarios, who have learned to preserve nature with special care. As well as government and private companies that have joined the initiative to put their grain of sand so that the Sierra Gorda regenerates and its species live longer.
“These mountains are my home and my responsibility, my mission in life is to serve, help others and take care of our mother earth. That is why since the eighties we have been with projects that help both the inhabitants and nature,” emphasizes “Pati”.
The projects that make up the GESG are: formation of a sustainable culture, where environmental education actions, solid waste management and communication with the inhabitants are carried out. Protection of wildlife, fire brigades are carried out. Regenerative economy, inhabitants are taught to take advantage of wood and non-wood resources. Training to create a micro-business. Currently, there are 75 local micro-entrepreneurs in the Sierra Gorda, who sell natural products, crafts, food, tours and lodging. However, the main pillar of the GESG is the carbon footprint.
“From yesterday, today and tomorrow, our objective is the conservation of natural resources, and our vision is a very participatory model, because it is our treasure, the Sierra Gorda,” Pati adds.
More forest, less pollution
One of the flagship projects of the Sierra Gorda Ecological Group is Carbono Biodiverso, launched in 2011, which has been consolidated as a replicable model for offsetting emissions. The initiative directly benefits forest owners, who receive payments for protecting their lands.
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“It is a project that has a socio-environmental impact. Instead of selling the lands of the ejidos, we pay them to take care of them so that the forest flourishes more. We also explain to them that having cattle damages the land. Not having domestic cattle gives the vegetation a break and that allows the young trees to grow,” says Roberto Pedraza, head of the GESG wild lands program, in an interview.
Likewise, the resources that the inhabitants receive to take care of their lands come from companies and individuals who seek to mitigate their carbon footprint voluntarily. By the time this report was published, more than 4,000 hectares of forest had been regenerated, with the help of 25 million pesos, from companies that have offset their carbon footprint with the GESG, such as: Uber Mexico, Lyncott, EGLA, Fandeli Group, World Land Trust, Paruno, Adventure Travel Mexico and Dreams Jade Resort & Spa. “So that companies can mitigate their carbon footprint, the GESG has a website where people or industries can register,” says Roberto Pedraza.
Meanwhile, the GESG only receives 15% of the resources obtained, a percentage that is used to pay the salaries of the group, which is made up of 65 people, and to continue strengthening the movement created by Pati.
“Here we do conservation and not conversation, we are in the trenches,” emphasizes Pedraza.
The impact of the Carbono Biodiverso program is evident, says Ismael Lagos García, a community leader from the Tejamanil ejido, located in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro. “Before, our resources were not enough, but now we can take care of our forests and also improve the quality of life of our families.”
Source: elpais
