The Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda I.A.P (GESG) was founded in 1987 in response to deforestation in the Sierra Gorda region of Mexico. Through environmental education and community projects, GESG engaged over 600 communities in conservation efforts. By 1997, one third of the state of Queretaro was protected as the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, the first protected area established through grassroots organizing. Today, GESG leads alliances to support education, restoration, sustainable development, and ecotourism that benefits local communities in the biodiverse Sierra Gorda region.