The document is an annual report from 2020 for The Alliance for the Conservation of the Sierra Gorda. It summarizes the organization's partnerships, awards, social media presence, environmental education and outreach activities, sustainable development projects, and virtual events from the year. Key accomplishments include partnerships with government agencies, over 25 Earth Festivals attended by thousands, campaigns promoting waste reduction and management, training over 90 people in sustainable wild plant collection, establishing a firefighting brigade, and providing technical assistance to agricultural producers and beekeepers. The organization also participated in virtual conferences and planning meetings on tourism, climate policy, and more.

1. Querétaro
Guanajuato
San Luis
Potosí
Hidalgo
The Alliance for the Conservation of the Sierra Gorda
Annual Report 2020

2. Municipal Governments
2020 Partners, Memberships and Awards
Government partners
Awards
Donors
Partners and Memberships
2020:
Selected prizes
in previous
years:
GESG is a registered member of these U.N. bodies:

4. Instagram Live with
Floor Jansen
Instagram live with
Alfonso Dosal
Climate Week
NYC 2020
Interview with Paola Rojas,
Televisa
13,200 views on YouTube
587 views on
Instagram
5,800 people reached
on Facebook
Morning newscaster on
national television
sierra.gorda sierragordamexico SierraGorda Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda
1320 subscribers1885 followers1731 followers20,541 followers
SOCIAL MEDIA EVENTS & COVERAGE

5. 2020 partnership:
:

6. Realización de 26 Fiestas de la Tierra
Pre-COVID-19
• 25 Earth Festivals
• 3,267 attendees
• 40 schools participated
TOWARDS A CULTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY

7. Campaña de minimización de residuos sólidos
• 281 meetings with small
business owners in the five
municipalities
• 33 murals with the theme of
waste separation
• 144 signs hung about waste
separation, composting and
reducing use of single use
plastic bags
• 732 cloth reusable shopping
bags gifted
TOWARDS A CULTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY-
WASTE MANAGEMENT

8. 679 carteles colocados
Provision of didactic
material in 18 schools in
the 9th school district
710 Coloring
books with
the flora and
fauna of the
Sierra Gorda
provided
TOWARDS A CULTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental Education Actions
60,000 trees for
communities and
reforestations
14 Community Clean-up
Campaigns

9. We developed with the National Forestry Commission
(CONAFOR) and the Secretariat for Sustainable
Development of the State of Queretaro, the protection and
conservation of 930 hectares in the Sierra Gorda. This was
accomplished using Concurrent Funds for 2020 to set up
Local Mechanisms for payment for Environmental Services.
Valorizing natural capital
Payment for Environmental Services in the
Sierra Gorda

10. With the help of World Land Trust, we started a project for the protection of
3,020 hectares of cloud and temperate forests with four Ejidos in Xilitla. They
will receive an annual payment for capturing and storing CO2 within their
forests.
The project will go on for five years , combating climate change, poverty and
will conserve biodiversity.
Payments for Environmental Services in Xilitla, SLP
Valorizing natural capital

12. Training collectors of wild aromatic species from the
following ejidos: Maguey Verde, Emiliano Zapata and
Extoraz in Peñamiller.
• 8 Workshops on implementation of best practices in
collection, handling after harvest (drying and storage),
added value, sustainable management and
standardization of the processes.
• 90 people received training in sustainable
management of wild aromatic species collection.
Aromatic herbs in the Semidesert
Valorizing natural capital

13. Financed by World Land Trust, we formed a fire fighting
brigade made up of one brigade chief and 9 other members
based out of Valle Verde, in the municipality of Jalpan de
Serra.
Additionally, 7 staff from Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda are
equipped and have received basic forest fire training. These
staff are based out of the city of Jalpan de Serra.
• Prevention activities include the rehabilitation of the
watch tower for surveillance during the fire season.
• 67.8 km of firebreaks and trails were cleaned and
restored.
• 4 forest fires attended to by the brigade in the 2020
season.
Protecting natural capital
Fire Fighting Brigade

14. Sustainable Productivity in basic grains.
150 tons of compost delivered to 90
agricultural producers
Agriculture including green houses Keyline Hydrological Design
78 new hectares
under keyline design
in Aquismón and
Tamuín, S.L.P
Keyline being implemented on
80 hectares in
Rancho Terrenates, Flores
Magón, Chih.
Technical assistance
provided to 154
agricultural producers,
gardeners and ranchers.
Towards a culture of regeneration
Regeneration of agricultural soils

15. Beekeeping
• 60 visits to provide technical
assistance to beekeepers.
• 57 apiaries established
• Delivery of supplies: food, wax, and
boxes
• A course for new apiculturists had 30
attendees
• “Pollinator Conservation” Event
• Creation of next generation of
beekeepers in the Sierra Gorda
Apiculture in the Sierra Gorda

16. Certification Course “Training in Nature Based Solutions
and Skills for Increasing Rural Productivity”
• 18 participants. Students from
Autonomous University of Querétaro
(UAQ) and Arroyo Seco.
• 7 modules were taught in Centro
Tierra and Tonatico Ranch
• Result: 4 community projects were
launched.
Towards a culture of sustainability

17. 80 visits for technical assistance and
distribution of supplies
Community-run microenterprises:
• 6 eco- lodges
• 2 artesanal workshops
• 20 small restaurants
Towards a culture of sustainability

18. Participation in virtual events
• International Conference of Rural Tourism organized by the
Universidad Tecnológica de Corregidora
• Presentation of the project during Tourism Day at the
Universidad TecMilenio
• Tourism Trade Show (Mexico)
• Adventure Travel Network (ATMEX)
Towards a culture of sustainability

19. Online events
Towards a culture of sustainability
• Forum: “Scaling Climate Policies and New Financing for High Biodiversity” for
Climate Week NYC 2020
• Forum: “Circular Economy for the Conservation of Nature in the Sierra Gorda,
Querétaro”

20. Online Meetings
Towards a culture of sustainability
• 31 meetings for Sierra Gorda´s NAMA
project “Subnational Mitigation Actions
for the Regeneration of Landscapes”
⮚ 12 states
⮚ 10 state and federal agencies
⮚ 8 civil society organizations in six states in
Mexico
• 38 planning meetings:
⮚ Tourism
⮚ Sustainable harvesting of wood and non-wood
products
⮚ Attention to environmental crimes
⮚ Payment for Environmental Services
⮚ Global Environmental Facility (GEF) 7

21. Towards a culture of sustainability
• 11 meetings on solid waste:
Regional Programs and Municipal Regulations
⮚ 5 Municipalities
⮚ Regional Program for Solid Waste
Management and Prevention in the Sierra
Gorda Biosphere Reserve
⮚ 2 Regulations officially approved for
Comprehensive Waste Management and
Prevention and Circular Waste Economy
• 11 meetings for legal initiatives:
⮚ Mexican Civil Society Organizations
⮚ Federal Environmental Budget 2021
⮚ Strengthening the environmental sector
⮚ Attention to environmental crimes

22. EarthCheck
Certification of the Sierra Gorda
as a Sustainable Destination
• Access to new markets
• Better territorial management
Towards a culture of sustainability

23. Thank you and Happy 2021!
www.sierragorda.net