Forest restoration in northern Mexico

Greetings from Batopilas, Chihuahua!

We are pleased to share a follow-up update on the community-led environmental restoration work carried out in the Rarámuri communities of Coyachique and El Pandito (Kowinpachi), in the municipality of Batopilas, Chihuahua. This report highlights both the results achieved and the vision for the years ahead.

Reforestation Follow-Up (August 2025)

During the first three weeks of August 2025, we successfully completed a large-scale reforestation effort:

• 40,000 pine trees planted across 40 hectares

• 60 local workers hired (benefiting 60 families)

• Workers received $350 MXN per day, well above Mexico’s minimum wage

• 15 days of paid community labor

• All trees were planted using fertilizer and hydrogel to ensure higher survival rates

• The reforested areas are part of a community-protected zone, reducing risks from grazing and human disturbance

This reforestation effort contributes directly to:

• Improved water infiltration into local watersheds

• Soil erosion prevention

• Protection of biodiversity and native ecosystems

• Strengthening climate resilience in the Sierra Tarahumara

Most importantly, this project is part of a participatory community plan, designed and approved by the communities themselves, reinforcing local stewardship of their territory.

Water and Sanitation Goals Completed (2024–2025)

We are also proud to report that all complementary infrastructure goals for the 2024–2025 period have been fully achieved:

• 65 rainwater harvesting systems completed

• 5 latrines fully constructed

Together, these actions provide an integrated approach to community well-being:

• Rainwater harvesting improves access to clean water

• Latrines strengthen hygiene and public health

• Reforestation supports spring recharge and long-term water security

Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

Building on these achievements, our next goals include:

• Continuing pine reforestation efforts in 2026

• Designing and implementing a watershed care and protection project focused on the hydrological basins of the Sierra Tarahumara

• Strengthening long-term collaboration with Rarámuri communities to protect water sources, forests, and biodiversity

These future actions aim to consolidate a territorial, ecosystem-based approach, ensuring that environmental restoration, water security, and community development move forward together.

Thank you for walking alongside these communities.
Your support makes it possible to restore forests, secure water, generate dignified employment, and protect one of Mexico’s most important indigenous territories.

With gratitude,
The PIES de la Tierra A.C. Team

Links:

• Raramuri carrying his 2,500 liters water tank

Restoring Life: 40,000 Pines Planted in the Sierra Tarahumara

Greetings from Batopilas, Chihuahua!

We are excited to share a major achievement in our ongoing mission to restore ecosystems and strengthen community resilience in the Sierra Tarahumara.

During the first three weeks of August 2025, we successfully reforested 40,000 pine trees across 40 hectares in the communities of Coyachique and El Pandito (Kowinpachi), located in the municipality of Batopilas, Chihuahua.

Key Highlights of the Reforestation Effort

• 40,000 pine trees planted on 40 hectares of protected land

• 60 local workers hired (representing 60 families), earning $350 MXN per day, significantly above the national minimum wage

• 15 days of work, providing both income and dignity for participating families

• Trees planted with fertilizer and hydrogel, ensuring strong root development and higher survival rates

• The entire reforested area is protected by fencing to prevent damage from livestock and human activity

Why This Matters

This effort is more than just planting trees. It is a community-driven initiative, part of a participatory territorial management plan designed and approved by the local Rarámuri communities. The benefits of this reforestation go far beyond the immediate landscape:

• Infiltration of water into local watersheds, securing water for future generations

• Soil erosion prevention, reducing land degradation and maintaining fertile ground

• Protection of biodiversity and ecosystems, creating habitats for wildlife and supporting ecological balance

• Climate resilience, capturing carbon and combating the effects of climate change

This project not only restores nature but also creates economic opportunities, improves local well-being, and strengthens the cultural and environmental stewardship of these communities.

Thank You for Making This Possible

We extend our deepest gratitude to our donors and partners for making this monumental achievement a reality. Your support empowers communities to care for their land, their water, and their future.

Together, we are proving that environmental restoration and community development go hand in hand. Let’s keep growing this vision—tree by tree, family by family.

With gratitude,
The PIES de la Tierra A.C. Team

Links:

• 40,000 Pines Planted in the Sierra Tarahumara
• Building a fence to protect the pines planted