Ecosystem Restoration Mexico Project #59261

Forest restoration in northern Mexico

by Proyectos Integrales en Economia Sustentable PIES de la Tierra

Project Report | May 12, 2025
Harvesting Water, Latrines and Planting Futures

By Bernardo Manzano Lepe | Project Leader

Building comunity latrines

Greetings from the Sierra Tarahumara!

At PIES de la Tierra A.C., we are proud to continue collaborating hand-in-hand with local communities in our mission to restore ecosystems, improve water access, and promote health and environmental awareness.

Thanks to your support and the arrival of new donors, we’ve expanded our reach to the communities of Coyachique, Huimaybo (Batopilas, Chihuahua) and Bawinokachi (Bocoyna, Chihuahua) with funding for rainwater harvesting systems, reforestation, and sanitation improvements.

Recent Milestones:

5 composting latrines were completed in March 2025 in Batopilas communities. In May, we are launching a series of trainings on human waste management and latrine use, ensuring long-term impact and proper maintenance.
All materials for 65 rainwater harvesting systems have been delivered, and 10 systems have already been built. We expect to finish all 65 by July, just in time for the summer rains, helping families collect clean water and reduce dependence on unsafe sources.
We are preparing to reforest 40,000 pine trees during July and August. The trees will be planted using fertilizer and hydrogel to increase survival rates and support spring recharge in the region.

Community Empowerment Through Education:

In addition to construction and restoration, we are also organizing:

Workshops on agroecological care of family plots
Environmental mural painting at the primary school in Coyachique
Biodiversity photography activities led by the children of these communities to raise awareness and reconnect with their natural surroundings

These actions are building a more resilient, sustainable future—rooted in the strength of the communities and supported by your generosity.

With heartfelt thanks

We are deeply grateful to all our individual donors, as well as our institutional allies:
FECHAC, United Way Chihuahua, GlobalGiving, Young Living Foundation, Smart Supermercados, Aptiv, and Lear.

Together, we’re transforming lives, restoring ecosystems, and ensuring clean water and dignity for all. Let’s keep walking this path—together.

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

Building water harvest system

Comunity latrine finished

Water hasrvesting roof frame instalation

Material delivery

Links:

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Jan 14, 2025
Water,Forests & Hope: Changing Lives in Tarahumara

By Bernardo Manzano Lepe | Project Leader

Delivery of Rotoplas water tanks

Greetings everyone!

On behalf of PIES de la Tierra A.C., we are excited to share the latest updates on our collaborative efforts with indigenous communities in the Sierra Tarahumara. These milestones represent a holistic approach to addressing critical challenges in the region, made possible through your invaluable support.

This year, we have continued to strengthen our partnerships with the communities through community meetings and workshops, fostering active participation and shared responsibility. Thanks to the generosity of new and ongoing donors, we are advancing on several fronts:

65 rainwater harvesting systems are being installed across the communities of Coyachique, Huimaybo (municipality of Batopilas), and Bawinokachi (municipality of Bocoyna), Chihuahua, to improve access to safe and clean water.
We are working towards the reforestation of 40,000 pine trees, a key initiative to restore ecosystems and support the recharge of natural springs.
The construction of 5 latrines is underway, addressing urgent hygiene and sanitation needs in the Batopilas communities.

These components come together to give the project a unique integrality, tackling interconnected challenges in hygiene, health, and water access. The latrines significantly improve sanitation, reducing waterborne diseases, while the rainwater harvesting systems provide clean, accessible water. Meanwhile, the reforestation efforts contribute to environmental restoration, ensuring the recharge of springs and long-term water sustainability.

Transporting materials to these remote locations is no small task, but with the determination and collective strength of the local indigenous communities, we are making extraordinary progress. We’ve documented part of this journey in a video showing the delivery of Rotoplas water tanks, showcasing the incredible effort behind the scenes.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our individual donors and our institutional partners, including FECHAC, United Way Chihuahua, GlobalGiving, Young Living Foundation, Smart Supermercados, Aptiv, and Lear. Your support is creating a profound, lasting impact on these communities, paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Together, we are transforming lives and landscapes, step by step. Let’s continue building resilience, hope, and sustainability in these remarkable communities!

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

Huimaybo community in Batopilas

Links:

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Sep 17, 2024
Progress in raramuri comunities

By Bernardo Manzano Lepe | Project Leader

Meeting in Coyachique. August 2024.

Greetings everyone!

On behalf of PIES de la Tierra A.C., we are pleased to share exciting progress in our restoration project in northern Mexico, as we continue our commitment to supporting local communities.

Since mid-2023, we have worked diligently to secure collaborations and funding for this project. Thanks to your generosity, in 2024, we have received various donations that will allow us to reforest more than 30 hectares, and construct 5 latrines, as well as 65 roof water harvesting systems for houses.

I’m happy to announce that we have already conducted the necessary meetings to plan the logistics for the communities. We have visited each home to take measurements for the rainwater harvesting systems and are now prepared to purchase the materials needed. Once ready, we will transport them to the communities where we are collaborating: Coyachique and Kowinapchi (El Pandito), Cerro Pelón, Ojo de Buey, Egochi and Maguey in the Batopilas and Bocoyna municipality.

It is important to remind you that we are facing a severe drought in the Sierra Tarahumara, which has led some communities to migrate due to the effects of climate change. The drinking water quality is also poor, largely due to the lack of proper sanitation facilities.

we hope thar in october start the execution of all the activities to acomplish this project.

Thanks to your continued support and trust, we can carry out this vital work. Each contribution makes a significant difference, bringing us closer to a more sustainable future. We remain committed to transparency and hope this update shows the positive impact we are making in the region.

We deeply appreciate your essential role in this journey. Let's keep walking together towards a healthier and more equitable environment!

Meeting in Pandito. August 2024.

Meeting in Coyachique 2. August 2024.

Beneficiary in Ojo de Buey comunity.

Beneficiary 2 in Cerro Pelon.

Water harvesting project.

Links:

Meeting in Coyachique, august 2024.

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