Founded in 1987 by Martha Isabel “Pati” Ruiz Corzo, Roberto Pedraza Muñoz, and local citizens, Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda (GESG) was born to protect the forests and biodiversity of the region hand in hand with local society. From our first reforestation efforts and environmental education initiatives in local schools, we have grown into builders of a conservation economy that benefits both ecosystems and local communities. A journey of learning and dedication that would not have been possible without our most important allies: the people of the Sierra Gorda. Take a look at the gallery.

At Centro Tierra, GESG staff, together with the Basic Education Services Unit of the State of Querétaro (USEBEQ) and with the support of the FEMSA Foundation, delivered 30 solid- waste sorting stations to 15 schools in the region. Teachers and parents gathered to reaffirm their commitment to environmental education, learning about waste separation, collection centers, and organic composting. We were joined by Gricelda Otero Hernández, head of the Regional Services Department 1 of Jalpan at USEBEQ. Building good habits from childhood is how we care for the planet.

On May 19, we joined the inter-municipal cleanup campaign organized by the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve of CONANP as part of the activities marking the 29th anniversary of its designation as a natural protected area. We thank our colleagues Apolinar Morales Rosa and Amando Jasso Castillo, as this was just one of the many cleanup actions they conduct daily, as well as the volunteers of EcoSierra Xtreme, who take part in these efforts on a regular basis. On this occasion, students from the 8th semester of the law program at the Jalpan campus of the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ) also joined the effort. During the drive, we cleaned up three illegal dump sites and the La Playita area in Jalpan de Serra, collecting approximately three tons of waste and 200 kg of recyclable materials. We keep working for a cleaner Sierra Gorda.

On June 7, we welcomed representatives from six higher and upper secondary education institutions to our facilities: Technological University of San Juan del Río, Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ), Center for Standardized High School Studies of the State of Querétaro (CEBENEQ), Technological Institute of Querétaro (ITQ), Job Training Institute of the State of Querétaro (ICATEQ), and Querétaro State Upper‑Secondary College (COBAQ), along with Karen Arroyo Zurita from the Human Rights Defense Office of the State of Querétaro. Our director, Pati Ruiz Corzo, presented projects on environmental remediation, rainwater harvesting, water treatment plants, and the Carbono Biodiverso carbon capture program, all focused on sustainable development and the conservation of the Sierra Gorda.

This year brought a mild spring, with short heat waves that never reached extremes, and sporadic rains that kept humidity levels steady. These conditions kept fire from gaining strength and kept forest fires to a minimum. As a result, GESG’s Valle Verde fire brigade, made up of 10 staff members from that community and operating since February 15, focused exclusively on prevention and fuel management: clearing and maintaining firebreaks to stop fire that, fortunately, never came. We are deeply grateful for their work: long days in the field, keeping a vigilant fire watch from the observation post during peak-temperature days, and close coordination with all three levels of government to defend the forests and communities of the Sierra Gorda. We hope 2027 will be just as kind.