A jewel sits at Mexico’s heart. In the north-central state of Querétaro, a nearly 1,500-square-mile biosphere reserve called Sierra Gorda offers a breathtaking combination of natural wonders. From the arid shrublands and tropical forest in its deep canyons to the montane rainforests and temperate forests at higher elevations, Sierra Gorda offers an ecological tapestry rich enough to harbor a vast diversity of wildlife.
Sierra Gorda’s landowners know well the value and beauty that lies all around them, and they work hard to make their livelihoods align with what’s best for the environment.
That commitment has won the local landscape partnership called Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda IAP recognition with one of the preeminent sustainability awards—the UN Development Programme’s Equator Prize. Judges hand out 10 awards biennially to recognize outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation.
“A leader in community-based climate change mitigation and adaptation, the organization has driven the establishment of a state-funded carbon footprint mechanism, incentivizing landowners for climate-friendly land use including regenerative agriculture,” the judges wrote. “The group is restoring 40,000 hectares of degraded ecosystems. A network of social enterprises and environmental education complements an integrated approach to foment local community ownership.”
EcoAgriculture Partners celebrates el Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda IAP’s being one of the winners and applauds their deserved recognition! We have closely collaborated with the group to support their integrated landscape approach. For more than three decades, the coalition has advanced social entrepreneurship, ecosystem restoration and private reserves to protect the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve and promote the economic and social development of the 638 communities that live within it. We know this is just the start as they continue to develop innovations and partnerships, such as education programs for all stakeholders to understand why holistic interventions are necessary for the Sierra Gorda landscape.
A model for living with the land
The Equator Prize honors outstanding Indigenous and local groups worldwide that achieve goals like Sierra Gorda’s. This year’s winners stood out from more than 600 nominees from 126 countries to an independent Technical Advisory Committee of internationally renowned experts. We applaud the growing focus on community-led landscape management to achieve biodiversity, climate and community goals.
EcoAgriculture Partners is proud to be a partner of the prize’s parent organization, the Equator Initiative, since 2005. This program brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local, sustainable development solutions.
The other nine Equator Prize 2021 winners are community groups and networks from Brazil, Bolivia, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Kyrgyzstan and Niger. We celebrate that many are multi-stakeholder landscape partnerships. All are using innovative, nature-based solutions to tackle biodiversity, climate change and poverty challenges. Their experiences provide blueprints for addressing the socio-economic crisis caused by COVID-19 at the local level with green approaches.
To learn more about Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda IAP, check out a heartwarming video by General Director Martha “Pati” Ruiz Corzo, who has worked in the landscape for more than 30 years:
Featured Image: Farmers affiliated with Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda IAP. Photo courtesy of Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda.