WHERE
WE WORK

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We work in the Lacandon Rainforest, located in the middle basin of the Usumacinta River, an area that, due to its intricate geology, physiography and edaphology, is home to the greatest diversity of terrestrial and freshwater species in the country.

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Our actions are focused on the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, the largest protected natural area in the Lacandon Rainforest. The biodiversity concentrated here is unmatched by any other protected natural area in the country. For example, thanks to the heterogeneity of environmental conditions, these rainforests are home to around 3,400 species of vascular plants, of which it is estimated that 573 are trees. In addition, 24% of Mexico's terrestrial mammals, 44% of birds, 10% of herpetofauna, 40% of butterflies and 13% of fish are represented here.

 

Many of the species in this region are listed in the Mexican Official Standard (NOM-059-ECOL-2010) by their risk category (threatened or in danger of extinction), including some emblematic animals such as the jaguar ( Panthera onca ), the tapir ( Tapirus bairdii ), the white-lipped peccary ( Tayassu pecari ), the scarlet macaw ( Ara macao ), the harpy eagle ( Harpia harpyja ), the white-fronted turtle ( Dermatemis mawii ) and the brown crocodile ( Crocodylus moreletii ).

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Natura Mexicana focuses its efforts on this important region, which unfortunately is deeply threatened by the transformation and degradation of its natural ecosystems. The Chajul, Tzendales and Lacanjá field stations have been the operational base for all the processes and projects that Natura Mexicana promotes. Monitoring, research, training and environmental education are carried out from them. In addition, they have been a space for meeting and dialogue between the actors, some of whom are sometimes antagonistic, to build trust, understanding and appropriation of the projects.