Initial situation 

The Selva El Ocote and Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserves, two protected natural areas in southern Mexico, are threatened by various effects of climate change and human activities such as extensive livestock farming and forest fires, which have caused deforestation, degradation of local ecosystems, and a decline in water supply and quality.

Productive areas in both locations have become less viable, while climate vulnerability to droughts, floods, storms, forest fires, and landslides has increased. The project aimed to strengthen community networks for territorial planning and management in seven rural communities with limited access to basic services through training, workshops, and restoration activities. 

Objectives

Strengthen integrated landscape management in Selva El Ocote and Pantanos de Centla by improving territorial governance, restoring degraded areas, and promoting local economies for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation. Promote community-based biodiversity monitoring and establish periodic and long-term maintenance agreements for restored areas. 
 
Integrate sustainable practices into local value chains to foster inclusive and economic development.  

Activities

• Training sessions and dialogues to foster collaboration among key stakeholders and government authorities. 
• Technical assistance and support for community leaders and local groups to identify options for conserving, restoring, and managing their ecosystems. 
• Development of socio-ecological analyses using geographic information systems and participatory mapping to support communities and local authorities in developing or updating their territorial planning instruments. 
• Participatory planning and implementation of ecosystem restoration actions at priority sites. 
• Analysis of physicochemical indicators of water quality in natural springs. 
• Workshops on sustainable practices in local production systems for communities and environmental, fisheries, and agricultural authorities.