Improved Forest Management in San José del Rincón

Community-Led Forest Management in the Heart of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve

The project is located in the State of Mexico, specifically within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, where some of the land is situated around or within the Cutzamala River Hydrological Basin. The Monarch Butterfly is considered a protected species due to its significance as a migratory species with a small population spread across different parts of the world.

The project aggregates five Ejidos that carry out improved forest management activities and reforestation practices for commercial timber harvesting, including oyamel and pine. All five communities have been certified by FSC for their improved forest management practices. Wood harvesting is only authorized from April to October, as the Monarch Butterfly is present during the other months.

The total project area includes 4,839 hectares of community-based forest under improved forest management. The forest is owned by the communities, and all activities are carried out by community members. Other activities include restoration of degraded areas, fire protection, project monitoring, agriculture, and livestock farming.

Protecting Biodiversity & Tradition in the Monarch Butterfly Reserve

The region is a temporary home to the migratory species of the Monarch Butterflies (protected species) from November to March. They usually travel between 2,000 to 45,000 kilometers from the Northeast United States and Southeast Canada to this central region of Mexico, where they will hibernate during the winter months before traveling back. Protecting this habitat is crucial to preserve and protect them, as well as the local biodiversity. Additionally, the forest is home to species including the rattlesnake, caltrops, coyotes, armadillo, raccoon, eagles, falcon, owl, and critically endangered species, such as axolotls.

The Mazahua Indigenous peoples remain present in some of the communities. They preserve their unique traditions and customs and communicate in their native language. The term "Mazahua" originates from the Náhuatl word meaning "people from the deer."

Loyal to traditional practices, this project is different from other improved forest management projects as communities use traditional small-scale harvesting methods, such as a yoke (a wooden beam) placed across the necks of a pair of oxen to carry the harvested wood down the mountaintop. This traditional use of the yoke allows for hauling heavy loads for relatively short distances.

Climate Finance in Action: Supporting Communities Through Carbon Credits

In collaboration with Fundación AXA, ClimateSeed has been proud to work with the project developer since 2023 and support the project’s first credit issuance.

Through revenues from the sale of carbon credits, the communities have received additional income, as well as financial support to maintain their FSC certification, carry out project surveillance, and monitor forest fires.