Protecting our forests and wetlands

Movimiento De Jovenes Por El Agua

Think Human Fund

Mission & History

For over 12 years, we have dedicated ourselves to safeguarding forests and wetlands in central and northern Mexico. Our efforts have involved collaborating with youth and communities to protect vital species, including the Mexican axolotl.

Our mission is to foster connections and collaborative projects among communities and various sectors of society to enhance the understanding and implementation of effective environmental solutions.

We have partnered with more than 10 local communities that actively manage and safeguard their forests, resulting in the reforestation of over 400 hectares in the past eight years. Currently, we are engaged in rehabilitating a significant wetland south of Mexico City, striving to restore habitats for the Mexican axolotl and numerous other native species of importance.

Country Information

Mexico City is among the largest cities in Latin America, and the demand for water and other ecosystem services has surged over the past few decades. However, it is only recently that we have begun to plan with an environmental perspective in mind. Local communities, being the most aware of these issues, are now mobilizing their neighbors and city residents to take action.

With the support of businesses, local governments, and NGOs, we are growing stronger and have achieved significant milestones in conserving forests and wetlands. Nonetheless, further action is imperative, as these vital ecosystems have long been undervalued.

The Need

Movimiento De Jovenes Por El Agua’s commitment to recovering vital ecological resources stems from an urgent need to improve water quality and biodiversity, particularly in the wetlands of our communities, and to restore water availability and forest cover in woodland areas. Recognizing that healthy ecosystems are essential for social well-being, their initiatives focus on rehabilitating critical wetlands south of Mexico City. This effort not only aims to create sustainable habitats for species like the Mexican axolotl and essential native flora and fauna but also addresses the broader need for clean water access and biodiversity conservation.

The Project We Fund

Through their volunteer programs, they are making a significant impact on the primary forests and wetlands of Mexico City—crucial ecosystems that provide essential water resources, ecosystem services, and biodiversity for central Mexico. Their initiatives include reforestation programs and habitat rehabilitation activities conducted in partnership with local communities to restore these vital areas, situated adjacent to the metropolitan region.

The estimated cost for reforesting each tree is approximately €6. This investment covers both the pre- and post-planting maintenance of the forests, which is carried out by community members actively involved in the project. They will employ a collaborative reforestation method utilizing experienced volunteers who have previously contributed to successful conservation efforts in other communities. This allows them to effectively engage local beneficiaries, particularly those dedicated to preserving their forest resources.

In addition, their lake rehabilitation efforts will involve working alongside volunteers and community members to prepare the water body, creating a safe environment for the sustainable population of axolotls and other native wetland species. By fostering community involvement and utilizing collective expertise, they aim to ensure the long-term health and resilience of these critical ecosystems.

The Result

Movimiento De Jovenes Por El Agua conducts regular evaluations and monitor the technical aspects of our activities to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability. This includes tracking the survival rates of newly planted vegetation, assessing changes in water quality over time, and evaluating the overall health of axolotl specimens on a monthly basis.

In conjunction with these assessments, they actively seek feedback from the community regarding their perceptions of the impact of these activities. By combining technical monitoring with community insights, they can comprehensively understand the outcomes of their initiatives and make informed adjustments as necessary to enhance their effectiveness.

2025 Midterm Report

Movimiento de Jóvenes Por El Agua made significant strides in environmental conservation and community development. This year, they successfully expanded the axolotl habitat by constructing a new shelter and built two new facilities for axolotls and analytical equipment. They rehabilitated a warehouse to safely store community tools near forests, initiated a 3-hectare lake project, and installed filtration systems in natural ponds. Over 1.5 hectares of forest were prepared for planting, and 1,200 pine trees were cared for in Xalatlaco. These efforts supported 10 direct beneficiaries, positively impacting their skills, job opportunities, and quality of life.

Testimonies

“I’ve been working on these lands for more than 30 years, but I’ve experienced them since I was a kid. I have always enjoyed being here in spite of the bad things that had happened in the last decades. But I will always keep working to recover our forest whenever I can and I would like that some day, even though I will not be here anymore, this place becomes again that majestic forest it was once.” -Benjamin Meliton, 91-

“I appreciate so much how these environmental projects bring many things together at society level: cohesiveness, job opportunities, awareness, change of perspectives in young and old people. I think that the organization sometimes underestimates that impact but it is as important as saving the axolotl and their ecosystems.” –Karla Moreno, 28-