Mexico: Prevent Extinctions in the Mountains of Southern Mexico
Support More Work Like ThisSupport More Work Like ThisEndemic species in Mexico are pushed to the brink of extinction as commercial-scale threats devastate their last known refuge in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range.
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Species at Risk
Teotepec Salamander (CR), Imperial Salamander (CR), Green-flecked Salamander (CR), Omiltemi Minute Salamander (EN), White-throated Jay (VU)
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Carbon stored
5,235,082 mT*
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
Integral Wildlife Laboratory of the Autonomous University of Guerrero
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57,260 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Designation
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Project Cost: $347,081
57,260
Endemic species in Mexico are pushed to the brink of extinction as commercial-scale threats devastate their last known refuge in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range.
-
Species at Risk
Teotepec Salamander (CR), Imperial Salamander (CR), Green-flecked Salamander (CR), Omiltemi Minute Salamander (EN), White-throated Jay (VU)
-
Carbon stored
5,235,082 mT*
*(metric tons of CO2 equivalents) -
Partner
Integral Wildlife Laboratory of the Autonomous University of Guerrero
-
57,260 Proposed Acres Conserved by
Designation
-
Project Cost: £286,843
57,260
The Sierra Madre del Sur provides the only refuge for threatened frogs, salamanders, birds and mammals endemic to this mountainous biodiversity hotspot in Mexico. However, with only about 0.1% of this territory protected, the remaining forests that offer sanctuary from devastating threats must be protected.
The blending of temperate and tropical in this remote mountain range in southern Mexico is truly remarkable. Extending about 620 miles along the southwestern coast, mid-to-upper elevation forests feature a canopy of trees, where a tropical understory thrives beneath with flowering shrubs and plants that support six critically endangered salamanders, four endangered frogs, rare mice and other species found nowhere else on Earth.
Rainforest Trust and our partner, the Integral Wildlife Laboratory of the Autonomous University of Guerrero, are supporting the conservation of an estimated 57,260 acres belonging to local communities and operated as ejidos—areas of communally-managed land. They will be officially certified by the Mexican government as “Areas Voluntarily Designated for Conservation” or ADVCs, and will be sustainably managed. One additional area will be established as the 4,900-acre Omiltemi State Reserve.
Header photo: Omiltemi Landscape, by University of Guerrero
Explore the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountain Range
White-throated Jay, by Ryan Shaw
Landscape in Omiltemi Mexico, courtesy University of Guerrero
Landscape in Omiltemi Mexico, courtesy University of Guerrero
Landscape in Omiltemi Mexico, courtesy University of Guerrero
Landscape in Omiltemi Mexico, courtesy University of Guerrero
Landscape in Omiltemi Mexico, courtesy University of Guerrero
Only about
of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range is protected from logging, mining and cattle grazing.
Save The Only Home For A Diversity Of Rare Species In Mexico
Sierra Madre del Sur’s cloud and tropical forests rank among Earth’s most threatened ecosystems. The unfortunate reality is that they are not yet well protected in Mexico, which makes the lands targeted for protection in this project a high priority for global biodiversity conservation. They overlap with two large areas known as Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) sites, having been identified as the last site where certain threatened species can be found.
Ensure Biodiversity Conservation And Sustainable Use For Local Communities
In contemporary Mexico, a significant portion of the rural landscape is incorporated into ejidos that communally manage the land. Eager to protect their forests, the ejidos welcome the certification of their communal forests, which will guarantee land tenure security and management rights for them. Groups of local villagers will be trained to identify and monitor wildlife, which will provide jobs for local residents.
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We Value Transparency.
Conservation work is critical, challenging, and can be costly. We work hard to ensure we raise only the funds needed for each project. In the rare case we raise more money than needed or a project comes in under budget, excess monies will be transferred to the Conservation Action Fund. This fund supports our important conservation work throughout the tropics.
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Partnering to Save Rainforest
Our partners’ ability to work with their governments and build strong connections with local communities ensures the successful implementation of our projects.
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