Reforesting the land of the Jaguar in Mexico

ARR projects are integral to GHG mitigation strategies, playing a crucial role in terrestrial carbon sequestration. This project aims to restore 1,663 hectares of degraded tropical lowlands in southeast Mexico, primarily using native tree species such as logwood to strengthen ecological resilience and carbon sequestration. It is expected to capture approximately  30,000 tons of CO2 annually, significantly contributing to climate change mitigation. Most of the land is seasonally flooded, and when reforested, the soil has a high capacity to capture carbon in addition to the biomass above the soil.

The project is transforming overexploited cattle ranching and degraded agricultural land into a sustainable mosaic landscape of restored native forest and dedicated conservation areas where commercial logging is prohibited. By replacing unprofitable cattle grazing with professional forestry employment, the project supports local economic development while building skills and transferring knowledge within surrounding communities.

A local plant nursery, capable of producing up to 400,000 native tree saplings each year, supports large-scale reforestation while providing a consistent source of employment, professional training and capacity for ongoing forest protection. Restoration is centred on native plant and forest species, with the project collaborating with local universities to strengthen biodiversity outcomes and advance research into carbon sequestration by native species. Together, the restored forests and conservation areas provide important habitat for local wildlife, with annual biodiversity monitoring recording endangered howler and spider monkeys, a range of native bird species, and the near-threatened jaguar within the project area.

Beyond its own boundaries, the project also works with community members who manage timber forests, providing education and encouraging the adoption of more sustainable forestry and harvesting practices across the wider region.

The project is deeply rooted in community collaboration. Local populations are engaged from the ground up, participating in nursery operations, planting, and ecosystem monitoring. Ongoing outreach and education efforts foster environmental stewardship and raise awareness about biodiversity conservation and climate action. The project also strengthens food security through sustainable agroforestry systems that integrate native species and biochar-enriched soils. These initiatives help communities adapt to climate challenges while ensuring that conservation efforts are aligned with local development needs.

The project is actively working towards local resilience and the reduction of poverty. This is being achieved by the full-time employment of 50 people. Of these 50, 3 are non-local community members. These roles could not be filled within the local community. However, through university engagement, there is an aim of skill development within project systems. The project has a high employee retention rate with increased wages, compared to other local options, and secure contracting for employees. The prioritisation of local knowledge is vital within the challenging humid tropical climate. 

Building economic resilience within the region extends into the empowerment of women. The gradual involvement of women within the project is supported by flexible contracting. This allows women to remain involved and supported within their familial roles while also increasing empowerment.

In addition to providing jobs, we focus on developing local competencies which could later be used to expand the restoration of the rest of the Terminos Lagoon region and bring resilience to the communities living on it.

From the heartwood of the logwood tree, the team also extracted a dye (hematoxylin), which is used in laboratories, primarily for dyeing fabrics. In the 18th century, the discovery of this dye revolutionised the textile industry because it provided, for the first time, an inexpensive way to dye wool black. Being natural, the dye has important applications in non-toxic products such as cosmetics, clothing, and children's toys.