Community Forestry

Historically, Michoacán's mountainous landscape was lush with forests of oyamel, pine, and cedar trees. Over time, as commercial farming and timber demand increased, much of this land was clear-cut. Indigenous communities and ejidos own much of the land, giving local people the right—and the ongoing ability—to work it. Communities cleared forests to plant food crops, raise livestock, and sell timber. Unfortunately, the mountainous region is unsuitable for long-term farming, and decades of deforestation have degraded soil quality, dried up water sources, and diminished farming productivity.

In response to this challenge, Forests for Monarchs partners with local communities to restore forests and promote sustainable forestry practices, ensuring the land again supports people, the environment, and wildlife, including the monarch butterfly.

How it Works

Community forestry is a collaborative approach to managing forest resources that empowers local communities to take an active role in forest conservation and sustainable land management. This model recognizes Indigenous peoples' and local stakeholders' rights and knowledge, allowing them to participate in decision-making processes regarding their forestlands. By engaging communities in the stewardship of their natural resources, community forestry promotes sustainable harvesting practices, enhances biodiversity, and strengthens local economies.

Through education and capacity-building initiatives, community forestry supports the sustainable use of forest resources and fosters a deeper connection between people and their environment. By prioritizing the community's needs, this approach helps protect vital ecosystems, improve livelihoods, and ensure the long-term health of both the forest and the people who depend on it. Community forestry is a powerful tool for environmental conservation, economic development, and social equity, creating resilient landscapes for future generations.

Supporting the Monarch Butterfly Habitat:

Reducing Pressure on Monarch Winter Habitat: Our restoration work in communities around the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve area eases the strain on the monarchs' wintering grounds. This support not only aids the butterflies but also conserves the unique oyamel fir forests they depend on.
Creating Rest Stops Along Migration Routes: The trees we plant serve as vital resting and feeding points for monarch butterflies on their migration journey, enhancing their survival and supporting our broader mission to conserve this iconic species.
Strengthening Ecosystem Services: Healthy, forested watersheds provide crucial ecosystem services, benefiting people and wildlife alike. They improve water quality, support pollinators, and create resilient landscapes that sustain life now and for future generations.

Why the Highland Lakes Watershed Region is a High Priority:

Protecting Water Resources: The Highland Lakes Watershed region supplies fresh water to local communities and wildlife, but deforestation has caused soil erosion, reduced water retention, and diminished water quality. By planting trees, we improve the watershed's ability to filter pollutants, stabilize soil, and regulate water flow, ensuring cleaner and more reliable water sources.
Combating Soil Erosion and Flooding: Our reforestation efforts stabilize the soil, reduce sediment runoff into lakes and rivers, and help prevent floods that can harm communities and damage infrastructure.
Restoring Biodiversity: The watershed region hosts a variety of endemic and migratory species that depend on forest habitats. Planting native trees restores biodiversity by providing essential shelter, food, and breeding grounds for many plants, animals, and insects, helping to rebalance local ecosystems.
Enhancing Climate Resilience: Forests in this region are crucial in capturing carbon and combating climate change. By restoring these areas, we boost the region's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, moderate local temperatures, and reduce the impact of extreme weather, making the landscape more resilient.

Training and Capacity Building

We provide education and resources to communities and landowners on sustainable forestry practices, including proper planting techniques, sustainable harvesting methods, waste management, and land stewardship. We also teach the importance of recycling materials and protecting young trees and plants from environmental threats.

Sustainable Use and Long-Term Impact

As these new forests mature, local communities benefit from sustainable harvesting. Timber can be used for cooking, heating, building materials, or sold as a source of income. By using sustainable forestry practices, these renewed forestlands will provide ongoing economic opportunities for today's participants and future generations.

Our Support: Empowering Communities for Lasting Change

Our organization is committed to empowering the communities we partner with by providing the necessary support to ensure long-term success.

This includes:

Tree Donations & Field Support

We supply tree seedlings and ongoing technical assistance, helping landowners manage their reforestation efforts more effectively. We also partner with forest management plans that align with sustainable harvesting practices, ensuring forests remain healthy for decades.

Educational Partnerships

We partner with schools at every level, from elementary through university, to promote environmental education and hands-on experience. Younger students participate in tree-planting activities and learn about forestry, sustainable land management, and proper waste management. University students gain practical skills by volunteering at our nurseries, where they engage in hands-on forestry work.

At the community level, we collaborate with local leaders to support education and outreach through sustainability talks and presentations, often held before planting events. These sessions empower communities with the knowledge and tools to manage their forests sustainably and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Triple Benefits: People, Planet, and Pollinators

Our community forestry model is designed with sustainability in mind, ensuring that it benefits not only the people but also the planet and local wildlife:

People:

Reforested areas provide communities with a reliable source of timber and other forest products. Sustainable harvesting creates economic opportunities without depleting natural resources. Reforestation also enhances the land for farming and grazing, fostering a healthier, more resilient environment for future generations. In addition, restored forests help improve public health by cooling the area, improving air quality, and supporting a healthier, more sustainable way of life.

Pollinators:

The reforestation of native species supports the monarch butterfly and other pollinators, which are crucial to the health of local ecosystems. Forests provide essential habitats for these species and contribute to maintaining the delicate balance of the surrounding environment. By restoring native forests, we reduce the demand on the habitats that monarchs and other pollinators rely on, protect vital forest microclimates, and help prevent desertification in the region. This holistic approach enhances the resilience of ecosystems, ensuring a thriving environment for pollinators and the communities that depend on them.

Through our community forestry program, we are rebuilding forests that will sustain local communities, rejuvenate the environment, and preserve biodiversity for years to come.

Programs Community Forestry