Monte Mojino Fund
Securing the conservation of the rainforest in southern Sinaloa
The Project
The Monte Mojino Fund aims to support local mechanisms for the payment of environmental services (PSA) through concurrent funds from the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR, acronym in Spanish) in the Monte Mojino region, in the south of Sinaloa to ensure the conservation of the sub-deciduous and deciduous tropical forest.
Context
The endowment fund for the Monte Mojino region was established in 2010 by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT, acronym in Spanish) through the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the Fondo de Infraestructura Hidráulica de Sinaloa, and FMCN.
In 2012, Conselva, Costas y Comunidades began implementing the project, seeking to maintain environmental services through training, conservation, and management actions agreed upon with the population of La Guásima, municipality of Concordia in Sinaloa.
In 2023, under the same line, Conselva, Costas y Comunidades began to work with the population of Tepuxta to ensure the conservation of green infrastructure to reduce the water vulnerability of the city of Mazatlán and Distrito de Riego 111.
The lines of work that guide the actions of the Monte Mojino Fund are:
- Operation of a compensation mechanism for local inhabitants.
- Improvement of soil retention and reduction of soil erosion.
- Improvement of the condition of ecosystems and "flagship" species.
- Operation of an effective monitoring program.
The endowment fund for the region known as Monte Mojino was established in 2010.
Achievements
The Monte Mojino Fund project has achieved the recovery and conservation of the environmental services provided by ecosystems in an area of 2,224 hectares, also promoting sustainable management in the total of 7,880 hectares of the agrarian core. This approach includes continuous training on environmental services for community members. A survey carried out in 2021 showed that 100% of the people interviewed consider caring for their forests to be essential and perceive an increase in vegetation in their community territory.
In 2022, the agreement with CONAFOR concluded regarding payment for environmental services (PSA) supported by the Monte Mojino Fund in La Guásima. For ten consecutive years, the project channeled public funds in collaboration with CONAFOR through concurrent funds, achieving a reduction in environmental crimes. Derived from the completion of the agreement and together with the community, Conselva, Costas y Comunidades promoted the creation of a community fund that will ensure the continuity of participatory environmental surveillance and the promotion of sustainable, productive projects. At the same time, it continues with support through training and technical assistance in conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems.
In 2023, a second agreement with CONAFOR for PSA began through concurrent funds, led again by Conselva, Costas y Comunidades in the community of Tepuxta. However, this new agreement presents a different approach: in La Guásima, the objective was to ensure the conservation of areas with high biological value, while in Tepuxta, the aim is to ensure the conservation of green infrastructure to reduce the water vulnerability of the city of Mazatlán and Distrito de Riego 111.
That same year, a young leader from the Tepuxta community was selected and trained to be a community technician. He received three training sessions that will allow him to apply tools and methods to prepare the annual operational plan of the project, carry out good technical and administrative management of the PSA, strengthen community governance, and install and operate the monitoring system in a demonstration plot established in the community. This young man will be a crucial piece and a primary link between the community and Conselva, Costas y Comunidades for implementing this initiative.
Allies
Partners:
- Conselva, Costas y Comunidades
- National Commission of Natural Protected Areas
- National Forestry Commission