Introducing the Floresta Mexico Program
Newest Photos from Mexico - February 2002
Photos from the Credit Program - October 2001
Overview:
Floresta is working in partnership with the Mexican nonprofit organization, MIDEM.
The program is centered among the Mixtec Indians of Oaxaca (Wah-hah-ka).
The goal is to establish an agroforestry revolving loan fund similar to that in the Dominican Republic.
Oaxaca:
Oaxaca is in the southern part of Mexico, just west of Chiapas. Oaxaca has a very large number of indigenous people groups and the largest number of unreached people groups in the Americas. The largest portion of migrant workers and illegal immigrants coming into the United States originate from Oaxaca. Oaxaca has thousands of acres of beautiful forest, and a severe deforestation and erosion problem. Oaxaca is the poorest state in Mexico.
Our Progress So Far:
An intensive multi-disciplinary study involving Floresta and a team of Mexican professionals and university professors has been completed. The study was designed to diagnose the problems in the area and look for ways in which economic development and environmental restoration could be mutually reinforcing.
The results of the study have been presented to the community through several seminars.
Nine prototype farms have been started in three different villages. The farms incorporate agroforestry techniques, living barriers to prevent erosion, and fruit trees.
The community of El Oro in the municipality of Santo Domingo Nuxaa has elected a four member Agroforestry Development Committee to work with Floresta in planning for their community.
Several follow-on programs such as a forestry management plan and a reforestation program are envisioned.