Biocultural and Environmental Education and Training as a strategy for adaptation to climate change in response to limited water resources in communities
Organization: Consejo Ecoregional Sierra Tarahumara, A.C.
Country: Mexico
Other Organizations Involved:
- The Christensen Fund Ecología y Comunidad Sustentable A.C.,
- National Commission on Natural Protected Areas Pronatura Noroeste,
- Inter-American Development Bank,
- Urique Municipal Government,
Background
This proposal originated in communities, growing out of a community consultation process on adaptability and strategies in response to climate change. Community members identified water shortages and the deterioration of areas along rivers as two of the main problems experienced in the region.
Goals
Through biocultural and environmental education, communities are being trained in techniques for conserving and restoring areas along rivers, with the establishment of aquatic conservation areas, enhanced by family-level storage tanks and rainwater purification equipment, as a strategy for mitigating climate change effects.
Main activities
Community workshops, participative monitoring, work sessions with traditional authorities, restoration of areas along rivers, designation of aquatic areas for moral conservation, regulations and management plans for conservation areas, and installation of rainwater harvesting systems.
Results
- 12 cultural promoters trained in environmental education and conservation of water resources and biodiversity;
- 100 local residents trained in and committed to conserving areas along rivers;
- 1 geographic information system for verifying gradual changes;
- 2 aquatic areas for moral community conservation;
- 1 traditional management plan for each conservation area;
- 20 rainwater storage tanks and water filtering systems.