This Sunday, June 14, we launched the 19th Social Reforestation Campaign in the Jovel Valley Watershed. The Jovel Valley Watershed Committee, through its partner organizations—Citizens for Territorial Action in the Jovel Valley Watershed, A.C.; Your Forest, A.C.; Pronatura Sur, A.C.; Gardens for Pollinators and Birds; IMSUS Collective; SIMIO, A.C.; and the City Council of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, through its Department of Ecology, gathered for the kickoff of the 19th Social Reforestation Campaign, in which more than 100 volunteers—most of whom are residents of the city of San Cristóbal de Las Casas—participated.
This year, the campaign is being held in honor of the life of Don Alejandro Ruíz, “Don Alex,” as many knew him. Don Alex dedicated much of his life to reforestation and restoration efforts in the Jovel Valley watershed, passing on not only his vast and valuable knowledge of Chiapas’s forests but also his passion and dedication to restoring degraded areas and revitalizing the ecosystems where he grew up and raised his family. Therefore, as a tribute, the slogan for this 19th campaign is:
The forest lives on, and Don Alex’s legacy continues and grows.
Enthusiasm, willingness, and a desire to connect with the forest were the most important factors that enabled us to gather at 7:30 a.m. on the plaza in front of the Church of Guadalupe and set off in a caravan toward Jopajaltón, Chamula, where the landowners warmly welcomed us.
In total, we planted 600 trees of various forest species—including ash, oak, and holm oak—sourced from the Your Forest and Pronatura nurseries.
The participation of volunteers ranging in age from 5 months to 76 years old demonstrated once again that the forest unites us, that we care about it, and that we want to continue taking action to ensure its conservation and well-being.
Some of the sponsors who have supported this campaign in various ways include: Grupo Prosur, Materiales de Los Altos, El Caldero, Panadería Fátima, ECOSUR, Niluyarilo, Antel, Kalamar, Simi-Planeta, Funerales Rosales, Stalel, Suprema Radio, Materiales El Constructor, and Ecodental. We thank them for their commitment, genuine interest, and participation in making this campaign a reality.
We will continue holding these reforestation events every Sunday from June through September 2026.
Joining us is very simple:
Come to the Guadalupe Church at 7:30 a.m. Bring water, a hat, comfortable shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, and—if you’d like—some food to share.
At the end of the day, our partners and sponsoring companies treat all participants to a delicious breakfast of chicharrón and cheese tacos, coffee, and bread.
More than just a reforestation event, it is an experience that leaves a lasting impression on our minds, hearts, and, of course, the forests of the Jovel Valley Basin.
