MEXICO: SIERRA GORDA

Project Summary

Living within the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, 100,000 people spread out over 638 small communities rely on the biological diversity the forests provide. However, the area had been threatened by unregulated development, logging, and extensive cattle ranching.

With 97% of the reserve privately or communally owned by locals, this project distributes small trees directly to the community members. They make the decisions on where to plant the saplings guided by experts they trust. Today, Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve serves as a globally celebrated model of conservation and grassroots reforestation.

March through November

Planting period

350,000

Number of trees to be planted

Active

Status

Region

The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO world heritage site located in Queretaro, Mexico covering nearly 400,000 hectares of rich, biodiverse forests. The forest hosts 15 vegetation types, and over 1,700 plant and animal species. The controlled harvest of wild products including pine nuts and aromatic herbs in the semidesert, such as, wild damiana and oregano provides essential work for communities.

Planting also includes the Mexican Fan Palm and Jacardana. The Mexican Fan Palm is a drought resistant, fast-growing tree that is easy to naturalize and reaches heights of nearly 100 feet. Jacardanas, another fast-growing tree, reaching heights of 40 feet, with beautiful flowers that attract bees and various species of native bird.

Community

With Grupo Ecologico Sierra Gordo, our project works with communities to build processes for sustainable harvesting of forest products. The project includes environmental education reaching students, teachers and parents, with the goal of training the next generation of leaders. Earth Festivals celebrate what’s been accomplished. Local and county authorities participate. Essential forest fire prevention strategies are developed in coordination with regional experts and leaders.

Biodiversity

The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve contains some of the highest biodiversity of any protected area in North America with microclimates that include cloud forests, deep tropical canyons and high-altitude peaks. The reserve boasts exceptionally high species counts, particularly for insects and migratory birds.

The Reserve is one of the few places where all six of Mexico's native felines—jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, and bobcat—live alongside the Mexican black bear. There are over 340 bird species including military macaws and green jays and about 800 butterfly species, accounting for nearly 30% of all butterfly species in Mexico.

Projects

US Tree Planting: Virginia

EARTHDAY.ORG’s tree planting in Virginia represents a project model that can be replicated in many locations nationwide.

Pairing an outdoor activity with classroom learning makes climate education tangible, personal and memorable, connecting the lesson to real-world actions. By using their own two hands, students not only contribute to their community, but deepen their understanding of ecosystems, the role of trees in carbon capture, and how local action can contribute to global change.

At Neabsco Elementary School in Woodbridge, Virginia, our team, led by a local tree expert and with the help of school kids, planted dozens of fruit trees around the school’s campus. Students learned about best practices for planting. Teachers integrated the project into their science and literacy lessons, teaching about the role of trees in combating climate change, improving air quality, and providing fresh fruit to eat.

Kessup Forest, Kenya

The Kessup Forest faces challenges driven by deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and climate change, leading to loss of biodiversity and vulnerability to natural disasters. Landslides and mudslides have become more frequent resulting in loss of lives, destruction of homes and roads, economic setbacks for vulnerable communities.

This project restores ecologically fragile zones with indigenous tree planting, fruit tree distribution, and agroforestry – addressing both environmental and socio-economic challenges. Our planting includes avocado, mango and other fruit trees as well as coffee to deliver nutrition, add income, improve food security and strengthen local economies.

Ogoki Forest, Canada

A major reforestation effort is underway in the Ogoki Forest of Northwestern Ontario, where the planting of three million trees will begin the processing of restoring native lands devastated by wildfires. A mix of native spruce and pine seedlings are being planted in areas where natural regeneration is limited, helping to strengthen ecological resilience and protect wildlife habitat for species such as caribou, wolverine, and marten.

The new trees will also sequester carbon and reduce the risk of future wildfires by encouraging healthy forest regeneration. With thousands of seedlings already planted, this large-scale effort aims to bring back biodiversity and combat climate change.

Rainforests of Madagascar

During 2025, our project successfully planted 100,000 native trees representing 85 species, including trees important for lemur habitat. Current projects take place between Kianjavato and Vatovavy, home to 750,000 people and a unique array of animal species. Planting efforts primarily focus on trees that are native to the region and include commercial crops such as coffee and clove.

This style of agroforestry helps maintain natural systems while contributing to local village economies. In addition to tree planting, investigations into illegal poaching and timber farming are supported through project contributions.

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Earth Day and its partner in Morocco have embarked a three-year initiative to plant 200,000 fruit trees across seven earthquake-affected communes in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. This project integrates reforestation, renewable energy solutions, community empowerment, and youth climate education to restore livelihoods, strengthen climate resilience, and foster sustainable development.

With the loss of irrigation infrastructure due to earthquakes, local farmers are struggling to sustain their income. Women and girls, who traditionally fetch water and care for household gardens, are particularly burdened, intensified by the lack of clean water. In addition to tree planting, the program will install solar-powered wells equipped with drip irrigation systems to maximize water efficiency and ensure tree survival.

Sundarbans, India

Mangroves are crucial coastal ecosystems that protect coastlines from erosion and flooding. They serve as vital nurseries for marine life, filter pollutants to maintain water quality, and store up to four times more carbon than tropical rainforests. Degradation of The Sundarbans ecosystem, now being hastened by global warming, has resulted in huge losses of mangrove cover.

Since 2023, EARTHDAY.ORG has planted over three million mangroves in the Sundarbans and plans to plant 3 million more. This project supports the community – providing natural resilience to a disaster-prone region, biodiversity conservation, economic stimulus for local workers, and potential for carbon sequestration at scale.

Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania

Since the mid-1900’s the area surrounding Lake Tanganyika has seen large growth in the human population, posing potential threats to the ancient ecosystem. Forests near Lake Tanganyika are being cleared for farming at rapid rates. EARTDAY.ORG and its local partners have planted 50,000 trees around Lake Tanganyika each year since 2021 and is currently planting 250,000 more.

Eleven species are being planted, chosen by local experts. Planting fruit trees in Tanzania is a vital strategy for improving food security, generating sustainable income, and preventing deforestation. Planting fruit trees provides both food and additional revenue.

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