OUR MISSION:
To preserve the natural and cultural heritage of El Charco del Ingenio, and maintain a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation and study of regional flora and ecosystems, with a primary focus on environmental education.

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

Vol. XVII, No 05

THE NEW RECEPTION OF EL CHARCO OPENS ITS DOORS…

With great satisfaction we inform all the visitors, members and friends of the Botanical Garden that, finally, after a long and eventful construction stage, the new Charco del Ingenio reception was inaugurated last February. This includes a new Interpretive Room, which offers, in an entertaining and substantial way, relevant content on the Charco del Ingenio ecological reserve, on the conservation project and on the hydrographic basin where the Botanical Garden is located. The new interpretive module, open to all audiences, is part of the educational mission of our organization, aimed at building a culture of love and care for the natural world, with special attention to the youngest population in our society.

The opening events were sealed by the ceremonial attendance of the San Miguel stewardships (mayordomías) from Ojo de Agua and Valle del Maíz indigenous communities, commited to preserve ancient traditions and have supporters since 1991 of El Charco del Ingenio bio-cultural heritage. The events also hosted members from the scientific and artistic communities, both local and national, strengthening the science-art conjunction in the Botanical Garden threefold mission: bio-cultural conservation, environmental education and scientific research.

The new reception of El Charco has been possible thanks to the confluence of many efforts: architects, engineers, museum designers, editors, interior designers, gardeners, iron workers, carpenters, etc., gathered in various work teams, as well as the contributions of numerous contributors that made this relevant project a reality. To all of them, infinite thanks (and an apology in advance for any possible omission).

CREDITS:

Architectural Concept
Pedro Alvarado · Marco Barrera Bassols · José María Bilbao · El Charco del Ingenio

Architectural Design
Pedro Alvarado · Studio 15B

Engineers and Work:
Jacinto Estrada · EMAG Ingeniería

Museum Design
Marco Barrera Bassols · MUSEUM

Landscapings:
El Charco del Ingenio · Louis Franke ·
Vivero Magueyes

Fountain Sculpture:
Eduardo Olbés

Gift Shop (Furniture)
Francisco Mota

Donors:

Montemiro · Gillian & Peter Neumeier Foundation · Community Foundation for Monterey · San Miguel Community Foundation · Hernán Drobny

Kahren & Michael Arbitman · Mark Deutschmann · Regine & François Sicart · Susan Edelstein · Unitarian Universalist Fellowship · Vanguard Charitable · Maria & Goerdt Abel · Ronald Thomae

William Peters · Terry & Jack Reinhart · Francisco Ríos Jiménez · Richard Gullan · Linda Whyman · Barbara Erickson · Honey Sharp · Fisher Weisman · Andy Blair · William Lee Ginager · Carolyn Stutts · C. Jobe · Culp King · Christopher Hixson · Mónica Gerez · Carol Jackson · Margot Dufrene Ketz · Eduardo Adame · QR Minerales

Kenneth L. Hillenburg · Leon Horowitz · Stephen Livingstone · Michael Pope · Marilyn Link · Christine McReynolds · Jimena Giménez Cacho · Ray Miles · John Chapman · William Lipsey · Steven Goldstein · Joshua Ehrlich · Rod & Glenna Copeland · Alfredo Alcántara · Phyllis Pitluga · Ed Laun · Richard Mason · Joy Levine · Viktor Hackl · Mathew Carroll · Daniel Neuspiel · David Zi Enterprises · Richard Plewa · Luke Rich · Dale Braiman · Robert Merchasin · Gregory Diamant · Klaus Schmidt · Weston Young · Deborah Chlebana · George Yatskievych · Alberto González Varela · Emiliano Sánchez · Kathleen Sheperd · Naomi Zurcher

BOTANICAL GARDENS IN MEXICO

The knowledge and use of plants in our country dates back to the Pre-colombian cultures that developed an essential relationship with them and gave them endless uses: constructive, food, medicinal, craft, ornamental, hunting…

This knowledge survived colonization and became part of our biocultural heritage. The collections of Texcoco and Tenochtitlan of the Aztec empire were succeeded by the botanical and herbarium gardens during colonial rule and independent Mexico.

Mexico, a mega-diverse country, today has dozens of botanical gardens dedicated to the conservation and study of the natural world.

How many botanical gardens do you know? Visit El Charco Interpretive Room to meet the most representative ones of the country.

https://dgcii.conabio.gob.mx/jardines-botanicos/

EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO ASSUMES THE PRESIDENCY OF THE MEXICAN ASSOCIATION OF BOTANICAL GARDENS

Last February, during the annual assembly of the association that brings together and articulates the work of the botanical gardens of Mexico, El Charco del Ingenio was elected to occupy the Presidency of this important organization. In this way, we received from the Clavijero Ethnobotanical Garden, dependent on the Institute of Ecology that operates in Jalapa, Veracruz, the responsibility of leading the association for a period of three years.

Likewise, during the aforementioned assembly, the new Board of Directors of the Mexican Association of Botanical Gardens was voted unanimously, being organized as follows:
– President: M. in C. Mario A. Hernández, El Charco del Ingenio
– Administrative Secretary: M. en C. José Viccon, El Charco del Ingenio
– Administrative Secretary: Lic. Marisa Ávalos, El Charco del Ingenio
– Educational Secretary: M. in C. Carmen Cecilia Hernández, Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology of the UNAM, CDMX
– Scientific Secretary: M. en C. Erika Margarita Pagaza, Botanical Garden of Culiacán, Sinaloa
– Treasurer: C. P. Verónica Sagelín Hernández, El Charco del Ingenio
– Member at Large: Biol. Jesús Escalante, Botanical Garden of Los Mochis, Sinaloa
– Member at Large: Biol. Mónica Rivas Avendaño, Haravéri Botanical Garden, Jalisco
– Member at Large: M. in C. Hermes Lacustre, Cassiano Conzatti Botanical Garden, Oaxaca

The new appointments make up a diverse and qualified team for the tasks of the Association and its representation in Mexico and abroad. And it also places the state of Guanajuato as a biodiverse territory, recognizing the trajectory of El Charco Ethnobotanical Garden during its 30 years of existence.

THOSE LIZARDS YOU SEE RUNNING

With the change of season, many animals that had remained hidden due to their biological characteristics resurface. One of these is the striped or whiptail lizard (Aspidoscelis gularis). It is a reptile of the Teiidae family, which is characterized by its very long body and tail and its forked tongue, like that of snakes (although thicker).

These lizards usually move in small steps on the ground sticking out their tongues and “smelling” the traces left by the small insects and arachnids that are usually their food. It is possible to observe them in this work, very concentrated, if one stays still; but at the slightest movement, they will run so fast that only a small cloud of dust can be perceived behind them and the sound of their passage through the dry grass.

Fortunately, these interesting little lizards are still common (perhaps because of their escape velocity), in a wide geographic area from New Mexico and Texas to Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and Veracruz. Their importance lies in the fact that they are very important controllers of crawling insects, such as cockroaches, crickets, spiders, worms, etc. Thanks to them we do not have a plague of these bugs in our houses… Help us to conserve them, respecting them as beings that share this world with us. So no slingshots or throwing stones at them for fun.

THE NEW CHARCO VISITOR GUIDE

The new design of this guide – in Spanish and English – allows the visitor to explore and discover the spacious area of the botanical garden and access magnificent views of the natural monument which is El Charco del Ingenio. The guide contains a suggested tour and shows a network of trails, accessible and guarded, in addition to offering information about the various points of interest in the reservation: exhibitions of plants, viewpoints, sanctuaries of birds, historical ruins …

ABOUT FLOWERS AND ETHNOBOTANY: PATOL OR COLORÍN

In the north and northwest of Guanajuato, a deciduous tree known as patol or colorín (Erythrina americana) can be found. It is distributed mainly in low and medium forests. It reaches a height of 6 meters or more, and has multiple ornamental and medicinal uses. The wood is soft and is used to carve masks, handicrafts and religious images.

Its flowers are highly valued in Mexican cuisine for various stews, but not before removing the stamens that would give a bitter taste. From the non-edible seeds (similar to “beans” but red in color) necklaces and bracelets are made.
During this season we recommend observing its flowering in El Charco Pollinator Garden.

BIOCULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE GUANAJUATENSE SEMI-DESERT: DOCUMENTARY

PREMIERE!

How are 5 communities of the Guanajuato semi-desert related to the native plants of their region? Find out in this documentary an audiovisual summary of participatory research over a year for the conservation of Mexico’s biocultural heritage. It was carried out thanks to the collaboration between El Charco and the National Council of Science and Technology, within the Project: “Establishment of an Ethnobotanical Garden in the State of Guanajuato”

THE NEED TO COEXIST

We have taken this picture where we can see 2 Bearded Caracaras, avocets and ducks enjoying the cool shade provided by the wetland vegetation. Resident and migratory birds, birds of prey and aquatic birds in the same space. We feel lucky to have captured this image, an example of peaceful coexistence among wild birds.

KINDLY REMINDER TO OUR MEMBERSHIP

We ask all members to carry their credential and register in the entrance book every time they visit the Botanical Garden.

Thank you for your support!

NATURAL HISTORY TOURS ARE BACK

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am – in English
Tickets are 150pesos for non-members and 100p for members
Don’t forget your face mask, please.

SOUL GIFTS, MUSICAL GIFTS: THANK YOU, MICHAEL HOPPÉ

En ocasiones resultan conmovedoras las formas en que personajes y sectores It is very moving to see the ways in which people and sectors of our community support El Charco del Ingenio, a territory that has given peace, joy and nature to its users and visitors during the months of the pandemic.

Michael Hoppé is a recognized composer and musical producer, born in the United Kingdom and inhabitant of San Miguel since the 80s. He is an active member of the Botanical Garden, who recently has offered a lovely gift to El Charco, inspired by the daily walks he realizes on the trails of the reservation, in the company of his wife.Monica. The work, Under Mexican Stars is a musical piece that can go back to the most beautiful landscapes of Mexico or a night walk through the cobblestone streets of San Miguel.

Listen here:

SCIENCE AND ART IN THE BOTANICAL GARDEN
NEW SET OF 12 POSTCARDS: BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF EL CHARCO

Graphic work of four creative women from San Miguel de Allende:
Marijose Marín, Marisol Guerrero, Paquina Langenscheidt and Rocío Ríos
Available in our gift shop: 300 pesos

NEWSLETTER