NEWSLETTER

OUR MISSION:
Protect and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Charco del Ingenio, as well as maintain a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation and study of regional flora and ecosystems, mainly oriented towards environmental education.

INDEX

Vol. XXI, No 08

• TEMPORARY EXHIBITION: NATURAL DYES Possible Inks: Explorations with Natural Dyes and Pigments
• NEW GOLF COURSE PLANNED FOR ESTATE ADJACENT TO EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO
• ARTHROPODS: STARS OF THE SEASON
• PARQUE LANDETA: A NATURAL COMMUNITY SPACE
• “YOUTH BUILDING THE FUTURE”: A FEDERAL PROGRAM AT EL CHARCO
• NEW VIDEO
• Birdwatching at El Charco
• THANKS CHARCO: ACQUIRE OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
• NOTICE TO VISITORS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN
• EXPLORE OUR EDITORIAL CONTENT IN DIGITAL FORMAT
• NATURAL HISTORY TOURS:

Ultimately the living world will be saved by those who care deeply about particular places, who go to them for renewal, for a strengthening of the sense of their own identity. 

—Edward O. Wilson

By Rocío Ríos
Interpretive Hall

Through textiles and prints, pigment extraction processes, and preserved plant specimens, this exhibition invites a close look at color as a result of knowledge transmission, collective practices, and accessible, non-polluting technics. Natural dyes, the colors that have always been there, in your kitchen or garden, are presented not only as a form of artistic expression but also as a respectful relationship between nature and traditional knowledge. 

Late in 2025, outside investors announced plans to establish a golf course in San Miguel de Allende, a project promoted by renowned golfer Lorena Ochoa. Following a flurry of rumors and conflicting reports regarding the course's creation, details have finally emerged placing it on a large rural tract of land to the north, directly bordering El Charco del Ingenio Ecological Conservation Zone —the worst imaginable location. The municipal Urban Development Plan, which had previously designated the property as an area for ecological preservation, has been amended to allow a change in land use, paving the way for urbanization and the construction of the golf course.

It is important to note that a golf course requires a vast area planted extensively with exotic grass. This grass demands constant, intensive irrigation and the continuous application of over 10 chemical products, including fertilizers and toxic pesticides (such as glyphosate). The aim is to eliminate any native inhabitants —such as ants, bees, and other wild invertebrates—and, above all, to eradicate any vegetation other than the introduced grass, which has been genetically modified to withstand this cocktail of agrochemicals.

The introduction of the vast artificial landscape of the proposed golf course would result in severe environmental impacts for El Charco del Ingenio: ecosystem fragmentation, disruption of ecological processes (such as pollination and seed dispersal), and loss of biodiversity. Regarding water resources, the area's topography dictates that contaminated runoff —whether from irrigation or rainfall— on the site in question would inevitably flow into El Charco reserve, carrying a significant load of agrochemicals that would harm local wildlife.  

Furthermore, the project appears to disregard the issue of water availability. San Miguel relies on a vast groundwater source known as the Independencia Aquifer, which serves the northern and northeastern regions of Guanajuato state. This is one of the most overexploited aquifers in the country —a condition that directly affects the supply and quality of the water extracted from it. A new golf course would require enormous volumes of water for irrigation and would mean drilling new wells, all within a semi-arid zone already suffering from scientifically documented water stress. 

El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden publicly opposes the creation of this new golf course on the rustic property adjacent to the ecological reserve. We call upon the competent authorities to exercise restraint and good judgment, to prevent this destructive undertaking, and to take actions that support life and align with the ecological needs of our region.

See note, correo

With the rainy season, hordes of insects—such as flies and mosquitoes, which many people find quite bothersome—appear everywhere. Yet, we also begin to see many butterflies, ants, beetles, bees, wasps, and more. Why during the rains? Over millions of years of evolution, insects have discovered that the best time to breed and thrive is when food and water are most abundant; naturally, this occurs in our region when there is rainfall and pleasant temperatures. However, along with insects, other "little critters" appear—creatures that humans often mistakenly classify as insects but are not. These include arachnids (such as spiders and scorpions) and myriapods (such as centipedes and millipedes). What is the difference between them? The first and simplest distinction is the number of legs. While insects always have six legs (three on each side of the body), arachnids have eight, and myriapods can have hundreds (though never thousands, as their name might suggest). All these small creatures belong to a broad group known as arthropods, a term meaning "jointed-legged." Once again, they all play extremely important roles in the ecosystem, so we should respect them and avoid killing them senselessly. Are we willing to do so? artrópodos que quiere decir “con patas articuladas”. Nuevamente, todos ellos tienen funciones extremadamente importantes en el ecosistema, por lo que debemos respetarlos y evitar matarlos sin sentido. ¿Estamos dispuestos? 

This extensive park is located within municipal lands, on the northeastern edge of the city of San Miguel de Allende. Covering approximately 35 hectares on both sides of the Las Colonias Reservoir, it encompasses wetland areas, scrubland, and native woodlands. The park was an initiative of El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden, which received the land under a municipal loan agreement in 1994 and developed it as a natural park. The gradual and efficient restoration of the ecosystem allowed it to operate as an educational and recreational destination, complementing the Botanical Garden. In 2008, the loan agreement was terminated, and since then, the park has been under the management of the Municipality, with a section dedicated to the local nursery.

The whole park forms a core part of the Ecological Preservation Zone “El Charco del Ingenio and Surrounding Areas”, declared by the City Council and in force since 2006. This legal protection, as well as the persistent defense led by the Botanical Garden, has allowed the territorial and ecosystem integrity of the area to be maintained.

Over the years, this park has become a popular recreational destination, where a wide variety of people come to stroll, exercise, walk their dogs, or enjoy family gatherings. It is also the site of the annual Cruz del Charco celebration, a traditional festival that draws large crowds to the open air every July. 

Given the erratic management of the area by successive municipal administrations, Landeta Park has seen the growth of a spontaneous form of community ownership, in which diverse actors (residents, neighbors, students, athletes, artists, environmentalists) converge, united by a single purpose: the conservation, care, and improvement of the park. This interesting process began during the difficult times of the pandemic and has strengthened over the years. Today, we invite all lovers of Landeta Park to contribute ideas and actions to revitalize and nurture this magnificent natural space in San Miguel de Allende.

https://www.facebook.com/ParqueLandetaAmigos

he federal program Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro was created by the Mexican government in recent years in order to give young people from all over the country the opportunity to gain work experience and develop professional skills in real-world work environments. At the Botanical Garden, we currently have two scholarship recipients enrolled in this program, Marifer and Mili, working in the scientific and conservation areas. They participate in curatorial and herbarium activities, such as mounting and adding specimens, as well as data entry into databases. They also collaborate on key processes at the seed bank: transplanting, seed cleaning, and scheduled irrigation.

For our young scholarship recipients, this experience represents much more than training: it is an opportunity to discover their vocation, strengthen their discipline, take on responsibilities, and acquire specialized knowledge that can boost their academic or professional future. Their participation in the Garden contributes to the formation of new generations committed to science, the land, and the conservation of natural heritage.

Si conoces a un joven en busca de una oportunidad laboral invítalo a registrarse: https://jovenesconstruyendoelfuturo.stps.gob.mx

TWO WAYS TO CONNECT WITH NATURE, ONE PURPOSE

At the Botanical Garden, we offer two monthly birdwatching sessions, each tailored to a different audience but united by a common purpose: to foster a love for birds and support the conservation of this unique natural sanctuary.

• Session in Spanish
  Designed especially for the Spanish-speaking community, this free activity aims to expand opportunities for environmental education and to promote appreciation for the birdlife that inhabits our region.
• Session in English
  Geared toward English speakers, this session directly supports the garden’s conservation, education, and maintenance efforts.
  By joining, you’ll not only enjoy a meaningful and enriching experience you’ll also be actively contributing to El Charco del Ingenio’s mission to protect the biodiversity of this remarkable place.

Both sessions take place once a month. Check our schedule and join us!

Thank you for being part of a community that observes, protects, and values winged life.

Benefits:

• Free access For the cardholder 365 days a year during the established hours.
• Discounts On special events.
• Guests: The cardholder may bring two guests.
• Contribution: To a unique project that safeguards Mexico's biocultural heritage.

If you prefer to make a bank transfer or PayPal, please contact to elcharcocontabilidad@gmail.com

Activities and private classes in drawing, painting, photography, video (use of drones), that use equipment and occupy spaces in the Garden, as well as ceremonies of any type, require advance written permission from the Direction, via email: charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com

We appreciate your understanding.

One of the most meaningful ways to experience El Charco del Ingenio—and to support our conservation project—is by joining our Natural History Tours. These guided walks have been offered for many years, thanks to the dedication and knowledge of our extraordinary volunteers. With their extensive experience, they bring to life the history, plants, landscapes, and wildlife of the garden.

We are deeply grateful to them for sustaining this activity of interpretation and learning, which continues to connect visitors with the living heritage of this remarkable sanctuary.