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 09

• GROWING PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO GOLF COURSE NEXT TO EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO
• NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS DAY
• EXPOSICIÓN TEMPORAL ¡ÚLTIMAS SEMANAS!
• 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

Since the 2025 announcement of plans by outside investors —backed by renowned golfer Lorena Ochoa— to build a new golf course in San Miguel de Allende (which already has three of them), various sectors of society have consistently voiced their refusal to the project. This opposition intensified last August when the aimed location was revealed: a large tract of land bordering the northern edge of the El Charco del Ingenio Ecological Zone. It also came to light that the municipal Urban Development Plan (PMDUOET 20-40) —which had previously designated the site as an area for ecological conservation— had been modified in 2021 through deceptive and illegal means. The use of soil classification was changed to high-density urban development, thereby paving the way for the new golf course initiative.

Public opposition to the project took concrete form in a Change.orgpetition launched by a young woman from San Miguel; by early September, it had already garnered over 20,000 signatures. The reasons for such strong opposition are clear. The vast expanse of exotic turf required for a golf course —demanding constant, intensive irrigation and the continuous application of fertilizers and various pesticides— would result in toxic runoff flowing into the ecological reserve. The introduction of such a large artificial landscape would cause serious environmental impacts, including ecosystem fragmentation, the disruption of ecological flows, and severe biodiversity loss. And, of course, there is the issue of water: the Independencia Aquifer supplying the municipality, is severely overexploited —a condition that directly affects the quantity and quality of the water extracted from it. A new golf course would require massive volumes of water for irrigation and new wells in a semi-arid zone already suffering from scientifically documented water stress. 

El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden celebrates the determined community mobilization opposing the golf course, hoping the developers behind this ill-advised initiative will heed the growing public opposition and acknowledge the project's lack of water and ecological viability. Furthermore, it calls upon the municipal government not to authorize the project under any circumstances, given the heritage value and characteristics of our local landscape.

Join the Change.org citizen initiative!  https://bit.ly/3T8zLMp

Saturday, September 19
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Free entrance

Botanic gardens are spaces where we can pause and observe what is happening around us. 
Botanic gardens have a voice; they observe, document, and highlight the threats to the diversity of life forms. The Mexican Association of Botanic Gardens (AMJB), Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), and El Charco del Ingenio Botanic Garden invite you to celebrate National Botanic Gardens Day on September 19 in San Miguel de Allende. 
To participate, simply register at the reception desk. 
View the program. 
Welcome!

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

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. 

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.