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Newsletter September 2022

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. XVII, No. 09

THE NEW RECEPTION OF THE CHARCO

The new Charco del Ingenio reception unit, inaugurated last February, is visited and admired by a growing number of visitors. This unit includes a store of artistic and artisanal objects, mostly made by producers from our municipality and the region, as well as a cafeteria and juice bar that offers simple and healthy food and drinks. A new Interpretive Room stands out in the reception unit, which exhibits, in an entertaining and substantial way, relevant content on the ecological reserve and ethnobotanical garden of Charco del Ingenio, on the environmental conservation project and on the hydrographic basin where the park is located. garden and the city of San Miguel. 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 new reception of El Charco has been possible thanks to the confluence of many wills: architects, engineers, museographers, editors, designers, gardeners, blacksmiths, 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:

ARCHITECTONIC PROGRAM
Peter Alvarado · Marco Barrera Bassols · Jose Maria Bilbao · El Charco del Ingenio

ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT
Peter Alvarado · Studio 15B

ENGINEERING AND WORKS
Hyacinth Estrada · EMAG Engineering

MUSEOGRAPHY
Marco Barrera Bassols · MUSEUM

GARDENING
El Charco del Ingenio · louis franke ·
Maguey Nursery

STORE (FURNITURE)
Francisco Motta

SCULPTURAL FOUNTAIN
Eduardo Olbes

DONORS:

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

Kahren & Michael Arbitman · Mark Deutschmann · Regine & Francois Sicart · susan edelstein · Unitarian Universalist Fellowship · Vanguard Charitable · Maria & Goerdt Abel · Ronald Thomas

William Peters · Terry & Jack Reinhart · Francisco Rios Jimenez · Richard Gullan · Linda Whyman · Barbara Erickson · Honey Sharp · Fisher-Weisman · Andy Blair · William Lee Ginager · Carolyn Stutts · C Jobe · Guilt King · Christopher Hixson · Monica Gerez · carol jackson · Margot Dufrene Ketz · Eduardo Adame · QR Minerals

Kenneth L. Hillenburg · Leon Horowitz · Stephen Livingstone · Michael Pope · Marilyn Link · Christine McReynolds · Jimena Gimenez Cacho · Ray Miles · John Chapman · William Lipsey · Steven Goldstein · Joshua Ehrlich · Rod & Glenna Copeland · Alfredo Alcantara · Phyllis Pitluga · Ed Laun · Richard Mason · Joy Levine · Victor Hackl · Matthew Carroll · Daniel Neuspiel · David Zi Enterprises · Richard Plewa · Luke Rich · Dale Braiman · Robert Merchasin · Gregory Diamond · klaus schmidt · Weston Young · Deborah Chlebana · George Yatskievych · Alberto González Varela · Emiliano Sánchez · Kathleen Sheperd · Naomi Zurcher · Coleen and Norman Bessman

WOMEN AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY: CONACYT PROJECT

In the community of Montecillo de la Milpa, located in the municipality of San Miguel de Allende, a series of accompanying workshops have initiated towards the formation of a cooperative society in this rural area. In the first workshop, 11 women begin a process of exploring digital tools and designing business strategies collectively, all within a framework of solidarity and cooperative values.

The solidarity economy workshops in Montecillo de la Milpa address important issues on the social dimension, network dimension, communication skills, innovation, socio-affective skills, resolution of social and business conflicts.

The workshops aim is to strengthen the rescue of ancestral knowledge linked to traditional herbalism, while guiding actions to strengthen a local economy based on the conservation and sustainable use of the flora of their local environment.

CONTINUATION OF THE ÑAÑÚ LANGUAGE AND CULTURE PROGRAM IN CRUZ DEL PALMAR

With great enthusiasm from the community and El Charco team, this program continues by Dr. Ewald Hekking and M.Sc. Aurelio Núñez, researchers from the Autonomous University of Queretaro.

Sponsored by the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), as part of the project "Consolidation of an Ethnobiological Garden of Guanajuato", this course aims to educate people from Otomi communities of San Miguel Allende in the Ñañú language and sensitize participants about the value and importance of this native language, which is part of the cultural heritage of the community.

Each session is aimed at knowing and learning the standardized writing system of ñañú, its basic grammar and the dialectal variants of the different regions of this language, as well as relevant aspects of the history, culture and worldview of the Otomi people.

EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO: MEMBER OF BOTANIC GARDEN CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL (BGCI)


Since 2005, El Charco del Ingenio has been part of Botanical Garden Conservation International the largest network of botanical gardens and plant conservation experts in the world. Based in London,, England, this organization brings together a large number of botanical gardens in more than 100 countries. Its mission is to link members to create global participatory strategies in order to ensure plant diversity, for the well-being of people and the planet.

In a country like Mexico, whose geography comprises an enormous biotic wealth, botanical gardens play a fundamental role in the knowledge and conservation of biocultural heritage.

PROPAGATED SPECIMENS OF THE BOTANICAL COLLECTION: ferocactus echidne

Cactus endemic to Mexico known as golden barrel (biznaga barril espinosa), with cylindrical stems, grows solitary reaching heights of up to 35 cm and a diameter of up to 20 cm. It has about 13 sharp ribs with thin needle-shaped amber spines. The flowers are funnel-shaped, yellow or red in color and appear at the apex of the stems. 

It needs plenty of light to develop its typical spine, is tolerable to mild frosts, and grows well in rich, well-drained soil, such as clay, pumice, lava sand, or with just a little organic matter, but it's not picky about soil. Seeds are their only form of reproduction.

During September we will have a special sale of 2 plants for 100 pesos.

Each purchase means an aid to the conservation of Mexican vegetation.

NATURALIST CURIOSITY: INSECTS

Insects are the most numerous and diverse group of animals that inhabit the planet and are a fundamental part of natural and agricultural ecosystems, fulfilling different ecological functions.

From the month of April until the end of September, they can be observed more frequently. While some are considered pests for the damage they cause within green areas, backyard, gardens and crops, many others help maintain an ecological balance and regulate the reproduction of other insects that, if proliferated, can become pests.

A large part of this group is the squad of pollinators are dedicated to carrying pollen to other flowers, allowing fertilization that results in the production of a fruit. 

We invite readers to visit the Botanical Garden, where they will be able to observe the common characteristics of this animal group, as well as their life cycles and different ecological functions.  

KIND REMINDER TO OUR MEMBERSHIP

We ask all members to carry their membership card and register in the entrance book each time they visit the Botanical Garden.

Respect for El Charco del Ingenio and the people who collaborate daily in our areas is very important.

NATURAL HISTORY TOURS IN ENGLISH ARE BACK

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am

Ticket: 150 pesos per person / 100 pesos members

Don't forget your mouth cover!

ROUTE FOR FRIENDS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN: THE TREES OF CHARCO DEL INGENIO

Saturday September 10 / 10am / in Spanish

 Free admission

Duration: 1 hour  

Group closing: 10:10am

This visit through the main paths of the Garden, guided by an expert, allows you to discover and admire specimens of the main trees and shrubs that live and grow in the nature reserve. To participate, all you have to do is arrive on time and register on the entry list.

It is necessary to bring a hat and a lot of curiosity to learn about the native plants of the semi-desert. Welcome!

Soul gifts, musical gifts: Thank you, Michael Hoppé

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 takes you back to the most beautiful landscapes of Mexico or a night walk through the cobblestone streets of San Miguel. Beneath Mexican Stars (Under the Mexican stars), is a musical piece that can take us back to the most beautiful landscapes of Mexico or to a night walk through the cobbled streets of San Miguel. Beneath Mexican Stars (Under the Mexican stars), is a musical piece that can take us back to the most beautiful landscapes of Mexico or to a night walk through the cobbled streets of San Miguel.

Listen here:

ART AND SCIENCE 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