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.
Only a complete transformation of the global
economy and consumer habits could prevent a
climate catastrophe.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) of the UN, October 2018.
While the entrance area to the Botanical Garden is being remodelled, the gift shop, café and toilet have been temporarily moved to the multipurpose room known as the Boveda, in front of the Plaza of the Four Winds. The access door to the Garden and the vehicular parking area, however, remain the same for all users, and will always be attended by the staff of El Charco. Once inside the Garden, we recommend visitors start their tour from the new provisional reception in the Bóveda.
We appreciate the trust and patience of all those who have financially supported this renovation project of the Botanical Garden. And we hope to see the list of donors grow in the coming months, until we reach our goal. Thanks to (in chronological order of their contribution, as of January 31, 2019): Hernan Drobny, Peter & Gillian Neumeier, George Yatskievych, Richard Mason, Francisco Ríos Jiménez, Christine McReynolds, Margot Dufrene Ketz, Deborah Chlebana, Richard Plewa, William Lee Grinager, Karen Von Felten (In memoriam), Fisher Weisman, Carol Jackson, King Culp, Michael Pope, Rod & Glenna Copeland, Richard Gulland, Ed Lawn, David Ziff Entreprises, Kahren & Michael Arbitman, Alfredo Alcántara, Viktor Hackl, Terry & Jack Reinhart, William Peters, Honey Sharp, Gregory Diamant, Monica Gerez, Kathleen Sheperd, Jimena Giménez Cacho, Christopher Hixson, Alberto Gonzalez Varela, Eduardo Adame, Joy Levine, Ronnie Thomae , Goerdt and Maria Abel,Noami Zurcher and Francois and Regine Sicart, Pam Gould, Mark Deutschmann, Steven Goldstein. And a special thanks to San Miguel Community Foundation for the important contribution specifically granted for the creation of the Interpretation Center of the new project. Americans who would like a tax receipt, can donate to The San Miguel Community Foundation and put El Charco’s project on the memo line.
Donations can be made directly at the reception of the Botanical Garden or by bank transfer to:
El Charco del Ingenio AC
BBVA Bancomer
Account: 00136317251
Interbank Clabe: 012680001363172516
The names of the donors will be visible in the new center, in the form of a permanent recognition for their contribution.
For more information or to make tax-deductible donations, contact
ariascanal@gmail.com
With some regret and nostalgia, we began the dismantling of the large roof of the reception of the Botanical Garden, mainly covered with plant fibers. The roof was woven in a traditional way in 2001 by Antonio Herrera –a veteran in the Charco team--, using a plant known locally as Romerillo (Viguiera linearis) from the Asteraceae family. A very abundant shrub in El Charco and in the region, Romerillo is part of the scrub ecosystem and blooms at the end of the rains. Similar to a grass, with hard and resinous fibers, it has been used in vernacular architecture since pre-colombian times by different ethnic groups that populated the region, due to the duration and resistance it offers. There were some roofs in San Miguel made of this material, until a few years ago, which gradually disappeared with the onslaught of time and modernity... After 18 years of sun, heat, frost, wind, rain and even hail, the roof of the Charco reception has resisted quite well. But like everything, our beloved Romerillo roof in El Charco met its end.
On March 7 and 8, the 6th Monarch Butterfly International Symposium took place in Toluca in the State of Mexico. In this meeting, important researchers, authorities and international and national social actors exchanged knowledge and experiences related to the migratory phenomenon of the monarch butterfly, emphasizing the importance of pollinators for the conservation of biodiversity.
Given our participation during the months of October and November in the monitoring of the migratory flow of the monarch butterfly in San Miguel de Allende, we were invited as representatives of society and Natural Protected Areas in Guanajuato to share our experience in monitoring and results, adding efforts to the tri-national initiative (Canada, USA and Mexico) for the conservation of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and the ecosystems that it visits during its trip.
It is important to mention that over the years, the work of scientific research and the support of citizen science has generated relevant information on pollinating gardens with native plants in urban areas. This requires avoiding exotic or "fashionable" species, which require a specific soil type or water consumption different from the natural environment. During the symposium, emphasis was placed on inviting citizens to participate with records through the Naturalista digital platform, which informs us about the tree species where the butterfly comes to sleep, which flowers it feeds on and its interaction with other living beings, from insects to the birds that eat them. It is basic information for the conservation of ecosystems and the perpetuity of one of the most impressive migratory flows in the world --and which we can yearly appreciate in San Miguel during the months of October and November.
The new year has brought renewal in the Botanical Garden, which not only has to do with the public facilities but also with the staff that gives life to the natural area every day. Some members of the team, whose daily work for years has shaped this unique natural conservation project, now say goodbye to start new adventures. And new people come to occupy their positions to move forward with El Charco del Ingenio’s great task.
The Cardon is one of the most abundant native cacti in El Charco del Ingenio. Its vertical stem has a diameter of 8-15 cm and reaches up to 3 meters in height. They are surmounted by branches horizontal or hanging cladodes, covered by whitish spines provided with invisible barbs difficult to extract from the skin. The flowers are purple pink; they sprout at the end of the leaves during the Summer, followed by yellow and oval fruits, sometimes forming chains.
Its bristly leaves offer shelter to various animals, including a bird (Campylorhyncus bunneicapillus), which usually builds its nest on top of the plant.
This species is found throughout the Chihuahuan desert, from central Mexico to the southern United States. It has been used by humans for various purposes, such as food (acidy fruit as a condiment and even the leaves) and medical (muscle aches, wounds and ear problems); the sticky sap serves as glue and the thorny pads were used in pre-Colombian initiation ceremonies. Today, the attractive internal skeleton of its stems is used to make lamp bases and other handicrafts.
This plant is found abundantly in El Charco’s drier areas.
A great way to help the Botanical Garden, is to share with your friends and family this newsletter, as well as the notes we publish on social networks and, of course, your love for this important space for the entire San Miguel community.
Thank you very much for your support!
Science has helped us to solve many questions that have assisted with the understanding of our environment and the survival of the human race. Now more than ever it is necessary that scientific knowledge be popularized to take action on the problems that involve us all.
The scientific cafes are spaces to talk and think about science while we share a pleasant moment. In each session, a guest expert introduces the topic of their specialty through a talk with everyday language, which is then discussed with the audience. This activity is carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of expanding or updating the knowledge of a non-specialist but interested public. Throughout the year, we will be inviting everyone to enjoy a good coffee and science in the Botanical Garden.
On this occasion, Dr. Juan Pablo Torres Papaqui and Lauren Melissa Torres Flor, from the Department of Astronomy of the University of Guanajuato, will visit El Charco to talk about the scientific project: A space greenhouse!
Come to learn about the development of the plants and what would happen if we could grow them outside planet Earth Do not forget to bring your coffee cup!
Visit the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, the Scented Garden and the canyon, archeological ruins and much more. We recommend you wear sunscreen, and bring a hat.
Don’t forget the free transportation from town to El Charco on these days.
School groups require prior reservation: charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com
Ask about our discounts.
Throughout its existence, El Charco has published several books and pamphlets in Spanish and English, on flora and natural resources of the reserve and the region of San Miguel de Allende. To these, other publications by researchers and scientific institutions on related subjects have been added. All are issues of great interest and quality, and are on sale at the Gift Shop.
Click on the book for more information about it.
Come check out our new temporary facilities, while enjoying nature.
We have moved to the Boveda! We will see you there.
BRING YOUR THERMOS OR WATER BOTTLE, which can be filled for free from the wáter fountain near the reception/café.
El Charco del Ingenio is plastic bottle free zone, and, for obvious reasons, they are not sold on site since they become garbage, rarely recycled, representing an unnecesary expense for the user and a benefit for the corporations that exploit groundwater.
