FLOWERING NOPALES

While we may be living through the dry season right now, several species of the Mexican semi-desert are splendidly flowering at El Charco, especially the nopal plants  --these extensive and emblematic cacti in Mexico.  There are many species from this genera (Opuntia) that grow spontaneously in the reserve.   Sometimes even experts have a hard time identifying some of them because of the hybrids created by cross pollination, coming out with innumerable sub-species and varieties.  People in the countryside distinguish them based on stems, flowers and fruits, especially when they are edible. So they give them names, as those in El Charco: tapona with its big, round and blueish stems; hartón, very spiny with yellow flowers and delicious fruit;  chamacuero, orange flowers and green long stems; pelón, few spines, large sweet fruit; xoconostle, acidy fruit used in sauces and in cooking; camuesa, the best of the fruit, and so on: cuijo, duraznillo, redondo, aguamielo, negrito…

Besides this world of species and varieties growing naturally in the reserve, there are all the nopales in the botanical collection that have been gathered from the countryside or donated by other institutions such as the Botanical Garden of the National University. These are exhibited in various places in El Charco but especially in the Opuntia Garden near the Conservatory, where many Mexican species are represented. This sample garden dedicated to Mexican nopales was made possible thanks to the support of local resident George Michelson, and the scientific advise from botanist Lia Sheimbar, researcher at the UNAM Botanical Garden.

WORKSHOP: MAKE CREAMS FROM MEDICINAL PLANTS

Saturday, May 19th |  10a.m-2p.m. |   Paulina Gomez Palacio |  Bilingual 

350pesos general; 300pesos members |  materials included |   limited space

This workshop offers the opportunity to learn how to make natural creams from such plants as rosemary, sangregado (Jatropha dioica), and to study their identification, ecology, properties and use.  Paulina acquired knowledge of these plants while living in communities with teachers and naturists. She learned how to make creams and tinctures from women in Las Margaritas, in the highlands of San Luis Postosí.  She has experimented with oils and waxes that were recommended and using her own initiative.  She gives classes while still learning with people in Las Margaritas and El Catorce with the idea of starting alternative projects in the northern part of the State of San Luis Potosi.

For more information:  elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com

EL CHARCO'S RESEARCH CENTER ADVANCES

Despite the scarcity of funds --a serious problem for many non profits in town these days-- construction of our new space is approaching its completion.  Located near the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, this Center will be dedicated to various scientific studies, done by our own staff and with agreements with other scientific institutions both national and international.  The new Center –designed by architect Casilda Barajas– consists of a simple complex of buildings constructed with local material, appropriate for the landscape, sufficient for our purposes.  There is an office, an herbarium of regional plants, a lab, sleeping quarters for resident researchers and visitors, a room for the watchman, renovated kitchen and bathroom –all of which will run on solar energy.  This Research Center marks a new stage for the Botanical Garden, allowing us to optimize the management of the collection, the propagation of species, and to initiate studies in various fields (taxonomy, biology, ecology, ethnobotany).

FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES IN EL CHARCO

Intensive and preventive works in the northern zone have been completed, in order to avoid fires, such as the devastating one which affected the area last May.  Thanks to financial assistance from SEMARNAT it was possible to build firewalls and new wide access roads and also to prune and remove dry vegetation in the 50 hectares in the northern part. These preventative measures are optimized by an ongoing program of controlled, low impact grazing, aiming to reduce invasive grasses, primary cause of spreading fires around San Miguel.

In the Southern zone –where the Botanical Garden is located-- our staff has completed pruning and removing dead branches from trees and shrubs, and mowing invasive grass in key areas, including the Dog Park near Balcones.

YET ANOTHER PETITION TO THE STATE WATER COMISSION...

...Third call...

The unfortunate spills of black water from SAPASMA’s pumping station in Palmita de Landeta to the Ecological Preservation Zone demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the permanent drainage pump.  This situation was caused by the total failure of previous municipal administrations to foresee the problems that would be caused by authorizing urban development in areas where residential discharges could not be handled adequately by the city’s infrastructure. Because of this planning error and the problems experienced with black water spilling into Parque Landeta, and due to the initiative of the Botanical Garden, in 2004 the State Water Commission (CEAG) created a water treatment plant using artificial wetland technology to clean the residual discharge (3 liters/second). CEAG turned the operational plant over to the Municipality in 2009.  Unfortunately, neither the last nor the current municipal administrations have looked after it, nor has SAPASMA, which has obliged the Botanical Garden, with the cooperation of UNAM (the new caretakers of Parque Landeta), to look after the flow of water in and out of the plant to maintain a minimum of functionality. However, due to various errors in CEAG’s original plan and execution of the treatment plant, disruptions were caused within months of starting to operate until finally it was completely deactivated in 2011.  Since then SAPASMA’s pumping station has had to take the entire residual discharge to the municipal collectors using obsolete and insufficient equipment which has caused spills of contaminated water into the Ecological Preservation Zone.  In consequence, the Botanical Garden has formally asked the Executive Secretary of CEAG, Engineer Angelica Casillas, to have the treatment plant properly repaired, correcting the design and construction errors which caused its collapse, and which should then be operated by SAPASMA just as all the other treatment plants are.

CELEBRATION OF EARTH DAY

Our sincere thanks to the young promoters of C.A.S.A. for the theater presentation, Chaos, on April 22 at the amphitheater of the Botanical Garden. 

Beginning this day, we initiated a new system of sorting solid waste using containers of different colors. We invite our members and visitors to reinforce this effort by doing the same at home, school and work. We start by separating organic from inorganic and the latter into various categories, realizing that most of what is considered “trash” can be reused or recycled.  In this way, we can all contribute to taking care of the environment, personally participating in an ecological solution with social and economic benefits to our community.

CITIZEN'S WATER COUNCIL

The third workshop of this group, called by the environmental organization Salvemos al Rio Laja, took place in El Charco on April 26th, in which results of an important survey about water in San Miguel were shared. A fourth workshop is scheduled for May. This citizen’s effort is possible thanks to the support of ONU Habitat, a program of the United Nations that seeks to strengthen citizen participation, in this case creating this Citizen’s Water Watch in San Miguel de Allende.

Saturday, May 12th|   3-8p.m. |  Dayana Paz |
500 pesos general; 450 pesos members |  includes Temazcal

Happy Mother’s Day!! We invite you to discover your inner goddess in a workshop where we share in laughter, silence, dance, song, and healing – to open and strengthen our interior and exterior selves, developing and growing together.

Program: circular dance, songs of renewal, meditation (burning your heart), dynamics of happiness, exercises of freedom and thanking ceremony.

Material: loose clothing and a little gift

For the temazcal: bathing suit or shorts, towel, sandals, water to drink and fruit to share.

More information: elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com

KUNDALINI YOGA IN EL CHARCO DEL INGENIO

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 9-10:30a.m. | 50 pesos per class or a monthly package (8 continuous classes) 320 pesos for members and 350 pesos for general public.

Instructor: Marisol Arau
Marisol is a disciple of Guru Dev Singh Khalsa and has been practicing Kundilini Yoga since 1984. She studed at the Sat Nam Rasayan School in Mexico.

Kundilini Yoga is based on a profound and integrated knowledge of the human being. It uses various methods such as breath (pranayama), sound (naad yoga), meditation, physical exercise (kriyas), mudras (positions of the hand), bhandas and relaxation – which help expand the capacity to be, provide better health, happiness and a road full of blessings.

Bring a yoga mat and blanket.

More information: elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com

Saturday, May 5th  | 8p.m.
Plaza of 4 Winds | members free, 30pesos general public

We invite everyone to this open celebration that has been taking place for many years during the full moon cycle at the Four Winds Plaza in the Botanical Garden.

We celebrate the Full Moon Ceremony to come back into balance with nature on earth. Come and enthusiastically participate and dedicate your intention and energies at the Plaza of the Four Winds.  Bonfire, incense, chanting, drumming included.  Bring flutes, cymbals, a drum or any other instrument if you want. 

It’s worth arriving a little early to admire the setting of the sun and the appearance of the moon over the mountains. You may want to bring a coat for cool evenings. Children welcome.

Any questions, call Alicia Mayo at 152 .0376.

TRADITIONAL TEMAZCAL

Saturday, May 5th  |  6p.m.
Sunday, May 6th  | 9:30a.m.
Cost 250 pesos | Limited space

This sweat-lodge steam bath, of ritual and healing character, takes place under the direction of an experienced temazcal leader in the ruins of the hacienda located in the Botanical Garden on the far side of the reservoir.

The combination of heat, humidity and fragrant herbs provides a purifying experience for the body and spirit. Its benefits are multiple: it activates circulation, increases the body’s defenses, eliminates pains, decreases uric acid, relaxes the muscles, regulates the nervous system, stimulates respiration and is excellent for losing weight.

RESERVATION NECESSARY : elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com | Tel:154.8838, 154.4715, or in the Botanical Garden visitor’s center.

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am | in English
Duration: two hours | Cost: 80 pesos, members 50 pesos

Walk the beautiful paths of El Charco and enjoy the beautiful landscape it has to offer. Discover the textures and smells of the various areas of the Garden, visit the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, the Scent Garden, the canyon, archaeological ruins, and much more.

Fotografía : Susan y Wayne Colony

Every first and third Wednesday of the month, 9 am – 11:30 am.
Cost:  100 pesos general public | 60 pesos Audubon or El Charco members | Guide: Signe Hammer

The walks are for birders of all levels. They begin at 9:00 am and last about 2 1/2 hours. No reservations needed, and feel free to leave the walk at any time.  Please bring binoculars, wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat, and bring water. Your guide will meet you after you pass through the Reception area of the Botanical Garden.

More information:elcharcocomunicacion@gmail.com

VISIT THE GIFT SHOP AND CAFÉ

Help support the cause of our friends in Wirikuta by purchasing “Flor del Desierto” products. From the women of Las Margaritas in San Luis Potosi, we offer creams of four plants and calendula, lotions and conserves of Cabuches.

Don’t forget to check out the plants for sale on the side of the Café, where you will find delicious and nutritious snacks including “chips” made from flax, nopal, oatmeal and sesame.

Purchases in the Gift Shop and Café help us with the costs of maintaining this magnificent natural reserve. Thank you.

“What is important is not what happens to us, but how we respond to what happens to us.”
                                   Jean-Paul Sartre