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OUR MISSION: To protect and preserve our natural heritage and help build an environmental culture while developing a Botanical Garden dedicated to Mexican flora and providing an oasis of peace and tranquility for all.
Please tell your friends and prospective members/supporters how to access the newsletter and help broaden the base of support for the Botanical Garden.
Severe weather that hit the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean during September -which devastated large areas of our country with human and material losses - we suggest that, rather than natural disasters are social disasters resulting from predatory, absurd human activities. The overflowing rivers and flooding caused by heavy rains are natural phenomena, but only result in social disasters because of irresponsible policies that have allowed human settlements in vulnerable areas. Similarly, the breaking off of the hills occurs when the slopes have been deforested and denuded of their vegetation, for urbanization purposes, grazing or agriculture; without natural retention offered by the network of roots, the land converts to unstoppable mass mud slides down the slopes, with dire consequences for the population as we have seen. Can we keep talking then about "natural" disasters?
Something must be happening with the weather in recent times. In the region of San Miguel --which has escaped from the terrible effects of the recent weather events --after a prolonged drought and a rather pitiful rainy season (June to August), we received late rains, so unusual and out of season, in late September. Thus we were surprised to see how El Charco’s dam began to overflow during the last days of the month ...
This innovative and powerful artistic expression has found ideal scenarios in natural areas around the world, appealing to a broad and diverse public. Each year the El Charco becomes the perfect canvas for various Land Art project which integrate and contribute to the beauty and interest of this space which San Miguel is privileged to have. That is why we call to the artists and creators to walk, feel, smell and experience the different areas of the preserve, to find inspiration and become partners in this experience.
The purpouse is to use the landscape of El Charco as support for artistic creation in harmony with the surrounding nature reserve. It’s about altering the surface of the earth with an aesthetic sense, using natural materials of the site or region to integrate successfully into the landscape both visually and environmentally.
More information:
charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com
This is the second edition of the booklet published by the Botanical Garden in 2006, with excellent and loving photographs by Richard Cretcher and design by Linda Whyman. The design of the new edition was donated by Marlene Parra. The publication is dedicated to those extraordinary beings that accompany us on the planet and that in El Charco are amongst the main characters: the trees. On sale in the Botanical Garden Gift Shop for 70 pesos.
In recognition of his generous support for El Charco for so many years we extend a huge “Thank you, Richard Cretcher!”
Sometimes in the form of a tree and sometimes as a bush, this deciduous species is part of a variety of dry shrubs, penetrating sometimes into its neighboring oak forests. As with all the species of this family, the trunk tends to be thick and succulent, and is characterized by constantly dropping fine peelings of its paper-like bark. The foliage appears in the rainy season, as do its flowers and little sour but aromatic fruit. In Guanajuato, this species survives in badly disturbed terrains.
In rural communities the trunks are planted as living fences because of their great ability to resprout. The resin is very aromatic –similar to copal or incense extracted from other species of Bursera in Mexico –and can be used like glue or varnish. It is also a medicinal plant and its wood is used for fuel.
Almost all the native individuals of this species in El Charco are situated among the rocks, edges and slopes of the canyon.
As we finish the rainy season and enter early fall, when the sky is gray and the fields are green, a colorful adventure appears decked out in yellow, purple, white, blue and red. Flowers such as cinco llagas, mirasoles, pegarropas, dahlias, xotoles, etc.., make the day a pleasure.
After taking advantage of the abundance of water to grow, plants can now devote themselves to fulfilling one of their primary functions: to reproduce, and the intense competition to attract pollinators has led them to find amazing strategies such as the shape and color of the flower. That is why we see composite flowers, open or closed pipes and pink and yellow trumpets that attract primarily bees or white for bats, and purple, red and blue for hummingbirds.
What better place to stroll, admire and learn about this wonderful process than El Charco del Ingenio. Don’t let this month go by without giving at least one tour.
The great migrations eventually start back south around this time, when the cold fronts begin to arrive from the Arctic regions. They are different species of animals in search for warmer land and the promise of abundant food. In almost any landscape of our country it’s possible to appreciate the arrival of these road warriors: the coast has whales, in the mountains are butterflies and other insects, and elsewhere, many species of birds, mainly those seeking nectar and insects.
Most of these living beings travel thousands of miles, some from areas close to the North Pole such as the islands of northern Canada and Alaska to stay in our large and diverse country. Others continue on their way to South America and some of them even to the South Pole!
Mexico is world renowned for its hospitality, and these globetrotting animals need our support, giving them our respect and space to rest and feed during their trip, both coming and going. These sites may be our gardens, parks, beaches and nature areas . Help us to preserve them!
❂ Know you are helping to protect over 150 species of birds, 32 species of mammals, 110 species of butterflies, and more than 500 species of native flora.
❂ Have pride that you are supporting environmental education and a growing environmental awareness in our entire geographical region.
❂ Free entrance to the Reserve and Botanical Gardens any day of the year.
❂ Bring two friends as your guests for free, anytime and get discounts to certain events.
❂ know you can call this “sanctuary of peace” which is El Charco del Ingenio our home.
Get your membership at the visitor center at El Charco or at Posada Corazon, Aldama 9, one block from the Jardin.
These dialogues are held monthly and are part of the campaign of the Citizen Observatory Water and Sanitation (OCAS), which is open to scientists, authorities and NGO representatives to discuss the historical, current and immediate solutions to the serious problem of availability and water quality. The campaign aims to raise awareness and inform the public about the critical situation of water resources in our geographic region. The Dialogues are complemented by a competition for college students.
The series is held the last Tuesday of each month.
Admission is free.
We look forward to your attendance to get to know about and participate in solutions and proposals of specialists and to disseminate this invitation among your friends.
Monthly calendar and more information:
http://aguavidasma.org/aguavida-agua-serie-dialogo-y-concurso-water-dialogue-series-and-contest/nuevo-concurso-dialogos-del-agua/
- Contest info:
http://aguavidasma.org/182-2/
- More information about AguaVida SMA:
www.aguavidasma.org
The First Colibri International Festival was held with great success at El Charco due to the unique combination of science, art and education, which attracted both experts and the public from diverse backgrounds and all ages. It was the result of joint action prepared over months between El Charco, Audubon and especially by the crew of Camino Silvestre, who devised and encouraged us to make the festival.
From 5 to 8 September, several exhibitions were held, where love for hummingbirds was expressed in diverse artistic styles.
The scientific program consisted of presentations by leading figures in the biological sciences, who with charisma and simplicity, shared the results of their research.
On Saturday night, the gala dinner was full of tasteful details, exquisite menu and Cuban music. We conducted an art auction to raise funds and Sunday’s activities began very early with a birding tour. The day continued with a cultural market of exhibitors from various states of the country, the last group of lectures and an emotional closing in which the efforts of everyone who helped make this First International Hummingbird Festival possible were recognized.
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.
TOURS IN SPANISH on Saturdays at 9a.m.
More information:
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. With some luck, we will have some rainy days still in October.
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 under the always surprising direction of Alicia Mayo. 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 and you may bring a musical instrument.
Alicia Mayo : 152 .0376.
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.
Come and savor delicious apple pie, baked with cinnamon, almonds and walnuts. Accompanied by a coffee and smiles, as the sky clears up.
The Bruja de Monte shirts, 100% Mexican, are part of an outreach project for the conservation of birds. Various designs and sizes.
http://www.brujademonte.com