MexicoEcosystem restoration · Sea level rise
In Chelem, Progreso (Yucatán), in the face of rising sea levels and coastal erosion, the intergenerational community brigade "Las Chelemeras" implements ecological restoration of mangroves with leadership of young women. Through manual opening of hydrological channels, clearing and reforestation of black mangrove, they recovered more than 50 hectares of ecosystem that function as a natural coastal protection barrier for the fishing community.
In Chelem, Progreso (Yucatán), in the face of rising sea levels and coastal erosion, the intergenerational community brigade "Las Chelemeras" implements ecological restoration of mangroves with leadership of young women. Through manual opening of hydrological channels, clearing and reforestation of black mangrove, they recovered more than 50 hectares of ecosystem that function as a natural coastal protection barrier for the fishing community.
Mexico faces high climate vulnerability due to floods, droughts, heat waves, extreme events and rising sea levels. The coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico concentrate risks due to erosion, loss of territory, flooding and exposure of communities with a high dependence on ecosystems and local livelihoods. In these areas, mangroves are key to reducing exposure to floods, erosion and storms, so their restoration can strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities.
Restore degraded mangroves through community participation, incorporating a gender approach and youth action to strengthen climate resilience, protect coastal ecosystems and recognize the role of women and youth in local adaptation.
Implementation of Nature-based Solutions through hydrological rehabilitation and reforestation: (1) Manual opening and clearing of canals in the Progreso swamp to restore water flow and soil salinity; (2) Reforestation with black mangrove seedlings to recover degraded vegetation cover; and (3) Community monitoring and intergenerational fieldwork, where young women take on technical and excavation tasks.
Coastal and fishing population of the port of Chelem and the municipality of Progreso (more than 4,000 inhabitants), whose homes and productive activities are protected by the mangrove barrier, directly benefiting the 18 women of the brigade and their families.
The intergenerational women's brigade has young leadership: Leslie Daniela Ruiz Hernández received the 2024 Youth Merit Award for this project. The youngest members take on the heavier manual tasks, such as opening channels and removing sediment.
Recovery and reforestation of approximately 50 hectares of mangrove in Yucalpetén and the Progreso swamp (50% of Chelem's forest cover), restoring hydrological connectivity and flood protection. International recognition at the Ocean Awards 2023 as “Local Heroes” and Youth Merit Award 2024 “León Gutiérrez Ferretis”.
Leslie Daniela Ruiz Hernández, Las Chelemeras. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Las-Chelemeras-100084534620819/
Mixed
In the coastal areas of Yucatán, the loss or degradation of mangroves can increase the exposure of communities to flooding, erosion, storms, and sea level rise. This measure responds to the need to recover coastal ecosystems that function as natural barriers and support local livelihoods.
Mexico has a climate policy framework with the General Climate Change Law, the National Strategy and its NDC 3.0, which prioritize Nature-based Solutions and the protection of coastal wetlands. The experience of Las Chelemeras contributes to an inclusive adaptation, integrating local knowledge, a gender approach and youth participation in the restoration of protective ecosystems.
Community, scientific and institutional articulation: technical support from CINVESTAV-IPN and ENES-UNAM in hydrological design; technical and financial support from The Nature Conservancy (TNC); and visibility of the experience on platforms of the UNDP Mexico, the Secretariat of Sustainable Development (SDS Yucatán) and WWF Mexico.
As enabling factors, the territorial roots, the intergenerational organization of women, the academic technical support of CINVESTAV and the social and international recognition of the project stand out. As conditions, the high physical demand of manual work in the mud and the need for continuous long-term financing for tools, transfers and permanent monitoring of hydrological channels.
Community mangrove restoration can generate coastal protection, biodiversity recovery, environmental education, strengthening the leadership of women and youth, community ownership and greater visibility of local solutions to climate change.
It can be replicated in other coastal communities with mangroves if there is community organization, local leadership, participation of women and youth, technical support, environmental permits or agreements, financing and ecological monitoring.
Sustainability depends on community ownership, the continuity of youth and women's leadership, technical support, monitoring of restoration and the existence of resources for maintenance, especially for tools, transfers and the permanent care of hydrological channels.
They recognize Mexican youth who act against climate change (UN Mexico): https://mexico.un.org/es/268859-reconocen-las-juventudes-mexicanas-que-act%C3%BAan-frente-al-cambio-clim%C3%A1tico; Las Chelemeras and their mission to recover and revive the mangroves of Yucatán (France 24): https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20230214-las-chelemeras-y-su-misi%C3%B3n-de-recuperar-y-revivir-los-manglares-de-yucat%C3%A1n-en-m%C3%A9xico-8m ; Yucatecas win the award as Local Heroes at the Ocean Awards 2023 (La Jornada Maya): https://www.lajornadamaya.mx/yucatan/215138/yucatecas-ganan-premio-como-heroes-locales-de-los-ocean-awards-2023-chelemeras; Las Chelemeras lead the restoration of mangroves in the Progreso swamp (Punto Medio): https://puntomedio.mx/las-chelemeras-lideran-la-restauracion-de-los-manglares-en-la-cienega-de-progreso/