3.9

Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

Through a preventive project for the sanitation of rivers, lakes, lagoons and aquifers, in collaboration and with the participation of different types of industries and governments in the region, as well as the population that lives adjacent to these formations, we implement an intervention process for the construction of environmental values, with the aim that all these social actors can take responsibility and become aware of the importance of the conservation of water resources, as well as the negative effects generated by the dumping of industrial and domestic chemical waste into any body of water, thus generating a collective commitment from the public and private sectors and society itself, to guarantee the mitigation of these harmful practices of environmental degradation, and thereby reduce the risks of illness or death of people, livestock and biodiversity itself due to contamination of water used for human consumption and in agriculture mainly.

4.4

Significantly increase the number of young people and adults who have the necessary skills, particularly technical and vocational skills, to access employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

Trades skills training program

The program aims to provide people with life skills that will help them access more and better development opportunities, regardless of their location. The program is aimed at all interested parties, whether they are residents of the municipality of Arriaga or those in transit who desire technical training that will help them find new jobs or become self-employed, for young people or adults. Our program offers: plumbing, electrician, carpentry, masonry, painting, baking, agriculture, poultry farming, pig farming, cattle farming, caprinotechnics, sheep farming, dressmaking and sewing. Migrants can learn several skills in a relatively short time, thus becoming more and more qualified to develop professionally during their transit and wherever they settle. And for people who are native to or live in Arriaga, they will contribute to their family economy and thus to the development of the municipality, which consequently contributes to their achieving financial independence and thus improving the relationship between the community and the ecosystem.

4.7

Ensure that all students acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture's contribution to sustainable development

Training program for community development of values

This has the purpose of providing people with socio-emotional and community development skills for life, through education in environmental, civic and ethical values, since they are a key piece in the formation of people; By participating in training workshops, faults and successes can be identified regarding our attitude and practices in relation to the ecosystem, in this way we can generate reflective and beneficial actions, based on the assessment of what is good and bad for the ecosystem, as well as the consequences that this can bring to our daily and community life, present and future; adding positively to the interaction of the human being with the biosphere, in view of the reconstruction of the socio-environmental fabric, of the culture of peace and solidarity as living beings. Since conservation must also be seen from a preventive approach, the same people are and will be the ones who take care of Teoyotica; With an informative and cultural background regarding the importance of its conservation, they will foster, through their actions, respect and commitment to the nature that surrounds them, and consequently, will be an example for future generations.

6.6

Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including forests, mountains, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes

Ecosystem protection and conservation program

Through a team of forest rangers familiar with the geography of Teoyotica, as well as the social and environmental issues we face, their work is to monitor and prevent firsthand the commission of ecocide against the diverse species of flora, as well as illegal logging and hunting of the fauna that inhabit it, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds. A perimeter breach is also permanently created and maintained to contain and spread forest fires. Due to the effects of climate change, extreme temperatures are being recorded around the world, unusual and unseasonable compared to those usual for each ecosystem. This causes catastrophic disasters in many of them, affecting their balance, jeopardizing their very existence, and consuming thousands of hectares each year. Furthermore, they carry out monitoring, irrigation, and pruning work related to conservation, with the aim of maintaining the ecosystem's balance despite natural climatic conditions. Since for several years now, we have witnessed the shift in the rainy season and the seasonal chronological change in general.

8.4

Progressively improve the efficient use of global resources in production and consumption and strive to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead.

Through our cooperative, participating community members create sustainable products derived from the fresh flowers and fruits of Teoyotica's natural habitat. These include jams and infusions made from mango, guava, papaya, sapote, xoconostle, mamey, avocado, citrus fruits, and even coffee and cocoa. These jams are all made using artisanal methods. These products are used for their own consumption or for marketing to partner grocery stores, convenience stores, and local businesses in the region. This contributes to their economic independence and also serves as a souvenir for visitors to the reserve.

8.9

Develop and implement policies aimed at promoting sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.

We are in the process of planning an ecotourism program, which consists of having the opportunity to live unique experiences that only interaction with nature gives you. To achieve this, specific and precise aspects are considered so that everyone can experience entering the jungle and appreciate the majesty of the ecosystem. All this is done with the most comprehensive safety regulations and guarantees for visitors, who will also have the opportunity to prepare their own products, such as jams and infusions, using natural ingredients from the reserve. Finally, we will offer camping areas and accommodations in sustainable rooms, guided hikes, and recreational activities for all ages. With this, we will generate even more jobs for the community, thereby boosting direct and indirect economic growth in the region. 

12.2

Achieving sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

The strategies undertaken by Teoyotica, through its programs and activities, promote a balance between ecosystem conservation and the needs of the local community. Our mission, vision, and philosophy emphasize the importance of caring for nature, as well as valuing people. Therefore, we combine actions that actively involve the community, developing their socio-emotional and labor skills, both dependent and independent of the resources provided and available through the reserve. This approach fosters co-responsibility and a sense of belonging, ensuring the sustainability of ecosystem services through respect and commitment to the planet, alongside productive alternatives that support their economy and help them achieve financial independence without compromising natural resources and their healthy balance. In doing so, we build empathetic, respectful, conscious, and prosperous societies, grounded in social and environmental values.

12.5

Significantly reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse activities

The educational model employed by Teoyotica, in collaboration with another civil society organization, for building socio-emotional skills based on environmental values education, seeks to create a profound change in how children, youth, and adults perceive and relate to their environment. Through workshops and the use of a specific book as a pedagogical tool covering various topics about caring for nature, we promote practices such as reduction, recycling, and reuse. This methodology not only imparts knowledge but also encourages dialogue, reflection, analysis, and the exchange of viewpoints among participants, planting in them a respectful, responsible, empathetic, and proactive attitude towards managing ecosystem resources. By involving elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as parents or caregivers and teachers, we collectively instill principles that have a direct and significant impact on the preventive reduction of waste generation. Educating from a values-based approach on the importance of reducing waste from an early age lays the foundation for a culture of responsible consumption that will endure and become vital over time, contributing to the building of a more sustainable future for all.

12.6

Encourage companies, especially large and transnational corporations, to adopt sustainable practices and incorporate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.

Corporate volunteering
Often, companies look for altruistic activities in which to involve all their staff. For this reason, at Teoyotica, we offer the opportunity to participate in corporate volunteering, which, besides supporting the foundation in all its activities, strengthens the bonds and corporate responsibility of those who join. This generates a more reflective, participative, empathetic, and conscious environment—particularly regarding the environment. All members of each company can participate without restriction on numbers, although we receive up to 50 people per day divided into two groups of 25, each group participating in 4-hour shifts due to internal logistics at the reserve. We only ask for a strong willingness and commitment to collaborate in the mission of conserving the ecosystem and enthusiasm to build their own corporate and personal legacy with the planet. We offer several options: volunteering can be done in any of the core or complementary programs, each with a wide range of activities to carry out. Additionally, volunteering is possible in the cooperative or in the academic logistics of workshops, as well as in fundraising and the development of graphic and audiovisual content; the latter two can be done remotely.

12.8

Ensuring that people everywhere have the relevant information and knowledge for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

Values Education Program: "Humanity and Nature, Our Planet, a Living Being"
This is specifically our academic offering of workshops on social and environmental values; it is aimed at children from basic education to older adults, and it is applied both within the participation committees of Teoyotica, as well as community committees and public schools in the municipality, region, and state. It promotes understanding of the relationship between all living beings and the planet; it was created in collaboration with 516 researchers globally and focuses on the rescue and conservation of nature, including its vast richness of flora and fauna species. This program has been implemented in several Mexican states, as well as in the United States of America and Spain, resulting in more sensitive, prudent, and responsible practices for ecological balance through the development of socio-emotional skills. These play a crucial role in the prevention and containment of climate change, as it promotes individual and collective awareness about the importance of caring for our environment and the entire world. Through this educational approach, we encourage behaviors of respect and commitment toward all forms of life, raising awareness among people about the positive and negative consequences of our actions and how these affect ecosystems. Teaching and learning, as a transformative process, are the path toward the sustainability of Earth’s biodiversity, allowing each individual to become a socially and environmentally responsible actor for future generations and the well-being of humanity.

12.b

Develop and implement instruments to monitor the impact on sustainable development, in order to achieve sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.

In order to provide certainty to our intervention processes, always aimed at achieving the sustainability of Teoyotica's programs, processes, and goals, both those related to care, protection, and conservation, as well as training related to trade skills and education in environmental values, we have developed specific measurement instruments with which we evaluate the impact and scale of progress regarding our activities. These are applied to the participants of these activities, as well as to the inhabitants of the surrounding communities and the general population of the municipality of Arriaga, before and after the implementation of each one. This way, we have accurate and verifiable information on the progress the organization and the community have made in terms of the adoption of sustainable practices, the commitment to preserving the ecosystem, and also the strengthening of environmental culture; all of which leads us organizationally to better decision-making. 

11.4

Redouble efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage

While we are not a reserve like the Sepultura Biosphere Reserve, located less than 5 kilometers from Teoyotica, we are a committed and socially responsible civil society organization working to ensure the conservation and balance of this habitat. We seek to build a culture of community co-responsibility, as well as prosperous societies with social and environmental values, reflective, participatory, and committed to their environment, through various educational programs and initiatives, promoting sustainable development between the ecosystem and the population, fostering sustainable environmental management and the protection of natural resources, undertaking actions that favor forest governance and raise awareness for the reasonable use of natural resources and their protection; that meet the needs of the population living in Arriaga without having an irreversible impact on them.

11.6

Reduce the negative per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

Protection and conservation actions, as well as those to assist in the ecosystem balance in Teoyotica, and training for the eradication of industrial practices of dumping waste in bodies of water, predominantly lead to mitigating the adverse effects derived from climate change, in this particular case, to reduce the negative environmental impact not only in the municipality of Arriaga, but also in neighboring cities due to their geographical proximity, contributing to improving air quality by mitigating illegal logging by humans for commercial or domestic use, as well as by reforestation and prevention of fires that could consume biodiversity and its natural resources necessary for the environmental balance of the region and sustainable development.

11.7

Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities

In Teoyotica, ecosystem protection and conservation actions are not only essential for preserving its own biodiversity and helping mitigate the effects of climate change, but are also crucial for creating a safe, inclusive, and accessible public space for everyone to enjoy. By ensuring the health, well-being, and balance of the reserve, community development is promoted in a green environment, offering its inhabitants recreation, relaxation, and connection with nature. Areas like this are essential for improving the quality of life for all people, primarily women, children, older adults, and people with disabilities, by providing them with a safe environment adapted to their needs, with adequate access and accessible recreational areas. Furthermore, we are a social meeting point, thus promoting inclusion and reducing inequalities, as all community members, regardless of age, gender, or physical abilities, can enjoy the ecosystem.

11.a

Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning

Employability program.
Through a skills training program, once young people, both men and women, have completed the process, we manage and promote, in collaboration with private sector institutions and socially responsible business chambers, job opportunity areas and productive projects for participants. These projects enable them to find employment or start their own businesses by utilizing the skills and knowledge they have acquired for their economic benefit and financial independence, as well as for the development of the municipality of Arriaga or their own communities of origin, thus preventing migration and family disintegration.

13.3

Improve education, awareness, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning

Socio-emotional education for children, through the educational model based on civic, ethical, social, and environmental values ​​that we employ in our community development program, is a formative and transformative tool in the fight against climate change. By teaching young people to recognize, understand, and positively manage their emotions, while also conveying the importance of caring for the environment and respecting natural resources, they are prepared to be responsible individuals and members of a community, aware of and committed to their attitudes and actions. Furthermore, by raising awareness from childhood, a sense of belonging and responsibility toward the planet will be fostered, enabling them to make more informed, assertive, and sustainable decisions throughout their lives. In this way, with the foundation's educational activities in schools, we not only develop more empathetic future global citizens, but we also lay the foundation for everyday practices that contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting sustainability in all areas.

14.b

Facilitate artisanal fishermen's access to marine resources and markets.

Arriaga, the municipality where the ecosystem we conserve is located, has a coastline on the Pacific and borders Tonalá in Chiapas and San Pedro Tapanatepec in the state of Oaxaca. Due to its location, the trade and consumption of marine natural resources is one of its main economic activities. However, the slowdown in productive development and the financial crisis affecting the region and its inhabitants compromise the availability of resources provided by the ocean, as the community and fishing groups lack the basic technical and physical resources to carry out the tasks of sustainable use of marine resources.

14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources by implementing international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of the document "The Future We Want."

Aware of this, Teoyotica has a social cooperative to improve and increase fishing production, and with it, the financial support of the area's native and migrant inhabitants dedicated to it. We provide them with knowledge and skills through our specialized vocational training program, as well as the necessary materials to carry out the relevant work activities. This group of people works in an artisanal manner, using traditional, sustainable, and low-impact methods using small boats, hand-held nets, and fishing lines or traps. These methods are designed to obtain only what is necessary for personal consumption and small-scale local trade, without overexploiting the ocean's supply, which is essential for coastal communities like ours, as it not only provides food but is also a source of self-employment and economic independence. They always promote responsible and respectful practices that ensure the long-term sustainability of biodiversity and ecosystem wealth.

15.1

Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and the services they provide, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in accordance with obligations under international agreements

Mission
Guarantee the preservation of the Teoyotica ecosystem, promoting sustainable development among it and its communities. We foster sustainable environmental management and the protection of natural resources, undertaking actions that promote forest governance and raise awareness about the proper use of ecosystem services.

15.2

Promote sustainable management of all types of forests, end deforestation, restore degraded forests and increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Forest governance
Through forest governance, in which the Teoyotica Foundation, the community, public institutions and stakeholders, and the private sector participate primarily, we seek to ensure that the ecosystem is managed fairly, equitably, sustainably, and respectfully, respecting its rights for the conservation of its biodiversity, without neglecting the rights of local communities for their own social well-being. All this is achieved through a set of laws, regulations, programs, technical and academic processes, and public and institutional policies.

Reforestation sub-activity of the Ecosystem Protection and Conservation Program
At certain times of the year, we carry out reforestation campaigns in areas that have been affected either by human intervention or the effects of climate change. The goal is to assist and restore the original ecosystem, thereby increasing biodiversity and recovering ecosystem services, offsetting the negative impact suffered by Teoyotica.

15.5

Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biological diversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Sub-activities of the ecosystem protection and conservation program
1.- Perimeter delimitation
Its importance lies in ensuring that the people of Arriaga, migrants, and all those who have in some way contributed to the planet's protection and conservation, have knowledge of and can geographically visualize the Teoyotica ecosystem and the results of the efforts to guarantee respect, appreciation, and protection of all species of flora and fauna.

2.- Containment gap against the spread of forest fires
Due to the effects of climate change, extreme temperatures are being recorded around the world, unusual and unseasonable for each ecosystem. This causes catastrophic disasters such as fires in many ecosystems, affecting their balance, jeopardizing their very existence, and consuming thousands of hectares each year. Therefore, a containment breach with a 2-meter wide space along the entire perimeter is important; it helps mitigate and limit the spread of such disasters and safeguards the integrity of the flora and fauna that inhabit Teoyotica.

3.- Irrigation, pruning and clearing
Conservation efforts aim to maintain an assisted ecosystem balance despite natural climatic conditions. For several years, we have witnessed the shift in the rainy season and the seasonal chronological change in general. In response, our team constantly monitors and maintains the entire area to carry out the necessary and appropriate irrigation and weed removal to prevent and mitigate potential impacts.

4.- Forest rangers for the protection and safeguarding of species
Teoyotica is staffed by people native to the region, knowledgeable about the geography of the ecosystem and the social and environmental issues we face. Their work is to monitor and prevent, firsthand, ecocide against the diverse species of flora, such as illegal logging, as well as the fauna that inhabits it, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds.

5.- Eradication of flora harmful to the ecosystem
Plants introduced by humans can often be highly detrimental to ecosystem development, both to wildlife because they can be poisonous, and to other flora, as they can spread uncontrollably and wipe out beneficial native habitats. Monitoring the land, identifying and removing these plants, is essential to contain their spread and the associated risks.  

15.6

Promote the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote adequate access to those resources, as internationally agreed

With the primary goal of achieving sustainability through ecosystem care and conservation, and the reasonable use of natural resources by the community, we seek to maximize the benefits produced by genetic resources to preserve Teoyotica's biodiversity, ensuring the protection of endemic and/or endangered species through native seed and flora reproduction and conservation programs. This allows us to maintain and restore the population of key ecosystem species, ensuring their long-term survival. 

15.7

Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address the illegal demand and supply of wildlife products

Through the Wildlife Conservation Management Units program, known by its acronym UMA, we carry out activities for the controlled and sustainable use of the species that live here. This is a physical space registered and endorsed by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT by its acronym in spanish), which operates according to an approved management plan and whose objective is the conservation of the natural habitat of specimens of wild species.

15.c

Increase global support for combating poaching and trafficking of protected species, particularly by increasing the capacity of local communities to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities.

While many of the communities surrounding Teoyotica have historically made use of the natural resources provided by the rainforest, the essential goal is to ensure reasonable, controlled, and, above all, sustainable use for the protection of species. Therefore, our team of forest rangers is responsible for patrolling and monitoring to eradicate poaching and trafficking of endemic species, prevent and contain forest fires, and prevent illegal logging and the general destruction of the natural habitat of endangered species.

17.17

Encourage and promote the creation of effective partnerships in the public, public-private and civil society spheres, leveraging the experience and resource-raising strategies of partnerships

Through outreach, awareness-raising, and the promotion of collaborative agreements, we seek the involvement and active participation of all social and population sectors in the fulfillment of our mission and programs. These include the public sector through its various branches and powers with influence over our mission, the private sector through socially responsible companies and chambers of commerce, civil society, and local communities. We thus encourage community co-responsibility for the protection and conservation of ecosystem resources and services, as well as the sustainable use and utilization of them for the benefit of the inhabitants of the municipality of Arriaga. These actions not only generate strategic alliances that benefit the biodiversity of ecosystems but also strengthen the reconstruction of the ties of the social fabric.