Yucatán to Protect Area Larger Than Aguascalientes

Why this is here: The Herencia Maya project seeks to protect over 275 kilometers of Yucatán’s coastline, safeguarding vital coastal ecosystems.

The Yucatán state government in Mexico announced the Herencia Maya initiative, which will protect over 580,000 hectares of natural areas. This new conservation and financing scheme aims for the permanent protection of land exceeding the size of the state of Aguascalientes.

The project will conserve aquifers, mangroves, and coastal ecosystems. It also supports community activities like sustainable fishing and Mayan agriculture.

WWF, Enduring Earth, and other organizations joined Yucatán’s government in presenting the initiative on May 13th. Herencia Maya includes over 275 kilometers of Yucatán’s coastline and roughly 54,000 hectares of mangroves. It focuses on ecosystems like the Ring of Cenotes and parts of the Mayan Jungle, crucial for freshwater access for over one million people.

The program will begin with $12.6 million in funding. Local communities, roughly 40% indigenous, will be involved in projects like beekeeping and ecotourism. While the initiative aims to secure long-term economic resources for conservation, the full scope of its ongoing impact remains to be seen.