Grupo de Estudios Ambientales y Sociales A.C. (GEA, Environmental and Social Studies Group)
Grupo de Estudios Ambientales y Sociales A.C. (GEA, Environmental and Social Studies Group) operates in the central mountain region of Guerrero promoting local access to safe water and training communities in sustainable land management. The organization has reforested more than 500 hectares of land in an important watershed, established more than 60 organic farms, and undertaken terracing over 20 kilometers of hillside to reduce and prevent soil erosion.
Central to the organizational model is full participation and democratic decision-making in the supply and distribution of water. Improvements to local watersheds have been pursued through reforestation, organic agriculture, and changes to livestock rearing practices. Mescal maguey is planted in reforested areas to provide community members with an additional source of income. The organization also works with eight women’s self-help groups to provide workshops and capacity building in the canning and drying of local foods, reintroducing traditional crops, building and maintaining organic vegetable gardens, and household level water management and sanitation systems.
Key Facts
Equator Prize Winner: 2012
Founded: 1977
Location: Guerrero
Beneficiaries: Indigenous farming communities
Biodiversity: Watersheds in the Balsas River Basin
Case Study
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Equator Prize 2012
Latin America And The Caribbean
Biodiversity Conservation
Ecoagriculture and Food Security
Freshwater Management
Contact Information
Catarina Illsley
Allende 7, Santa Ursula Coapa, Coyoacán, México, DF, 04650
gea@laneta.apc.org
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