Restoring the Cloud Forest and Ourselves

Help us restore the Mexican cloud forest and, in the process our world!

We see all life as sacred and worthy of care and respect. We strive to understand the interdependence and living unity of this fragile cloud forest ecosystem.

Twenty years ago, two Quaker educators pledged to restore 250 acres of deforested land near Huatusco, Mexico. Thus began a long journey of returning the land to cloud forest habitat.

We started by planting native trees during an annual Quaker Environmental Youth Leadership Program. Beginning in 2003, we welcomed high school and college-aged students to live and work in the cloud forest. More than 150 North American students participated in a transformative experience by assuming the role of environmental stewards. Thanks, in part to that experience, many of our alumni have gone on to careers as environmental lawyers, organic farmers, biologists, environmental educators, climate activists and responsible land stewards.

In collaboration with ecologists, scientists, local students and families, more than 40,000 native tree species have been planted. Today, a stunningly beautiful cloud forest is emerging. Nature has proven a willing partner to those who choose restoration. In the last 20 years, native pollinators (birds and insects), bats, amphibians and even some exotic mammal species have returned! A healthy forest brings greater resilience, and biodiversity, along with the essential ecosystem services we need (clean water and air, healthy soil, and stable landscapes in the face of extreme weather).

And we're growing up along with the forest!

In 2017, in collaboration with our Mexican neighbors, we inaugurated the Center for Spiritual Ecology (also known as the "Ashram del Bosque"). We created a magical gathering space in the middle of the cloud forest, in order to host more programs and volunteers. The urgency of climate change has motivated us to broaden our ambitions, seeking to restore as much land as we can, as quickly as possible.

"I used to think the top global environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address these problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a spiritual and cultural transformation, and we scientists don't know how to do that." James Gustave (Gus) Speth

With the cloud forest as our teacher, we, at the Center for Spiritual Ecology, seek to reestablish our harmonious relationship with the natural world -- placing the healing of that relationship at the center of everything we do.

How have we done this in the last 5 years?

1. Expanded cloud forest restoration acreage with a nursery for native trees and a network of neighbors ready to plant them.

2. Collaborated with neighbors to create a legally protected community-wide conservation area.

3. Modeled being in right relation with nature through:

• hands-on exposure to the tangible benefits of sustainable building, eating, water use, renewable energy practices and non-polluting eco-technologies

• local, organic food for guests and program participants

• day and multi-day immersive programs for students, teachers and the wider community that enhance our ability to conserve and restore this threatened ecosystem and encourage personal healing as an entry point to ecological literacy and land stewardship.

• bio-regional collaboration with non-profits, schools, and municipalities

• inter-generational cooperation and youth leadership opportunities

In 2020 we broke ground on our future hospitality center, including group and individual guest rooms, a new kitchen and dining area, a new organic kitchen garden and regenerative fruit and nut orchard. Using an innovative system known as syntropic agriculture (https://agendagotsch.com/en/) we are laying the foundation for a 30-year food system.

The last 2 years have been hard on progress, thanks to COVID.

Today, we invite you to help us finish our hospitality center and expand our model food production and reforestation efforts.

We have 4 capital campaign goals:

1. A beautiful off-grid hospitality center with individual and group rooms for up to 24 guests. Using local materials and sustainable building practices, the center will include showers, composting toilets, a solar hot water system for showers and a photovoltaic system for the entire complex. ($45,000)

2. An ecological kitchen and dining area, kitchen garden and fruit orchard (syntropic) that can provide meals for up to 50-day visitors. The kitchen will use solar electricity, and a fuel-efficient wood-burning oven and stove. Water will be processed using a plant-based filtration system. ($35,000)

3. New ecological restrooms (composting toilets) will accommodate day visitors near the entrance to the forest trails. This is a free-standing structure with two composting bathrooms, sinks, cleaning closet, greywater system, solar panels, and structure for holding waste until it is ready to be used on fruit trees. ($10,000)

4. Reforestation workshops for regional schools and municipalities ($10,000)

By meeting these 4 capital campaign goals, we can expand the urgent efforts to conserve and restore the cloud forest. We can transform individuals who will take seriously the role they can play in healing our world.

The total budget for this campaign is $100,000. Thanks to several major donors, we have already raised $40,000 and construction is underway! Our GoFundMe campaign goal is $30,000.

To get us to the finish line, we need new major donor partners this year as well, who can help us with the remaining $30,000. Will you join this group of major donors and make possible the work of restoring cloud forest habitat in the region, putting our relationship with nature front and center? If so, please contact us!