Canopy of Life: Restoring Mexico's Forests

Restoring the forests of Quintana Roo through sustainable management, community empowerment, and protection of the Mayab’s rich wildlife

Bonos Aroma del Mayab is a forestry initiative based in Quintana Roo, Mexico, designed to empower local communities within a rich and diverse woodland ecosystem. The project, developed by Earthlab, promotes sustainable forest management through activities such as reforestation, afforestation, forest road maintenance, the creation of firebreaks, and the prevention and control of forest fires. It also addresses forest health by managing pests and diseases and applies silvicultural treatments authorized by SEMARNAT. Under official permits and in compliance with FSC Certification standards, the project extracts marketable wood responsibly while maintaining continuous monitoring of local flora and fauna. Wildlife at the project site includes bats, white-tailed deer, wild boar, spider monkeys, pumas, ocelots, and jaguars, among others. Community surveillance brigades further ensure preservation of the forest mass and the long-term increase of carbon stocks, fostering ecological balance and cultural cohesion in this multicultural region.

Rooted in the rich cultural landscape of the Yucatán Peninsula, the Aroma del Mayab project strengthens the livelihoods and resilience of Maya-speaking communities whose heritage is deeply intertwined with the forest. In this region, local people have long understood the land not merely as a resource, but as part of their identity and spirituality. The project honors this bond by ensuring that traditional ecological knowledge guides sustainable forest management practices, promoting harmony between people and nature. Through Mexico’s unique ejido system of communal land management, local stewards continue to protect the “jungle of life,” preserving biodiversity and cultural integrity while passing ancestral wisdom and the Mayan language to younger generations.

At the same time, the project is a catalyst for equitable economic growth. It generates income for over 1,200 families through activities linked to forestry, ecotourism, and climate-smart agriculture, empowering local producers to manage resources sustainably while strengthening community autonomy. Women play a leading role, taking on positions of leadership and contributing to decision-making processes that foster gender equity and inclusive development. By aligning cultural preservation with sustainable economic opportunities, the Aroma del Mayab initiative revitalizes traditional livelihoods, promotes environmental education, and helps secure a dignified and prosperous future for Mayan communities, where cultural pride, ecological stewardship, and economic empowerment coexist in balance.

Additional details can be found on our Project Information page.