Our Journey
Through the Years
Land Acquisition
We acquired traditional cattle land in northern Mexico to adapt it for nature conservancy.
Wildlife Adaptation
We began habitat recovery through mechanical aeration, grass seed planting, and removing around 350 km of internal barbed wire fences.
Pilares Reserve
In preparation for our wildlife conservation program, we built the Pilares Desert Bighorn Sheep facility, now spanning 5,000 hectares within the natural reserve.
Project Launch
We launched the El Carmen conservation project with a baseline diversity inventory.
Renewed Grasslands
We started the restoration of El Carmen's grasslands. This ecosystem now covers 20,000 hectares inside the nature reserve.
Bighorn Sheep
After the construction of Pilares, we brought back 45 bighorn sheep. Now, their population has grown to over 250.
Return of the Mule Deer
We reintroduced 320 mule deer into the region.
Global Teamwork
We achieved this project in collaboration with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and US ranch owners.
A Continuous Effort
Since then, we've released over 900 mule deer, restoring the population in the region.
Certified Gold
We were awarded the Gold Tier Project of the Year by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC).
Animal Care
In addition to the WHC’s Gold Tier Program of the Year, El Carmen received the Species of Concern Project Award.
Habitat Conservation
We also won the WHC's Mammals Project Award, the Desert Project Award, and the Forest Project Award.
Special Delivery
We received 19 American bison from Rancho El Uno in Janos, Chihuahua.
Collaborative Work
This project was carried out in partnership with government and private organizations in Mexico.
An American Revival
After being considered extinct in the area for over a century, over 90 American bison now live together at the natural reserve.
First Birth
We celebrated the birth of the first 100% native offspring of American bison at El Carmen.
A New Generation
These baby bison descend from other calves born in the natural reserve during 2020, whose parents were the first of their kind to arrive in El Carmen.
A Conservation Win
The news signified the first breeding cycle of American bison in the area.
Location and size
A Biodiversity Legacy
Spanning over 130,000 hectares in the US-Mexico border, El Carmen is one of the most biodiverse areas in North America and one of the five great wilderness ecosystems in the world.
Partners and Collaborators
We've partnered with neighboring communities, government, private, and conservation organizations from Mexico and the US to preserve and enhance the reserve's biodiversity.
Scientific Research
El Carmen provides biodiversity research opportunities as an outdoor laboratory for students and academics from universities such as UAAN, ITESM, UANL, UNAM, UCLA, Yale, and Texas A&M.
+1.3K
STUDENTS AND ACADEMICS
19
MASTER AND PHD THESES
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scientific papers
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Have Any Questions?
While public visitation isn't possible, we welcome inquiries from researchers, conservationists, and those passionate about conservation.
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