Merida = Xtepen + Caliza II (Mexico)

About the Program
The CEMEX Xtepen + Caliza II plant is located in Merida, Mexico. The company has an environmental education project and associated habitat, a hummingbird and pollinator garden. The participatory environmental program (PRAC) trains young people to be environmental leaders in their communities, evaluates community attitudes and supports restoration projects. A comprehensive strategy was developed for teaching and evaluating the program effectiveness. Students participate in planting and monitoring the garden to augment their conservation education. The program was launched in April 2019.

Practices and Impacts

• High school students are trained as "environmental promoters" who help teach their communities about habitats and species of the Yucatan region.
• Environmental promoters receive training twice a week, consisting of classroom training with an environmental educator and training with specialists from various disciplines.
• The program brings together schools, environmental specialists, government, NGOs, the private sector and the larger community. Approximately 25 employees and 30 students and partners participate.
• Education places a strong emphasis on community awareness and responsibility for the environment. The program evaluates environmental awareness and attitudes as well as how these change before and after events.
• Habitats associated with the education project are a small pollinator garden and the larger surrounding area on the property. Field activities include planting and maintenance of the garden. Students monitor the garden and upload observation data on flora and fauna to Naturalista, a national conservation database.