The Earth Lab - Ejido Sisal

Along the coastal region of the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico, The Earth Lab has begun conservation and education projects in recent years. The Earth Lab is a consultancy headquartered in Mexico City specializing in the development and certification of sustainable projects and carbon markets. In the Hunucmá municipality of the Yucatan, they have managed to protect over 9,810 acres of mangrove and adjacent dry forests. These conservation efforts are designed to restore local habitats, protect biodiversity, provide habitat for jaguars and help mitigate climate impacts through carbon capture. The associated education projects aim to increase the community's and local landowners’ awareness of how environmental protections and resources can mitigate climate change and train key stakeholders in methods to measure biomass and carbon sequestration within mangroves.

Sisal

• Starting in March 2020, the project protects nearly 3,000 acres, including areas of reforestation to increase ecological value.
• The area includes over 20 native species, especially dense coverage of mangroves, in addition to species like the silver-leaved buttonwood and the Singapore graveyard flower. 
• In-depth monitoring occurred in April 2021, where 38 dry-forest and four mangrove species were observed.
• The project has found an increase in biomass and an improvement in the desired land cover, with results being used to design better monitoring, prioritize conservation efforts and improve management.

Sisal Community Earth Charette

• Since January 2016, the project involves education and awareness related to climate change mitigation efforts within mangrove and dry forests.
• In 2021, about a dozen participants were engaged for four hours through presentations and group activities.
• Using post-activity surveys, the project evaluates project success and participants' knowledge development as it relates to mangrove conservation.
• The project has been successful at reaching and educating the local community and improvements in educational content and presentations are planned. 

Carbon Bond Training Program - Forest Management

• Beginning in January 2021, the project reached nearly 20 landowners and employees in its first year.
• This training project includes content concerning carbon sequestration and mangrove conservation and supports the associated mangrove habitat project through biomass measurement activities.
• Participants used various field equipment to gather measurements for biomass and CO₂ sequestration including GPS, diametric tapes, field kits to collect samples and soil sampling instruments.
• By using post-activity surveys, the project evaluates project success and participants' knowledge and skills development.
• The project has been successful at training local landowners, and there are plans to improve content and training related to soil sampling techniques, which are important to accurately quantify the carbon sequestration of mangroves.  

Jaguar Conservation

• Starting in March 2016, this project targets the jaguar as a single native species, where mangrove forest cover has been added for its conservation.
• Through habitat improvements that provide additional vegetation coverage and food sources for their prey, the jaguar has better nesting and hunting territory.
• With baseline data from 2014, the team was able to confirm the local presence of jaguars and their prey.
• Although monitoring was affected by COVID, which resulted in limited data, the team has identified 11 large mammals including the jaguar using camera traps and observational data from transects.
• An evaluation considers the need for monitoring to take place in the dry season when jaguars are more likely to be observed.