Nestlé Waters planted 3,000 native trees in Puebla’s Izta-Popo region as part of its annual reforestation program, advancing a conservation model that has already resulted in the planting of 789,904 trees across the area. The initiative, carried out in partnership with the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), aims to protect water resources, preserve biodiversity and strengthen local communities involved in forest management.
The reforestation day, held at the Santa María forest in Tlahuapan, brought together around 100 participants, including company employees, community members and ejido authorities. Volunteers planted native species adapted to the region, including Pinus montezumae, Pinus pseudostrobus and Pinus patula, as part of efforts to restore forest cover and support water recharge in the Alto Atoyac watershed.
The conservation strategy is supported by the Local Payment Mechanisms for Environmental Services (MLPSA) through Joint Funds, under two agreements between Nestlé Waters and CONAFOR covering the periods 2022-2026 and 2024-2028. Through this partnership, more than 4,800ha have been conserved and more than 750ha reforested, benefiting 18 agrarian communities and ejidos in the Alto Atoyac watershed.
“The conservation of this watershed is not a one-day task, it is a way of inhabiting the territory in harmony. Today we planted 3,000 trees with our Tlahuapan family, but the real news is the support ecosystem we have built with CONAFOR and the ejido members over decades. Every drop of water that emerges from this spring is the result of thousands of hectares protected by local hands,” said Miguel García, Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Waters.
Beyond forest restoration, the initiative includes community-based actions focused on climate resilience and local economic development. The program supports 18 forest protection brigades made up of 180 local members responsible for monitoring, preventing and combating forest fires.
It also includes community forest nurseries that produce 504,500 native plants, including ocote chino, pino religioso and oak species. These nurseries generate local employment while ensuring that reforestation efforts use species with suitable genetic characteristics for Puebla’s ecosystems.
The conservation model also promotes sustainable productive activities, including low-impact ecotourism projects such as cabins, zip lines and interpretive trails for regulated firefly observation. These initiatives aim to diversify income sources for Tlahuapan families while maintaining forest conservation objectives.
Nestlé Waters concluded the reforestation event with environmental awareness activities and a botanical recognition rally for participants. The company highlighted that long-term water security depends on the health of forest ecosystems and the participation of communities that manage and protect them.