Become a friend, get involved, take a stand for a sanctuary like no other. Long live Sierra Gorda! ¡Viva!

Biodiversity

•     The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve hosts a variety of life of global importance.

•     Due to its location in a transition zone between two bio-geographical regions (Nearctic and Neotropical) in Mexico, the Reserve harbors 15 types and subtypes of vegetation, thus constituting the richest protected natural area in the country in terms of ecosystem diversity and the second richest in terms of biodiversity.

•     2,308 plant species identified, many of them endemic
•     124 fungi species have been reported so far
•     566 vertebrate species have been recorded to date
•     325 bird species
•     110 mammal species
•     97 reptile species
•     34 amphibian species
•     650 butterfly species
•     Endangered species: jaguar, Humboldt butterfly, black bear, bearded-wood partridge and military macaw
•     All six of Mexico´s feline species are present: jaguar, puma, ocelot, bobcat, margay and jaguarundi

3% of the Biosphere Reserve territory is federal property, 27% is ejido and 70% is private property.
•     The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is one of the most densely populated protected areas in Mexico with 94,000 inhabitants.
•     638 localities, more than half with fewer than 100 inhabitants.
•     The annual population growth rate in the Reserve was formerly the highest in the State of Querétaro, but has decreased in recent years due to hight migration rates.
•     Of the five municipalities of the Reserve, four are classified as highly marginalized and the fifth as very highly marginalized.
•     More than 23 percent of the Reserve´s population is illiterate.
•     31.5 percent of the population finished primary education in contrast to 59.1 percent statewide.
•     AFTER 20 YEARS of environmental education and community organizing, almost 90% of local society believe their lives have improved by living within a federal Biosphere Reserve.