Setting up a partnership for the cartographic study

The University of Perpignan is a long-standing partner of the Reserve, and a number of academics are members of the Reserve's Scientific Council and are regularly involved in numerous monitoring projects. They took part in the drafting of the latest 2015-2019 management plan, helping to define the manager's expectations and responses to the various problems encountered. The proximity of the site makes the Reserve a veritable open-air laboratory for these researchers. The University of Perpignan had already mapped the Reserve's rocky substrates in 3D to an accuracy of 30 cm (see PJ). This mapping enabled us to gain a better understanding of the area and adapt the means used to obtain results of such precision. Thanks to this knowledge of the terrain, our mastery of this technical equipment and the expectations of the Gestionnaie through precise specifications, we were able to obtain an appropriate and fair price for this monitoring project.

It was important to identify the partners capable of meeting the manager's expectations. The numerous monitoring projects carried out in this field have enabled us to adapt the objectives and fill in the gaps left by previous studies. The partners' knowledge of the field helped us to carry out this study. Last but not least, the mastery of the various tools used during the study enabled the monitoring to be carried out in an optimal manner.

A large number of upstream exchanges were necessary to carry out this monitoring. New technologies have made it possible to fill in the gaps identified in previous studies. Thanks to these new resources, it was necessary to identify the right partners from the outset. This preparation enabled us to target expectations and thus reduce the cost of monitoring.

Use of a drone to complete the mapping of the Reserve's shallow waters

The shallow depth near the coast precluded the use of sonar in these areas, which have sufficient water transparency to allow remote sensing. In order to complete the mapping of the shallow waters during this survey, the use of a Phantom 4MD drone during one outing enabled a clear interpretation of the Peyrefite area in terms of Posidonia, particularly in view of its shallow depth. A second outing enabled us to obtain further orthophotos along the "Tynes" coast. Due to lack of time and poor weather conditions, the Pin Parasol area did not benefit from orthophotos. Using a drone, we were able to obtain an orthophoto that accurately revealed seagrass beds or dead matte through water transparency.

The choice of using these systems is due to the characteristics of the study sites. The Albères coast has one of the lowest water transparency levels in the Mediterranean. The combined use of these three monitoring systems made it possible to obtain surface data for the various locations and thus determine their evolution. Knowledge of the area also contributed to the smooth running of the monitoring program.

It is necessary to adapt the equipment to the different conditions of the study area. For this survey, the combination of the 3 pieces of equipment was validated for 2 of the 3 sites. The third site, where the meadow was the deepest, did not allow the use of the drone. However, the 2 other methods, combined with ground truthing, produced very satisfactory and complementary results.

Understanding different customer segments and their expectations

The purpose of BB3 was to understand the consumer's specific preferences and willingness to buy with respect to price, presentation, product characteristics and sustainable form of production.

  • Conduct ongoing market price comparison analysis.
  • Validate consumers' willingness to buy for various price ranges and product presentations.
  • Identify specific outlets and channels to reach the right consumer segments.
  • There is a segment of customers willing to pay a higher price for meat that is healthier for them and has less environmental impact.
  • Market trends with respect to the various presentations and commercial cuts of the product are fundamental for the economic viability of a sustainable product.
  • Building alliances with channels is essential to validate the product's value offer.
Collaboration schemes with farmers

The purpose of BB2 is to identify ad hoc collaboration mechanisms with producers that consider their technical and financial needs, as well as their business management capabilities.

  • Define mechanisms that provide certainty to producers regarding the price, timing and conditions of the purchase in advance.
  • To be able to finance the producer under a scheme that makes sense to him and allows him to have real profits.
  • Collaboration mechanisms should be flexible and varied to adjust to the reality of a wide range of producers.
  • For producers with less than 10 head under fattening, collaboration mechanisms should include financing schemes.
  • Sustainable sharecropping has proven to be a viable mechanism for small producers.
  • Be able to adapt collaboration schemes.
Convincing producers to adopt regenerative livestock husbandry methods

The purpose of BB1 is to convince producers of the economic benefits of regenerative ranching (in particular SSPi).

Regenerative ranching requires the producer to modify: the way he invests and operates his ranch, as well as livestock management.

  • Clearly present the economic advantages, even as infrastructure investment priorities change.
  • Recognize the importance of investing both in the conversion to a silvopastoral system and in infrastructure that facilitates intensive livestock management (e.g. more fencing and/or electric fencing to reduce paddock area, invest in more water troughs to improve animal weight gain).
  • Leverage on the experiences of pioneer cattle producers who have already converted their ranches.
  • Producers are not accustomed to investing in the regeneration of their ranches. The cost of converting to a silvopastoral system is perceived as an expense that detracts from their ability to invest in more cattle. "We are not forestry producers" is the typical response from producers.
  • Even when the silvopastoral system is implemented, intensive livestock management requires more initial effort on the part of the ranch operating team, particularly at the beginning.
  • Demonstrate the economic benefits of regenerative livestock through visits to converted ranches.
  • Practical capacity building for producers.
Provide an implicit benefit for forest conservation in the forestry sector - processing timber does not imply a negative impact

The forestry sector is very attractive to long-term investors. To achieve success, it is important to lower credit and access to creditors.

To have a broader portfolio of investors, which will allow us to continue growing the business while continuing to conserve Mexico's forests.

In 2018, we incorporated approximately 600 new effective hectares of land, all in the area of Huimanguillo, Tabasco, and we harvested and released more than 1,500 hectares, of which we selected strategic hectares and began the second rotation on these same lands with the Proteak standard.

Likewise, we continued to support the association program with small landowners initiated in 2015, which was a success and allowed us to reach more than 800 accumulated hectares incorporated under this scheme in the 2018 fiscal year.

  • Implement commitments and standards for environmentally responsible operation and production.
  • Defined and proven business plan
  • Investor profile sensitized to the issue of sustainability and its value.
  • Certifications in the lands where we work; Forest Stewardship Council®; CARB 2, which establishes low formaldehyde emission standards in materials such as plywood, particleboard and MDF, to avoid health damage when working with any of these materials; Verified Carbon Standard, among others.

Focus on sustainability within the business model in order to have

Access to Development Agencies, corporate arms of the agencies or investors looking to "green their portfolio".

High level of commitment to access this type of business gives you a higher added value (competitiveness).

To implement a business of this type and work with a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental care, it is important to understand the market and its needs, understand the national and international competition.

In addition, you must have an integral vision that allows you to visualize the environmental and social impacts.

environmental and social impacts.

Creating a business environment for the sustainable forestry sector

The main purpose is to create the conditions to develop sustainable commercial forestry plantations (CFP).

Through the recovery of degraded and idle land for forestry vocation, within the framework of sustainable forest management.

The plantations that are used because of the type of tree, are not as intensive as other crops, and help the regeneration of soils.

In relation to carbon credits, several transactions were carried out in 2018, for a total volume of 6,326 tCO2. Additionally, Proteak was invited to be part of the Offsets Working Group, convened by SEMARNAT, to discuss the inclusion of forestry projects in the Carbon Bond Market in Mexico.

  • The economic robustness of the company, and having a financial model of the project for the investment, allowed to weather the time and keep the business afloat.
  • It is fundamental to be able to count on the necessary investment so that the business could have a larger scale.
  • One success was the selection of the species (TECA Eucalyptus), which have different characteristics and diverse production processes.
  • Continue the effort to develop high quality and productive genetic material. The eucalyptus hybridization orchard that was inaugurated in 2016 has successfully conducted field trials with four new clone varieties, some with very promising results.
  • Find alternatives to address the various types of land tenure, for example, if it is ejido, communal, if it is private, etc.
  • There is no public policy Forestry Plan, or strategy.
  • Legislative to reinforce the forestry law
  • Dumping of fiber, attempts have been made to stop it, but there is no tariff (should be the first thing to guarantee the development of national forestry projects).
  • Combat illegal timber trafficking
  • Select species with a business purpose and linked to processing - finished product.
  • It is a plus to have a sustainable approach to forest management.
  • Always have a business approach, always have profitability / source of income.
Biodiversity protection

To conserve one of the most biodiverse sites in the world and contribute to the increase of populations of bird, fish, mammal, etc. species.

  • Institutional support and commitment - public agencies.

  • Protected areas service committed and functioning.

  • Communities convinced of the benefits of conservation.

  • Continuous field support through allies, such as civil organizations and governmental institutions.

  • To implement a successful measure that aims to protect and conserve the territory, it is important to give a value to the territory. In this case, the ideal formula was found by giving value to the fruits of the forest. This measure has allowed the inhabitants of the forest to care for and prevent deforestation in the area. In addition, it has helped foster the local economy and improve people's quality of life by providing them with an option for development and growth.
  • A comprehensive vision of land management is needed. To implement a project of this type and ensure its success, it is desirable that those who design it understand that everything in nature is interconnected.
  • It would be desirable that all companies in the world become models of circular economy and thus avoid millions of carbon emissions.
  • Alliances with different institutions and organizations strengthen the project.
Community empowerment

The communities that inhabit the reserve should lead the protection and conservation of the forest while at the same time improving people's quality of life.

The project seeks to empower the communities, providing them with tools for the responsible management of their resources. Part of the focus is also to facilitate the development of sustainable businesses from them, with the possibility of forming cooperatives so that they can market their products together.

The training and tools provided are focused on good practices and management plans that allow and encourage forest conservation.

  • Pay fair prices to generate income that will prevent their migration and allow them to protect the forest.
  • To have a constant market for the products (to boost supply-demand).
  • Ensure that fruit harvesting is sufficient and constant to meet the company's demand.
  • Train producers in good practices and conservation.
  • Adequate management plans
  • Ensure that the supply chain is sustainable.
  • It is necessary to be permanently close to the communities.
  • Have a lot of patience. Projects take time.
  • Do not generate expectations that cannot be fulfilled.
  • It is a long-term project.
  • It is important to diversify the offer with parallel projects, in this case, other than forest fruit gathering. For this reason, we are developing other options, for example, the "turtle egg collection" where turtles are protected and released into the rivers for their reproduction and growth. We have managed to release 6,000 turtles into the river.
Alliances with key stakeholders

The project focuses on companies that use the natural resources of the NPAs and provides training to companies and the local population in biodiversity conservation, in alliance with various governmental institutions.

Achieving cooperation between the different actors in the territory is transcendental to create links with the communities, companies and SERNANP. The participation of local populations and producers throughout implementation has undoubtedly been one of the main success factors.

  • Scientific information must be available to make decisions.
  • The use of resources should not be an imposition; it is an activity that should be articulated with the uses and customs of the local population.
  • Have a well-defined plan for harvesting under SERNANP's defined criteria.