Written by Alex Ruelase

Grupo Ecologista del Mayab

As one of the most vocal environmental organizations in the area, Grupo Ecologista del Mayab (GEMA) has been behind many crucial fights, from leading the citizen defense of Malecón Tajamar in Cancún to currently denouncing illegal development in the island of Holbox. Captained by director Araceli Domínguez, they address issues on many fronts of the environmental agenda, from animal rights abuses to harmful development in fragile ecosystems.

GEMA has been active for more than 30 years. In that time, they have participated in countless movements and helped establish vital protected areas, such as the sea turtle sanctuary at Xcacel-Xcacelito. Today, they remain potent and mobile, with multiple lawsuits pending and consistently putting nature front and center of public debates. In short, they are the strong side of environmental activism in the Riviera Maya.

Makers global

Makers Global is all about community. It was founded by a group of concerned locals and travelers who organized themselves to stop being spectators and, in their own words, “make things happen”. And they do. Focusing on localized actions with global awareness, they bring people together through beach cleanups and other group-building activities.

They have also taken action for vulnerable locals. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, they launched an ongoing fundraiser to help workers who either lost their jobs or were not able to stay at home. Their media campaign helped finance community kitchens, which provided daily meals. Makers is an open community. 

If you would like to join one of their cleanups, the only thing you have to do is to follow them on social media and stay tuned. The next one will surely happen soon.

Amigos de Sian Ka’an

Amigos de Sian Ka’an is one of the most important environmental organizations in Mexico. It was founded in 1986 to guarantee the correct management of the newly created Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Since then, they have widened their scope to engage with development and conservation issues all around the Yucatán Peninsula.

Based on scientific data and enabled by public donations, this NGO works to preserve the most important ecosystems in the area, including reefs, jungles and aquifers. Further, they run environmental education and climate change mitigation programmes, and work with community ecotourism and environmental organizations to create a more inclusive development model for the region. 

Red Tulum Sostenible

This cooperative organization wants a bright environmental future for Tulum. As the city rapidly expands, Red Tulum Sostenible is working to ensure environmental programs are also part of the development project. Along with their partners, they are a hub for all kinds of grassroots initiatives, from recycling and urban gardening efforts to reporting on environmental violations and training local nature guides.

Red Tulum Sostenible functions truly as a network, providing a space for many actors to come together in building stronger, healthier relationships with nature. Anyone who is looking to get involved should follow them. Whether you want to know where to take your recyclables, would like to become an expert on jungle vegetation or are looking for salsa lessons, the Red has something for you.

Centinelas del Arrecife

This grassroots group of women started monitoring Puerto Morelos’ reefs in 2018. Aware of the impacts of urbanization, tourism and global warming, they formed a brigade of marine biologists that now works alongside the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) to assess and protect corals. 

On a regular basis, Centinelas del Arrecife goes out to sea to take measurements and develop strategies for preserving marine ecosystems. They work within and around Puerto Morelos Reefs National Park, which has of late been severely affected by storms and coral bleaching. Further, Centinelas regularly organize online conferences, spearhead community vigilance efforts, and inspire others to join their cause. So regardless of your particular interest or geographical location, they make it easy to engage with the conservation of our oceans.

Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental

Although not strictly local, the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (in Spanish, CEMDA) is a crucial environmental player in the Riviera Maya. It has been active for 28 years with the mission of enforcing environmental law and protecting land defenders all around the country. 

In 2001 they decided to establish a local office in Cancún, as the head-spinning rate of development in the area required constant threat monitoring. Today, they even have an aerial survey program to detect unreported land use change. So yeah, they mean business. CEMDA remains active, issuing recommendations, fostering interdisciplinary action, and providing tools for local authorities to uphold environmental regulations. 

Humans 4 Reefs

When Pam and Sam came to live in the Riviera Maya, they fell in love with the ocean. Sadly, they also became aware of how rapidly it is deteriorating. “Plastic pollution, overfishing, global warming, ocean acidification”. The list of problems is indeed long and bleak. However, rather than attempting to ignore the issue, they decided to tackle it head on.

For a number of years now, they have been putting time, effort and resources into aiding coral restoration programs. They have been raising awareness, spreading information about coral bleaching and looking for partners to establish restoration schemes. Now, they are close to establishing their own restoration area, and aim to keep working to protect these severely threatened ecosystems.