Good Works Gazette – July 2026

México Te Quiero Verde

Joaquín Villanueva Rosales and Cinthya Verónica Velarde Nuño are building something ambitious from the ground up: a native forest nursery dedicated to restoring Mexico’s compromised ecosystems. Their project, México Te Quiero Verde, began with a shared love of nature and a growing awareness that many native tree species are disappearing from the landscapes where they once flourished. Rather than focusing on ornamental imports, the couple is dedicated to producing native forest species adapted to the soils, climate, and wildlife of Jalisco and Mexico.

Cinthya, a biologist, spent fourteen years working in forestry and conservation programs, where she deepened her knowledge of Mexico’s remarkable biodiversity. Joaquín, an electrical-mechanical engineer by training, grew up fascinated by the natural world. Together, they combined science, engineering, and a deep affection for Mexico into a mission centered on restoration and education.

Ask them about native trees, and the conversation quickly becomes animated. They describe tepame, huizache, mezquite, tepehuaje, and palo dulce not simply as trees, but as ecological partners. Some enrich depleted soils, others provide food for wildlife and livestock, while species such as encinos (oaks) help stabilize hillsides and resist wildfire damage. They also speak passionately about species that are less known to the public but deeply important to local ecosystems, including the endangered primavera amarilla and palo de rosa, both admired for their spectacular flowering canopies.

Producing native forest trees is far more complicated than many people realize. Seed collection alone can require years of monitoring flowering cycles and locating healthy parent trees. Some species produce viable seed annually; others may only do so every decade. Their work often involves traveling into remote regions and collaborating closely with local communities, whose knowledge of the land is invaluable. “Producing a forest tree is an enormous undertaking,” Joaquín explained.

Building the nursery itself has been another challenge. Suitable land is expensive, infrastructure must be built gradually, and specialized permits are required before opening fully to the public. The couple credits family, friends, and supporters for helping the project continue moving forward during difficult periods, including a year in which Joaquín struggled with serious health issues that temporarily slowed their progress. They singled out local Chapala rancher Israel Mexia Luna for his especially generous support in offering space for their saplings.

One of their proudest accomplishments so far has been successfully producing more than 7,000 oak seedlings during an early trial run. Oaks are notoriously difficult to grow and require extremely precise timing. “It was monumental work,” they said, “but they came through.”

Beyond restoration, the couple hopes their nursery will eventually become a living classroom where children and young people can connect directly with nature. Rather than learning only from textbooks, they envision students planting seeds, touching soil, and understanding firsthand how ecosystems function. They believe public awareness is changing. More people are beginning to appreciate Mexico’s own native flora and recognize the importance of restoring local ecosystems with species adapted to the region’s climate and conditions.

For Joaquín and Cinthya, the dream extends far beyond a small nursery. They imagine a future where native trees become standard choices for schools, neighborhoods, roadsides, restoration projects, and urban planning throughout Mexico. And with every seed collected and every sapling grown, they are already helping shape that future.

As México Te Quiero Verde continues to grow, Joaquín and Cinthya are also exploring the process of becoming an asociación civil, which would allow the project to expand its educational and environmental outreach in the future. For now, community support remains essential. Readers who would like to help can do so by purchasing saplings for their own properties or by making donations to support the nursery’s ongoing development and native reforestation efforts. Joaquín Villanueva Rosales can be contacted directly at joe.920904@gmail.com for more information about the project and ways to contribute.

Good Works Gazette features a different local group doing good work in our community each month. If you would like to nominate a group to be featured, please email Daria Hilton at editorelojodellago@gmail.com.