Oak Guardians: El Cuale Students Committed to Conservation

By Cristóbal Sánchez May 23, 2026

On April 15 and 16, 2026, a follow-up visit was conducted for the oak conservation project in the Sierra El Cuale, in western Jalisco.

This activity was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Maribel Arenas, a researcher from UNAM’s FES Iztacala and an expert on the region’s oak diversity, alongside her biology student, Gabriela Galván Rodríguez.

Environmental Education Through Art and Play

During this visit to the town of El Cuale, we continued the environmental education project for elementary and middle school children. This was achieved through a fabric printing workshop, where students used stamps inspired by the leaves and acorns of native oaks, including, of course, the Quercus cualensis.

We also assessed the knowledge acquired by the students through surveys and exercises tailored to their different age groups. The youth drew, colored, and talked about the plants and animals that inhabit the region.

In the Final Stretch of the Project

We are now in the final stretch of this two-year project supported by the International Oak Society, which has allowed us to work on the conservation of threatened and endemic tree species in western Mexico.

You Can Support Us Too!

You can also support conservation efforts by visiting the Vallarta Botanical Garden or making a donation here. We look forward to seeing you!