Cozumel Youth Group Marks 10 Years of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with Conservation Focus

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — A youth organization celebrated the 10th anniversary of Cozumel’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation with events focused on environmental conservation, cultural identity, and youth participation.

The group Jovenes MAB Isla Cozumel, led by Enrique Nemias Tec Sulub, organized the commemoration, bringing together various institutions and collectives that have collaborated in protecting the island’s natural and cultural wealth.

Tec Sulub explained that the celebration included thematic discussions with specialists on birds, corals, seagrasses, reptiles, and crocodiles, along with sessions dedicated to cultural identity.

“A reserve isn’t just biological—it’s also cultural,” Tec Sulub said. “We want the community to recognize that we live in an environment with great richness that we must value and protect.”

The event featured thematic tables on biodiversity and culture. Tec Sulub noted that the group formally organized three years ago and has since worked to promote awareness of the reserve through workshops, environmental fairs, and visits to schools and urban parks. These activities aim to educate both Cozumel residents and tourists about the importance of conserving the island’s ecosystems.

Currently, the organization has about 50 members, primarily students, though participation is open to any interested young person. Their goal is to promote youth empowerment around Cozumel’s cultural identity and biodiversity.

The group has received guidance and funding from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) through the PROCODES program, which has enabled them to organize environmental fairs and acquire materials for their activities.

The 10th anniversary celebration served as a space for reflection on progress made over the past decade and ongoing challenges, with organizers emphasizing that youth participation is key to ensuring conservation translates into community benefits and sustainable development models.