Students help restore 100 hectares of mangrove in Sian Ka’an

Cancún — Students from the Environmental Engineering program in the Department of Basic Sciences and Engineering at Universidad del Caribe participated in the third expedition to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, joining an important conservation effort coordinated by the association Amigos de Sian Ka’an, A.C.

100 Hectares of Mangrove Restored in Punta Allen

The work took place in El Playón from October 31 to November 3, 2025, facing the community of Punta Allen (Javier Rojo Gómez), a key site for mangrove restoration. This ecosystem suffered severe degradation of more than 500 hectares affected since 1982, when the construction of a dirt road interrupted the natural water flow.

Thanks to the joint effort of the Xhazil Sur community, the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and Amigos de Sian Ka’an, actions have been implemented to recover 100 hectares of red mangrove through the rehabilitation of hydrological flows, the construction of dispersion centers and reforestation, essential for biodiversity, coastal protection and carbon capture.

Environmental Monitoring Actions Carried Out

In this stage, Universidad del Caribe joined as an ally, since May of this year, to strengthen environmental monitoring, indispensable for evaluating the progress of restoration and ensuring that the actions have a positive long-term impact. During the expedition, students participated in measurements of flow and sea and lagoon levels, analysis of carbon flows, combining science, academic training and community collaboration.

These efforts would not be possible without institutional support through the Department of Basic Sciences and Engineering via the Environmental Engineering Educational Program, the Secretary of Extension and Linkage of Universidad del Caribe, and the association Amigos de Sian Ka’an, A.C.

Participating Students and Faculty

• Luah Real Villareal
• Emili Guadalupe Lara Hernández
• Isaac Gómez Sánchez
• José Ernesto Maldonado Aguilar
• Blanca Denisse Nogueda
• Roberto Bartlett Woodside Ehuan
• Jephte Natanael Menéndez Jerónimo
• Jenifer Guadalupe López Pérez
• Montserrat del Rosario González González
• Karla Paola Noh Borges
• José Isaías Flores Pat

Faculty:

• M.C. Jennifer Méndez Torrez – Faculty (Mangrove)
• Dr. Juan Francisco Bárcenas Graniel – Faculty (Hydrology)

From the Amigos de Sian Ka’an Association:

• Biol. Alonso A. Serna Medina
• MC Israel E. Ortiz Ponce

Result of Combined Efforts

With the strength of science, community and interinstitutional cooperation, we advance in the recovery of one of the most valuable ecosystems of Sian Ka’an.

The restoration work was developed by CINVESTAV Mérida and ENES Mérida, with resources from CONANP, INECC, MarFund, NAWCA, among others, and executed by members of the communities of Tres Reyes, X-hazil and Chun om.