Environment
Fundación Carlos Slim remains committed to preserving a healthy environment to reduce the risks of climate change and biodiversity loss in Mexico, for the benefit of present and future generations.
Through partnerships with civil society organizations, academic institutions, and government entities, it supports projects focused on the conservation and restoration of ecosystems and species, as well as education and social development related to the country's natural wealth.
Designed, constructed, and installed by Fundación Carlos Slim, this pavilion was donated to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and spans 12,230 square meters.
The National Biodiversity Pavilion is an interactive museum featuring various research areas from UNAM's Institute of Biology, inviting visitors to learn about Mexico's biodiversity.
It houses an extensive collection with 294,000 specimens and over 3,820 species from Mexico's biodiversity. The pavilion includes molecular biology, zoology, botany, and sequencing laboratories, combined with significant educational, guidance, and outreach components.
It also features temporary art exhibitions from the Soumaya Museum, technological innovations, biodiversity conferences, a Digital Library, and showcases the lives and works of prominent Mexican scientists
Additionally, the Telmex Telcel - Fundación Carlos Slim Digital Library promotes biodiversity care and conservation through workshops, activities, and conferences that foster scientific vocation.
Nobel Prize Mario Molina
A special exhibition honors Nobel Laureate Mario Molina, displaying significant items from his career, such as his basic microscope and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry medal.
Results
494,532 visitors.
Fishing Refuges in Yucatán
Fishing communities, in collaboration with Comunidad y Biodiversidad, work to identify areas where fishing activities are regulated and restricted to recover populations of octopus, lobster, and various fish species.
Fishing Refuges in Baja California Sur
Fishermen along the coastal strip between Loreto and La Paz, together with Sociedad de Historia Natural Niparajá, implement a network of zones with fishing restrictions as part of sustainable fishery management.
Jaguar Habitat Protection in Yucatán
Small-scale ranchers from ejidos preserving the last jungle areas inhabited by jaguars are reducing their impact on wild ecosystems with the support of Pronatura Península de Yucatán.
Strengthening Coral Conservation in the Mexican Caribbean.
UNAM's Integral Research Laboratory for Reef Conservation develops globally recognized techniques that aid in coral reef recovery, helping mitigate storm wave damage and beach erosion in Quintana Roo.
Restoration of the Islas Marías
The rich biodiversity of these islands has been affected by human activity and invasive species like cats and goats. To aid in the recovery of native species, the Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas works on eradicating invasive mammals.
Fishing Refuges in Yucatán.
Fishing communities, in collaboration with Comunidad y Biodiversidad, work to identify areas where fishing activities are regulated and restricted to recover populations of octopus, lobster, and various fish species.
Fishing Refuges in Baja California Sur
Fishermen along the coastal strip between Loreto and La Paz, together with Sociedad de Historia Natural Niparajá, implement a network of zones with fishing restrictions as part of sustainable fishery management.
Jaguar Habitat Protection in Yucatán.
Small-scale ranchers from ejidos preserving the last jungle areas inhabited by jaguars are reducing their impact on wild ecosystems with the support of Pronatura Península de Yucatán.
Strengthening Coral Conservation in the Mexican Caribbean
UNAM's Integral Research Laboratory for Reef Conservation develops globally recognized techniques that aid in coral reef recovery, helping mitigate storm wave damage and beach erosion in Quintana Roo.
The rich biodiversity of these islands has been affected by human activity and invasive species like cats and goats. To aid in the recovery of native species, the Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas works on eradicating invasive mammals.
Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila
In 2022, Fundación Carlos Slim registered the wildlife conservation management unit “Cuatro Ciénegas” with SEMARNAT. Spanning 2,952 hectares, and located in the Cuatro Ciénegas Valley in Coahuila, this unit is dedicated, in collaboration with the Institute of Ecology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), to studying natural processes occurring in the area—such as wetland succession and dune formation—that help maintain ecosystem health.
Independencia, Baja California
This area was registered in 2017 for the recovery, care, and conservation of habitat for species such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, bobcat, and cougar.
Between 1975 and 2006, the open-air landfill of Bordo de Xochiaca, in the State of Mexico, accumulated over 12 million tons of waste. It is estimated that the landfill generated around 22,000 tons of dust and particles annually, and the equivalent of 200 m³ of pollutants in sewage water, affecting over 5 million people.
The Ciudad Jardín Bicentenario project (2008) became one of the most significant urban and sustainable redevelopment projects globally, transforming an environmental liability into an economic and social asset for local residents. On a 150-hectare site, the project included the development of a shopping center, a Teletón children's rehabilitation center, two universities, a hospital, and one of the largest sports centers in the country with 54 courts and an Olympic stadium with a capacity of 3,650 people. More than 132,000 people benefit from these sports facilities annually.
The environmental engineering process involved advanced technology for compacting waste, applying layers, installing biogas recovery systems, and covering the area with soil and grass.
Results
This project was conceived with a perspective of economic self-sustainability and environmental benefits:
Over 350,000 m² of grass
93,000 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided annually
Potential for recovery of up to 5 million liters of water through rainwater recovery lagoons
Natura y Ecosistemas Mexicanos A.C. with the support of Fundación Carlos Slim, implemented actions to conserve ecosystems and species in the Lacandon Jungle, one of the last remaining tropical rainforests in Mexico, home to more than 20% of the country's biodiversity.
Results
The southern area of the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve and the sites where three field stations are located have maintained forest cover, with high abundance of species such as tapirs and ocelots, although jaguar numbers have declined. Over eight years of monitoring, the number of scarlet macaws sighted monthly has increased.
Aquatic ecosystems continue to exhibit high environmental quality, based on biological richness, species abundance, and the presence of bioindicators.
In the community of Lacanjá Chansayab and ejidos in the Marqués de Comillas municipality, jobs have been created and income increased for at least 300 local families through the strengthening of 10 ecotourism projects, 5 social enterprises, and 3 wildlife management units for species like paca and agouti.
In 11 ejidos, the National Forestry Commission’s Payment for Environmental Services program has benefited 650 families. These actions have helped conserve nearly 12,000 hectares of jungle.
A citizen science platform coordinated by CONABIO from 2014 to 2023, in alliance with Fundación Carlos Slim, to learn about the diversity of plants and animals that inhabit Mexico.
People participated by sharing photos of plants, animals, and fungi, which were identified by a network of experts (curators) and the Naturalista community. The platform’s contributions have supported science, education, tourism development, and nature conservation in Mexico.
Results (2014-2023)
4'518,84 observations
44,975 recorded species
125,029 registered users
5,128 projects in protected natural areas,
archaeological zones, botanical gardens, parks, forests, schools, and universities, among others.
The WWF–FCS Alliance operated for 10 years (2009-2019), and became the most important conservation and sustainable development initiative in Mexico due to its collaborative, multisectoral approach, focus on national and local priorities, and financial commitment.
World Wildlife Fund, a global leader in environmental protection, and Fundación Carlos Slim Slim joined forces with local, national, and international partners to combine efforts and financial and human resources for sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in Mexico. Investments also supported national and regional climate change goals in coordination with federal and state agencies.
Results
69 partners developed
105 projects in 6 priority regions:
Mesoamerican Reef
Chiapas,
Chihuahuan Desert,
Gulf of California,
Monarch Butterfly Reserve
Oaxaca
This program, part of the WWF–Telmex Telcel Alliance, focuses on conserving priority species including the monarch butterfly migration across North America, large cats like the jaguar, and key marine species in the Gulf of California such as whales, sharks, and turtles.
Results
Nature in Your School:
An environmental education program that has given over 1,500 talks to more than 120,000 students in elementary, middle, and high schools over eight years. Since 2020, the digital version Nature at Home has involved more than 5,000 families, resulting in over 40 million web interactions and around 31 scientific conferences on species.
WWF–Telcel App Provides information about three endangered species protected by the alliance: great white shark, monarch butterfly, and jaguar.
Adventures in Nature:
A documentary series available to the public on the Claro Video streaming platform.
- The Great White Shark: Ocean Guardian.
- Monarch Butterfly: The Extraordinary Hibernation of the Forest Queen.
- Sea Turtle: A Traveler’s Journey.
Special Publications:
A series of publications on priority species protected by the WWF–Fundación Telmex Telcel Alliance
- Danaids: The Monarch Butterfly (2010)
- Marine Mammals of the Gulf of California (2011)
- The Great White Shark, Ocean Guardian (2017)
- Monarch Migration (2020)
The WWF–Telcel app provides information about three endangered species protected by the alliance: Great White Shark, Monarch Butterfly, and Jaguar.
Book series published by Telmex to promote awareness about the biological diversity of Mexico, the Americas, and the world—its natural richness, importance, the threats it faces, and the possibilities for its long-term conservation.
“Mexican Land: Jungles, Deserts, and Seas”
A synthesis of the geological and biological processes that have shaped the current diversity of Mexico. It is a journey into the past to understand the present, describing natural forces such as volcanism, continental drift, and the power of water, which have molded the landscape and its species. The book briefly summarizes the country’s biological diversity in 7 chapters (Drifting Rocks, The Power of the Seas, Between Land and Sea, Thorns and Sand, The Pulse of the Rains, The Sources of Rivers, and Life upon Life). The illustrations emphasize the natural forces that dominate Mexico’s landscapes.
“Mexican Nature: A Conservation Legacy”
Focuses on nature conservation in Mexico, especially in both government and privately protected natural areas. The four chapters describe the challenges of nature conservation, human population growth, and the destruction of natural vegetation. It also outlines key strategies for conserving wildlife and flora. The illustrations showcase a diverse array of natural areas and their biodiversity.
View in Spanish
“Mexican Fauna: Splendor of Nature”
Details the extraordinary animal life found in Mexico, from conspicuous creatures like the black bear to tiny insects. Mexico’s rich biological history has made it one of the world’s megadiverse countries—among the richest in flora and fauna. This book presents that diversity through engaging, accessible text for a broad audience, accompanied by stunning photographs of a wide range of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine species, as well as the landscapes they inhabit.
View in Spanish
“The Felines of the Americas: Remarkable Hunters”
Describes all felines of the Americas, highlighting their role in maintaining ecological balance, as well as their cultural and scenic value across the continent. The jaguar, for instance, was both feared and revered in pre-Hispanic cultures and remains a prominent symbol in rural areas today. The book also reflects on their conservation.
View in Spanish
“Threatened Animals of the Americas: The Challenge of Survival”
Addresses one of today’s most severe and urgent environmental problems: species extinction—an irreversible issue. “When a species dies, a world ends,” said famed English naturalist William Beebe decades ago. This work marks a milestone on the topic at the continental level. It provides detailed descriptions of numerous endangered species in the Americas. All share several traits: they are beautiful, fascinating, and at risk of disappearing due to human activity.
View in Spanish
“Animals of the Americas: Migrations and Great Gatherings”
Takes readers through the remaining places in the Americas where large animal gatherings and migrations still occur. It vividly describes the remarkable odyssey of animal migrations, from the monarch butterfly to the gray whale, which travel thousands of kilometers to reach hibernation and breeding sites. The book also outlines the challenges and efforts to protect these last vestiges of nature’s former splendor.
View in Spanish
“Mammals of the World: Biogeographic Regions”
A significant volume in the series as it spans the entire planet. Chapter 1 covers the biological diversity of the world’s mammals across 11 biogeographic regions. Chapter 2 summarizes the development of the concept that Earth's flora and fauna are divided into biogeographic regions, reflecting the planet’s evolutionary history. The final chapter discusses the current crossroads we face between environmental destruction and conservation.
View in Spanish
“Natural Areas of Mexico: A Conservation Legacy”
A journey through Mexico’s ecosystems, which range from icy mountains and some of the world’s most arid zones to tropical rainforests and coral reefs—the most biodiverse areas on Earth. It explains the deep relationship between humanity’s origins and evolution with nature. On one hand, we need large portions of Mexico’s and the world’s territory to sustain civilization; on the other, to protect all wild flora and fauna. Their survival ultimately depends on human actions.
View in Spanish
“The Seas of Mexico and the World”
A vivid account of the country's and the world's marvelous seas. The content is presented through historical narratives, such as the discoveries of the Bering Sea and the Gulf of California. Chapter 1, The Blue Planet, summarizes the composition, location, and biodiversity of seas and oceans. Chapter 2, The Seas Through Time, explores major historical discoveries that advanced our understanding of the oceans, including the voyages of Bering and Magellan. The final chapter, Sea Conservation, offers an updated environmental overview, highlighting the grave risks these ecosystems face.
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“Mexico’s Natural Wealth: Environmental Services and Conservation”
A monograph on the country’s biological diversity—Mexico ranks among the top five most diverse countries globally. Section 1, Biological Diversity and Environmental Services, discusses Mexico’s biodiversity and its relationship with ecosystem services. Section 2, Anthropogenic Threats, outlines threats to biodiversity and their negative impact on environmental services. Section 3, Conservation Achievements and Challenges, summarizes efforts to preserve Mexico’s biodiversity.
“Nature Conservation in Mexico: Success Stories”
Presents success stories in the conservation of species and ecosystems in Mexico. It highlights numerous conservation achievements, aiming to demonstrate that conservation and development can go hand in hand. The book summarizes the challenges and achievements in species and ecosystem conservation, describing 29 successful cases including bighorn sheep, jaguar, bison, flamingos, and sea turtles, as well as regions like the Lacandon Jungle in Chiapas and the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir in Baja California.
“Marine Life of Mexico: Treasures from the Deep”
Showcases the wonders of Mexico’s coastal depths, reminding us that oceans are essential for sustaining life on Earth. For this reason, this volume in our editorial series on Nature and Conservation is dedicated to Mexico’s marine biodiversity.
