| Your tax deductible donation will help protect the northernmost tropical rain forest in the Americas, and contribute to environmental awareness worldwide. |
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| DEFENSORES DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE DE LOS TUXTLAS, A. C. ecological activism LOS TUXTLAS |
| Just as countries and people have become more interdependent in our complex, modern world, so are ecosystems interdependent. We cannot ignore one, however small, without having a negative effect on the others - worldwide. |
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of DEMATAC, and I would like to be your guide on a brief trip to a magical place known as "Los Tuxtlas". I would also like your permission to introduce you to our association and it's objectives, and to explain to you how you can support us in the preservation of the environment and the future of this enchanting and unique region. Okay . . . Shall we go? region, located in the southeast of the state of Veracruz, is a succession of mountains of volcanic origin, and represents the northernmost tropical rain forest in the Americas. In this area live and grow: Embraced by nature's beauty and richness, the land of Los Tuxtlas is a place of mountains and rivers, of hidden lagoons and waterfalls, of stone carved Olmec heads, and of witches and spirits; where the calm of the day can be shattered by the fierce majesty of a tropical tempest. It is a region of great economic potential, for it's inhabitants and for Mexico, through tourism and the development of eco-tourism. Los Tuxtlas is a place of great natural beauty, of harmony and tranquility - and it is a region in grave danger. The fragile ecosystem of Los Tuxtlas is in a state of crisis. In recent years the level of deforestation has risen to alarming heights due to the cut and burn method of clearing land for agriculture and livestock, and to indiscriminate strip mining. It is estimated that only 7% to 10% of the original woodlands remain. Rivers and lagoons are contaminated. Lake Catemaco, "the jewel of Los Tuxtlas", is extremely contaminated. Many of the highways, rural roads, and beaches have become virtual garbage dumps. Wildlife is threatened, and some species are in danger of extinction. Environmental laws are ignored and the government fails to enforce them. We cannot continue on this path to ecological disaster. We are harming nature, and as a consequence, harming tourism, local fishing, the health of the area and of the inhabitants. We are damaging the very quality of life in Los Tuxtlas, and severely limiting her future. I reach out to each and every one of you, and I implore you to help me, to help DEMATAC, find viable solutions to prevent the environmental deterioration of this very special, very important region; and to give us your support in our fight against the apathy and bureaucracy that increases and prolongs the problem. Thank you for your kind attention and I look forward to hearing from you. Lic. Jessica Hitandegüi Swanson Santiago To all of you who have helped us, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
If you would like to communicate with us, please see our page: "Contact us" To discover ways to support us, make a donation, become an Affiliate Member or Sponsor, please go to: "Join & Support" DEMATAC. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ACTIVE MEMBERS SERVE VOLUNTARILY & WITHOUT PAY |
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- 3,356 plant species (at least 730 have some use, more than 300 have medicinal properties & close to 200
are used as food) - 26 of the 41 arboreal species endemic to Mexico
- 139 species of mammals (30% of the total found in Mexico)
- 565 species of birds
- 220 species of migratory birds from North America
- 120 species of reptiles
- 46 species of amphibians
- 861 species of butterflies
- 80 species of fresh water fish
- 437 species of salt water fish
- . . . and much more
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