Community Water Monitoring Network
The Community Water Monitoring Network in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve began its activities in 2011. It is composed of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve’s Directorship (MBBRD), Alternare A.C., Biocenosis A.C., Autonomous Space A.C., Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature A.C. (FMCN), Monarch Fund and the Center for Research in Environmental Geography (CIGA) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
The Community Water Monitoring Network carries out its activities in the Lerma-Toluca and Cutzamala watersheds, which make up the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.
Community Water Monitoring Network’s Objectives
- Support local communities, civil organizations, and government institutions to gather key information regarding the status of water bodies.
- Protect watersheds in the region.
- Strengthen capacities and positively empower groups to influence policies and institutions responsible for water management.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of conservation instruments such as the payment for hydrological environmental services (PSAH), the Monarch Fund and the Concurrent Funds of the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR)
Good management of the watershed in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.
Community Water Monitoring Network’s Activities
- Share and socialize the strategy with the main actors of the micro-watersheds that need to be worked on in the region, especially with the owners of forested lands.
- Train and certify community groups in water monitoring following Global Water Watch’s (GWW) protocols.
- Validate the results of field monitoring through specialized laboratory analysis.
- Establish a regional database with information on the water quality of each of the monitored localities to inform management decision-making in the protected natural area.
- Analyze and interpret the water quality data obtained, to identify sources of deterioration and contamination of water bodies and plan strategies/actions to improve their health and quality.
- Develop and apply information input instruments to learn about the perception of water users regarding the resource (uses and customs, management, cosmogony, etc.).
- Systematize, share, and disseminate the experiences and lessons learned with key actors through an approach and tools that motivate their involvement and active participation in the process.
- Broker human and economic resources that contribute to the strengthening of the Community Water Monitoring Network.
Community Water Monitoring Network’s Members
Alternare
Biocenosis
CIGA
Espacio Autónomo
FMCN
Fondo Monarca
Global Water Watch
Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca
Fondo de Conservación del Eje Neovolcánico
