The first weekend of September marked the end of the summer courses and the start of a new initiative aimed at improving relations with the communities surrounding GPG México’s facilities, focused on working with young people.
In collaboration with local management teams, various activities were planned to strengthen young people’s skills while engaging them in existing projects and encouraging them to create new projects in response to needs identified in their communities. The
aim is to promote shared values with the company through these activities and to work towards a common future that offers increased employment, economic prosperity, social well-being and cultural opportunities, all in harmony with the natural environment.
Exploring the Naco Nogales combined cycle plant and the greenhouse with volunteers
After concluding the exciting weeks of the summer course in Agua Prieta, near the Naco Nogales combined cycle power plant, the team will now focus on getting young people involved in projects that benefit the community and the environment around the power plant.
To start off, Ulises Francisco Romero Alvarado and Araceli Esquivel Campos, delivered an in-depth technical presentation on the functioning of a Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCC), The presentation was further enriched by providing the youngsters with the oppportunity to observe through microscopes and to actively participate in laboratory experiments. These activities were designed with the intention of encouraging our volunteers to think about career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.
Participants then took part in a workshop in the facility’s greenhouse led by intern Dalia Lugo from the Universidad de la Sierra, a university which we have worked closely with for several years. In this workshop, the young people explored how a greenhouse works and learned about the ecological balance of trees. This helped them to develop a deeper respect for nature and to understand the importance of reforestation with species native or endemic to the region.
The visit ended with a reflection on the themes learnt during the experience and a reminder of the importance of working together to raise awareness amongst other young people and the wider community through the co-creation of content and projects that bring shared benefits.
Blue crab conservation workshop and tagging exercise in Playa Vicente, near Tuxpan CCC III and IV.
The social management team, along with Dr. Ascensión Capistran Barradas, an academic at Universidad Veracruzana and member of the Campamento Tortuguero Advisory Board, organised a special event to monitor blue crabs. Under the light of the full moon, Dr Capistran prepared and trained our volunteers in the care and handling of this unique species, which is characterised by its habit of spawning on the nights with a full moon in July, August and September.
A prominent feature of this species is its diverse colour spectrum, which includes shades of grey, brown and blue that gain vibrancy as they age and mature. Unfortunately, blue crab populations are declining both locally and globally, largely due to overexploitation and alteration of their natural habitats.
Dr Ascensión Capistran Barradas’ research is important to gather the necessary data to grant the blue crab a protective status and establish stricter measures for its conservation.
The Nakú Kayám volunteers not only understood the significance of safeguarding the blue crab, but also learned proper handling techniques for the monitored specimens. This helped raise awareness and ensure the preservation of the Villamar beach as a crucial habitat for the species inhabiting it.
Continuation of the work with the children and Xquendas in Nacanu’Bií
After completing the summer course and celebrating the first anniversary of the Nacanu’Bií Community Centre (We are Wind in Zapotec), the Xquendas (“the soul”) have come together again to engage wholeheartedly in various cultural, ecological and sports projects in which they actively participate.
An upcoming event on their agenda involves organising a community bazaar, aimed at gathering plants for reforestation efforts in the Santa Martha field located in Section 7. Also, the Ecoblas collective has been asked to give an informative talk about collecting PET waste in order to encourage proper waste management in nearby neighbourhoods
Some young people have joined the group JuchiHuini (“Children or Youth of Juchitán” in modernised Zapotec) in collaboration with the Community Relations Team. The group has performed in various public venues with several objectives: to publicise the project, to encourage more children and young people to participate, to promote the rich musical traditions of the isthmian region, and to provide the children with valuable experiences and instil discipline and confidence for future events.
The workshops highlighting the significance of trees for the ecosystem have restarted at the 5 de septiembre school, along with other institutions in Section 7 and Playa Vicente. Additionally, the road safety campaign has been resumed.
American aloe: A cultural treasure flourishing at the Norte Durango combined cycle plant
This summer, the CCC North Durango team carried out various reforestation activities in the communities near the facilities. In total, four reforestation projects were carried out in the communities of Carlos Real, Abraham González and 27 de Noviembre. In addition, the focus this week was on the plant itself. 80 specimens of Agave Americanam (American Aloe, or Maguey) were planted, a species that has great economic and cultural importance across Mexico.
As part of an ongoing initiative, the facility’s greenhouse cultivates these aloes, among other species.
For several years, the combined cycle plant has upheld a cooperation agreement with the Technological Institutes of the Guadiana Valley and Durango, which is coordinated by our colleague David Najera.
