• Ejido Verde is nominated for the third time and obtains the “Los Bóscares 2022” recognition organized and awarded by Reforestamos México, A.C.,.
• Ejido Verde wins the category: Contribution to Forest Restoration.

2022, in the post-pandemic year, Reforestamos México, awarded us the “Los Bóscares” mention in the category: Contribution to Forest Restoration, in recognition of the leadership work in forest restoration that Ejido Verde shows in Mexico and LATAM.

Ejido Verde is a regenerative and sustainable company dedicated to harvesting pine resin through the establishment and use of commercial forest plantations, on private and communal properties, many of them degraded. In and through Ejidos and Indigenous Communities in the state of Michoacán, value is generated for the inhabitants of these places and for the environment.

Ejido Verde is a massive reforestation project that works in alliance with diverse indigenous groups to triple the production of natural pine resin in the country.
The natural pine resin is an essential substance for the elaboration of various products, since its derivatives replace many components that are obtained from petroleum and thus articles such as printer ink, cosmetics, adhesives, varnishes, paints, and drugs, among others; In the medium term, Ejido Verde could become one of the world’s main suppliers of pine resin.

Ejido Verde is a company that applies the “triple impact” methodology, that is, a model based on three dimensions: economic, the social development of its associates and environmental impact.

The “Los Bóscares” Awards are granted to companies that demonstrate the progress and leadership of the private sector in carrying out outstanding projects in favor of forests, other forest ecosystems and the communities that live or develop in them.

“Los Bóscares” was created by Reforestamos México, A.C., to encourage more companies to recognize the importance of forests for sustainable development and their value chains, and for this to translate into more and better projects and initiatives from different approaches: philanthropic, social responsibility, sustainability, regeneration, impact investing and bioeconomy strategies, to the recognition of financial risks associated with forest ecosystems.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Alejandro Rulfo
comunicacion@ejidoverde.com
(443) 777 1482
Marissa Feinberg
marissa@triplebottomwhy.com
917-494-5041
###

As Ejido Verde’s planting season comes to a close and we begin planning to seed new forests next year, we are grateful to see the world waking up to our climate emergency with many important global convenings, from the UN Conference of Parties (COP 27) in Egypt and Climate Week in NYC to the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. While we all need to talk, the climate and mother earth need us to step up dramatically with climate actions.  

At Ejido Verde, we are committed to aligning our actions with our stated goals to build a game-changing, scalable, climate-solving enterprise. We have already exceeded our 2022 goal to purchase 1200 tons of pine resin sustainably harvested from natural forests. In fact, we reached our year-over-year revenue growth of 10x when we acquired 1300 tons of crude natural pine resin in August, and we have also established 200 additional hectares of new forests this year with 92 additional family farms.
 
How can we accelerate nature’s best solutions to address our climate emergency? Read on to learn about our latest innovations and opportunities for your consideration and collaboration.
 
Why the World Hates + Loves “Glyphosate”—aka “Pesticides”—and What We are Doing About It

• The Problem: Pine trees globally are being decimated on a massive scale
• Potential Solution: Explore the protection of our nature without toxic chemicals
• Ejido Verde’s Contribution: Testing pine-based natural, organic agrochemical solutions
• The Impact: A viable alternative to traditional pesticides for cleaner, healthier farming 

Many people know glyphosate as “Roundup,” a pesticide produced by Monsanto (now Bayer), as one of the top chemicals used in natural foods globally to kill weeds. Even the Forestry Stewardship Council approves its use for certified sustainable forestry. While the compound is consistently criticized for its effect on our environment and health, too often, farmers and the agriculture industry lack viable alternatives. At Ejido Verde, when we replace glyphosate use during the first two years of establishing a new forest with manual labor to control weeds, our costs increase by 6x, which is not sustainable.
 
We are literally in the weeds trying to create practical solutions. Among our very own pines may be the answer: developing derivatives made from pine oil. We sat down with Hugh Frith, Sustainable Formulation Group in Australia, and Abel Alonso, T&R Chemicals, testing their pine-resin-based crop protection formula, Bioweed, on our land parcels. 
 
Our first 45 days of testing show this pine-based product can be just as effective as glyphosate! Our next step is to confirm formulas that are cost-competitive. Bioweed is also being tested on other crops, including oranges in Florida and olives in Italy, as we join forces in commercial collaboration to offer the world an organic, cost-effective substitute for glyphosate. We will keep you posted on our advances in this new “Bioweed” alliance to replace glyphosates.
 
A Fabulous Fall Investor Round
We are delighted to close a small and fast investment round with catalytic investors for $556,000, enabling us to make commitments to plant more trees next year and further our work to establish a reliable source of carbon credits. We are quite pleased with our newly adopted alternative term sheet for long-term debt that offers more equitable risk and benefits sharing than more conventional debt terms. Welcome aboard, DL Impact Capital, ImpactAssets, and Broadleaf!
 
Farmer of the Month
Juan Gabriel Correa García is an Ejidatario of the Ejido La Cebadilla y Anexos of the Ario de Rosales Municipality, Michoacán. A man with an easy laugh committed to his trees and lands, he loves what he does and believes if each person in the world planted a pine tree, global warming would not exist. He maintains an ancestral tradition as a lifelong resin tapper as his family has always earned a living from pine resin. Hear his story and follow us on Youtube.
 
WHAT’S ON OUR MIND
 
Implementing Our Climate Risk Mitigation Plan
We just finished working with Sustain LUUM on analyzing our climate vulnerability to create a climate risk mitigation plan. We now have a rapid-response guide to putting out forest fires and preventing pests exacerbated by the climate emergency. We are also learning how to communicate effectively to contribute to building forest community climate resilience, including using a new climate resilience communication strategy.
 
Carbon Credit Ready with Mexico’s Climate Action Reserve
Ejido Verde is registering our first project “instance” for carbon credits through CAR-Mexico (Climate Action Reserve) with 6800 hectares. We designed carbon credits to provide an additional revenue stream to benefit Ejido Verde and affiliated family farms beginning in 2023. We are receiving phenomenal international demand to purchase these charismatic “carbon futures” and anticipate offering more than 5 million carbon credits over the next 20 years. Please share this news with anyone interested in purchasing high-quality credits to remove atmospheric carbon permanently.
 
Marvelous Mushrooms
We continue experimental trials to introduce commercial agricultural crops alongside our pine trees. We are especially excited about our experimental mushroom production centered on shitake and oyster mushroom varieties with consideration for lesser-known wild varieties. If you share our mushroom and mycelium optimism, please reply to learn more.


 

UPCOMING CONFERENCES – LET’S CONNECT
 
Please let us know if you will be at one of these events attended by Ejido Verde. We would love to catch up!

• First International Forestry Congress Nov. 24 – 25 (Guadalajara)
• American Sustainable Business Network Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 (San Diego)
• Latin American Impact Investment Forum (FLII) Feb. 28 – Mar. 2 (Merida)
• International Funders for Indigenous People (IFIP) Feb. 22-24 (Merida)

 
LET’S COLLABORATE
Despite our recent advances, we still have an extraordinary amount of work to do that includes radically expanding climate action—please join us in the following actions if you are inspired:

• Individuals – Send this email to 10 people, including journalists
• Organizations – Buy carbon credits from Ejido Verde or other high-quality sources that create socially inclusive natural capital solutions if you are already reducing your own carbon emissions
• Family Offices and accredited investors – Ask us about co-investing with a group of catalytic investors that have stepped up to join an investment round with Ejido Verde
• Academics – Join us in undertaking and publishing research about our innovative and globally scalable agroforestry business model
• Everyone – Donate to support tree planting to our nonprofit partners: Plant for the Planet and Reforestamos México
• Connectors – Share potential partners, from tech companies to influencers, that might collaborate with us to further innovate even more effective solutions
• Storytellers – Encourage podcast hosts and conferences to have us share our story

Thank you for reading our latest news at Ejido Verde! As always, feel free to reach out with thoughts, ideas, or feedback. Your participation as part of our community is deeply appreciated. I would love to hear your latest news as you celebrate the holiday and have any downtime to reconnect.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Alejandro Rulfo
comunicacion@ejidoverde.com
(443) 777 1482
Marissa Feinberg
marissa@triplebottomwhy.com
917-494-5041
###

The presentation of the book “10 Sustainable Entrepreneurs” by Editorial LID, ITESM and Disruptivo TV took place. Ejido Verde, as a sustainable business model, was part of the review of this book. Sponsored by Tetra-pak, this book brings together the 10 most important sustainable companies in Mexico, including Ejido Verde.

In “10 Sustainable Entrepreneurs” successful entrepreneurial projects are highlighted that inspire the path towards sustainability, where collaboration is the cornerstone of success to protect what is good and generate a positive change in the environment.

Humanity is currently facing a critical situation in terms of the climate emergency. The activity of the human being is leaving such a deep and negative mark on the planet that, if we do not take decisive action, the effects will be irreversible and there will be catastrophic consequences for present and future generations.

Business activity that does not build in harmony with the environment is what has led to real dangers such as climate change, desertification, water stress and the degradation of ecosystems, and although it is difficult to measure the problem, it is important to try to understand.
Mónica Marcela Caballero Vázquez, ITESM editor, was the author of the segment dedicated to Ejido Verde, coordinated by Juan Del Cerro, from Disruptivo TV.

Ejido Verde’s reforestation business model

Ejido Verde obtains raw pine resin from plantations on degraded or abandoned agricultural land, managed by ejidos, Indigenous Communities and small properties, predominantly in the Altiplano Purépecha. Pine resin is extracted from pine trees, 10 years after planting, for subsequent processing and transformation into resin derivatives.

The core of the innovative model of Ejido Verde is the highly integrated supply chain that adapts the technological advances achieved worldwide, to increase pine resin yields 10 times per hectare, compared to traditional Mexican harvesting in natural forests, as well such as the creation of financial and technological packages adapted to the social, cultural and social needs of Mexico, in particular of the land tenure regimes, in Michoacán.

The collection of resin produced by native pines through “harvesting” is harmless to the tree and creates income and employment opportunities in ejidos, Indigenous Communities and small Owners, which increase the value of their land and help reduce migration. Because the resin is sourced from community-owned land, this model does not require the capital-intensive and politically risky approach of large-scale land acquisition that is common in forestry.

Harvesting pine resin creates long-term value for the trees, reducing incentives to cut down pine for its lumber. Pine plantations remove carbon dioxide, improve soil quality and provide benefits to watersheds.

Plantations are often adjacent to natural forests, resulting in biological corridors that enhance wildlife habitat protection, watershed conservation, local productivity, income generation, as well as climate mitigation and adaptation. Ejido Verde has demonstrated its ability to build effective governance in an extremely complex environment while providing multiple environmental benefits. To this end, Ejido Verde collaborates with government programs, the private sector, foundations and civil society organizations to create and operate a strategy that aims to improve the conservation of biodiversity and support the generation of prosperity for more than 6,000 families in communities rural and indigenous.

Currently, we use native pine species with high resin yield, endemic to Mexico and Mesoamerica (Pinus oocarpa, P. pringeli, P. leiophylla, P. teocote, P. pseostrobus, P. lawsonii). In our current model, we plant 1,100 native trees per hectare with a desired final density of 800 trees per hectare.

Ejido Verde provides financing, technical assistance and technology for a period of ten years until the trees produce resin and income. Owners are required to provide land and labor. Approximately 70% of the funds pay local people to establish and maintain plantations with technical assistance provided by Ejido Verde. Trees planted today require 10 years of growth before producing resin and income. The ejidatarios, community members and landowners reimburse the investment made with 10% -15% of resin extracted from planted trees, between the years 11 and 20 of the plantation. Ejido Verde also signs agreements to buy all the resin produced at a fair market price.

“10 Emprendedores Sustentables” by Editorial LID, ITESM and Disruptivo TV, a document to which Ejido Verde is proud to belong.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Alejandro Rulfo
comunicacion@ejidoverde.com
(443) 777 1482
Marissa Feinberg
marissa@triplebottomwhy.com
917-494-5041
###

The presentation of the book “10 Sustainable Entrepreneurs” by Editorial LID, ITESM and Disruptivo TV took place. Ejido Verde, as a sustainable business model, was part of the review of this book. Sponsored by Tetra-pak, this book brings together the 10 most important sustainable companies in Mexico, including Ejido Verde.

In “10 Sustainable Entrepreneurs” successful entrepreneurial projects are highlighted that inspire the path towards sustainability, where collaboration is the cornerstone of success to protect what is good and generate a positive change in the environment.

Humanity is currently facing a critical situation in terms of the climate emergency. The activity of the human being is leaving such a deep and negative mark on the planet that, if we do not take decisive action, the effects will be irreversible and there will be catastrophic consequences for present and future generations.

Business activity that does not build in harmony with the environment is what has led to real dangers such as climate change, desertification, water stress and the degradation of ecosystems, and although it is difficult to measure the problem, it is important to try to understand.
Mónica Marcela Caballero Vázquez, ITESM editor, was the author of the segment dedicated to Ejido Verde, coordinated by Juan Del Cerro, from Disruptivo TV.

Ejido Verde’s reforestation business model

Ejido Verde obtains raw pine resin from plantations on degraded or abandoned agricultural land, managed by ejidos, Indigenous Communities and small properties, predominantly in the Altiplano Purépecha. Pine resin is extracted from pine trees, 10 years after planting, for subsequent processing and transformation into resin derivatives.

The core of the innovative model of Ejido Verde is the highly integrated supply chain that adapts the technological advances achieved worldwide, to increase pine resin yields 10 times per hectare, compared to traditional Mexican harvesting in natural forests, as well such as the creation of financial and technological packages adapted to the social, cultural and social needs of Mexico, in particular of the land tenure regimes, in Michoacán.

The collection of resin produced by native pines through “harvesting” is harmless to the tree and creates income and employment opportunities in ejidos, Indigenous Communities and small Owners, which increase the value of their land and help reduce migration. Because the resin is sourced from community-owned land, this model does not require the capital-intensive and politically risky approach of large-scale land acquisition that is common in forestry.

Harvesting pine resin creates long-term value for the trees, reducing incentives to cut down pine for its lumber. Pine plantations remove carbon dioxide, improve soil quality and provide benefits to watersheds.

Plantations are often adjacent to natural forests, resulting in biological corridors that enhance wildlife habitat protection, watershed conservation, local productivity, income generation, as well as climate mitigation and adaptation. Ejido Verde has demonstrated its ability to build effective governance in an extremely complex environment while providing multiple environmental benefits. To this end, Ejido Verde collaborates with government programs, the private sector, foundations and civil society organizations to create and operate a strategy that aims to improve the conservation of biodiversity and support the generation of prosperity for more than 6,000 families in communities rural and indigenous.

Currently, we use native pine species with high resin yield, endemic to Mexico and Mesoamerica (Pinus oocarpa, P. pringeli, P. leiophylla, P. teocote, P. pseostrobus, P. lawsonii). In our current model, we plant 1,100 native trees per hectare with a desired final density of 800 trees per hectare.

Ejido Verde provides financing, technical assistance and technology for a period of ten years until the trees produce resin and income. Owners are required to provide land and labor. Approximately 70% of the funds pay local people to establish and maintain plantations with technical assistance provided by Ejido Verde. Trees planted today require 10 years of growth before producing resin and income. The ejidatarios, community members and landowners reimburse the investment made with 10% -15% of resin extracted from planted trees, between the years 11 and 20 of the plantation. Ejido Verde also signs agreements to buy all the resin produced at a fair market price.

“10 Emprendedores Sustentables” by Editorial LID, ITESM and Disruptivo TV, a document to which Ejido Verde is proud to belong.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Alejandro Rulfo
comunicacion@ejidoverde.com
(443) 777 1482
Marissa Feinberg
marissa@triplebottomwhy.com
917-494-5041
###

MORELIA, MICHOACAN – July 13, 2022 – Every year, B Lab, the nonprofit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet, recognizes top-performing B Corps creating great impact through their businesses. These B Corps are named “Best for the World” as their verified scores in the five impact areas evaluated on the B Impact Assessment community, customers, environment, governance, and workers-are amongst the global top 5% in their corresponding size group. 

“At this critical time in our climate crisis, we are grateful to have been recognized again as Best for the World,” said Shaun Paul, CEO of Ejido Verde. “We are proud to be among our peers, each sharing an incredible example of how business can earn a profit, benefit its communities, and take climate action. We must all be part of the solution, so I encourage interested business leaders to contact me to learn more about regenerative business.”

Ejido Verde is a regenerative pine-resin company positioned to become a lead supplier in the $10-billion global pine chemicals industry in partnership with rural and Indigenous Mexican communities and an array of Mexican and international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN). Relevant milestones announced this year by Ejido Verde include:

• Ejido Verde is planting 16,000 trees daily, adding 300 more hectares to its commercial agroforestry plantations under management, together with 800 family farms.
• In 2021, Ejido Verde generated 1,307 jobs in communities and offices (1,209 part-time jobs, 98 full-time equivalent jobs, which included 33 women, and 1,180 hours of formal training for rural and Indigenous communities in Michoacán). 
• Ejido Verde has planted 9 million trees on degraded land and manages 4,577 hectares of commercial agroforestry plantations reforested with native pines. 
• From its work, 86,941 tons of carbon were removed from the atmosphere in 2021 alone, and the organization expects to capture more than 2.2 million tons by 2040.

Ejido Verde has received additional recognition, on Fast Company’s 2020 List of the most innovative companies in the world and Cleantech Group’s 50 for climate solutions, as a Mexican “Los Boscares” nominee for landscape restoration, by Trillion Trees of the World Economic Forum for innovation in reforestation of Indigenous communities, and from the Initiative20x20.org Project Award in Latin America restoration.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Alejandro Rulfo
comunicacion@ejidoverde.com
(443) 777 1482 
Marissa Feinberg
marissa@triplebottomwhy.com
917-494-5041
###

• More than 500,000 tree seedlings will be planted to help restore Indigenous landscapes.
• More than 300 additional hectares will be added to our 4,577 hectares under Ejido Verde’s environmental, forestry, and administrative management in Michoacán.

The 2022 planting season has begun in Ejido Verde!

In 2022, we incorporated new areas, such as commercial forestry plantations, into Indigenous Communities, ejidos, and small private properties. This season, we will plant more than 500,000 native pine species, creating employment and well-being in the areas where we operate.

Mexico is the fifth producer of pine resin worldwide, and Michoacán is the state contributing 90% of Mexico’s pine resin. Ejido Verde now has formal agreements with landowners to plant 750 additional hectares in 2022 and 2023, which will be added to the 4,577 hectares that we currently manage with landowners and landholders to ensure the highest caliber environmental, forestry and administrative management.

Ejido Verde, in alliance with rural and Indigenous forest communities, is a company dedicated to the sustainable production of pine resin with the aim of generating prosperity through the establishment and use of commercial forest plantations in the State of Michoacán.

The innovative reforestation model developed by Ejido Verde, together with its community partners, seeks to maximize resin production while restoring degraded lands. The forest management practices used by Ejido Verde guarantee that trees planted maximize resin production. Ejido Verde works in partnership with rural and Indigenous communities to integrate native species from each region.

After China, Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam, for 10 years, Mexico has stood out as the world’s fifth-largest producer of crude pine resin, with an average production of 24,000 tons per year. By 2030, Ejido Verde plans to triple this production volume in the Mexican market, propelling Mexico to occupy a place among the top three exporters in the pine resin processing industry.

We are grateful to share this update regarding Ejido Verde’s growth with you. As planting season progresses in Mexico and our community, we send warm wishes to you and yours.