How BIOFIN is empowering local communities to monitor biodiversity and protect ecosystems

In the heart of Quintana Roo’s José María Morelos municipality in Mexico, the ejido of Dziuché is contributing to the protection of its rich biodiversity, with support from UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN). The local community forest brigade is learning how to monitor wildlife and protect ecosystems.

Empowering local conservation efforts

In March 2025, BIOFIN trained a brigade in Dziuché on how to conduct biodiversity monitoring. Community members learned how to use tools such as camera traps, mist nets, Sherman traps, and footprint molds - methods that allow for the safe and effective sampling of wildlife.

During the training, brigade members recorded 58 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including emblematic species such as the puma (Puma concolor) and the great curassow (Crax rubra). These findings not only reveal the richness of the local ecosystem but also provide essential data for conservation planning and informed decision-making.

“Knowing our biodiversity strengthens our community identity and highlights the environmental, economic, and cultural value of the ejido,” shared the Community Forest Brigade of Dziuché.

By documenting local biodiversity, the community gains more than just scientific insight. They acquire the tools to evaluate forest health, detect endangered species, and understand the ecosystem services that sustain their livelihoods - from clean water and fertile soil to pollination and climate resilience.

Linking conservation with finance

Beyond ecological benefits, the data collected opens doors to innovative financing such as biodiversity credits or ecosystem service payments, which can help communities like Dziuché maintain their forests while improving quality of life.

The data collected through community-led biodiversity monitoring lays the foundation for developing biodiversity credits - an innovative finance mechanism that quantifies conservation outcomes and enables communities to generate income by offering these credits to buyers committed to sustainability. This model not only creates new revenue streams for conservation but also empowers local stakeholders to lead in the sustainable management of natural resources. Dziuché’s efforts to monitor and document biodiversity represent a critical first step toward laying the foundation for such finance solutions.

Scaling impact through national dialogue

In parallel with local initiatives, BIOFIN Mexico has launched a nationwide conversation on financial innovation through its 2025 webinar series, “Nature Markets and Biodiversity Credits.” This knowledge-sharing platform brings together public institutions, private investors, civil society, academia, and Indigenous and local leaders to explore the intersection of finance and nature.

The series introduced participants to market-based conservation tools such as environmental compensation schemes, habitat banks and biodiversity credit markets. Each session featured case studies, practical guidance, and expert discussions aimed at bridging community-led conservation efforts with national policies and financial systems.

Stakeholders from across sectors have been engaging in dialogue around the potential and challenges of biodiversity-related finance. “These conversations are essential to bridge the gap between local conservation efforts and national financial innovation,” shared the BIOFIN Mexico team. “Hearing directly from community leaders, investors, and policymakers helps ensure that emerging mechanisms like biodiversity credits are designed to reflect real needs and deliver real impact.”

Toward a shared future for nature and people

As climate and biodiversity challenges intensify, financing nature-based solutions is no longer optional. BIOFIN Mexico’s work with communities like Dziuché illustrates how local action, grounded in traditional knowledge and supported by modern tools, can feed into broader systems of sustainable finance.

“The power to protect the planet lies in the hands of those who live in and care for these territories,” notes Alonso Martínez, Environmental Finance Analyst for the Latin America and the Caribbean region. “That is why we are committed to advancing financial solutions for nature that reflect the voices, leadership, and aspirations of local communities.”

From forest trails to financial markets, the path to a more resilient and biodiverse future is being charted - one community at a time.