- A total of 220 native cactus plants were planted in the project’s conservation area, which extends for more than one kilometer between the bay and the site of the future plant. The activity formed part of a collaboration agreement with the federal Sembrando Vida program in the municipality of Ahome.
- The activity took place in coordination with the Farming Learning Community and the community of Ejido Tortugas Número 2.
LOS MOCHIS, Mexico–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Ahome–This initiative of planting 220 native cactus plants involved a year of work, including collecting cuttings from local scrubland plants, rooting and caring for them in a nursery, preparing them for removal, and transporting them for planting in Pacifico Mexinol’s conservation area.
All 22 growers who make up this Farming Learning Community (CAC), including five women and 17 men, participated alongside Pacifico Mexinol’s local staff during a day of planting.
The initiative benefited both parties. Pacifico Mexinol improved its conservation area, while the growers completed their first plant supply order. This experience represents a success for the group and provides motivation to continue working collectively.
Lucero Gastelum, Pacifico Mexinol’s Community and Gender Manager, commented: “The reforestation we promote in the region goes beyond planting cacti: it is a commitment to local identity, natural resources, and community well-being. Cacti native to the sarcocaulescent scrubland, such as Stenocereus thurberi, Cylindropuntia thurberi, Cylindropuntia fulgida, Mammillaria mazatlanensis, and Stenocereus alamosensis, represent our cultural and ecological wealth, while also providing valuable food and ornamental resources. By working alongside local growers, we recognize their knowledge as essential to successful reforestation while strengthening their families’ economic well-being. This effort reflects our conviction that sustainability and community development must advance together.”
According to the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the government agency that established National Cactus Day, and based on information from Dr. Cecilia L. Jiménez, Mexico has the world’s greatest concentration of cacti. Specialists recognize 913 taxa, encompassing species and varieties.
Pacifico Mexinol recognizes that wetland conservation protects the region’s biodiversity and ecosystem services, strengthens resilience to climate change, and creates economic opportunities for local ejidos.
Pacifico Mexinol’s environmental and social impact assessments confirmed that the Project avoids impacts on sensitive ecosystems, including mangroves and sarcocaulescent scrubland. This is documented in the Environmental Impact Assessment (MIA), approved by SEMARNAT in November 2023, and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), prepared in accordance with international standards and approved by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2025.
Although the Project does not affect sensitive ecosystems, the MIA recommends reforesting 7.15 hectares with scrubland species and cacti, as well as restoring six hectares of mangroves. As part of its commitment to demonstrating that clean, responsible industrial development can go hand in hand with conservation, Pacifico Mexinol developed a strategy to meet the most demanding international biodiversity standard: Biodiversity Net Gain. This involves creating or improving habitats of equal or greater value than those affected. To this end, the Project signed a collaboration agreement with the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) to implement a Payment for Environmental Services (PSA) scheme that will benefit and protect 600 hectares of wetlands and mangroves in Ejido Plan de Guadalupe, an area almost 100 times larger than that required by the MIA.
The Project also committed to establishing a 15-hectare Conservation Area that will serve as a buffer between the Project and Ohuira Bay. This area will retain its natural vegetation and will not undergo urban development or a change in land use. It will conserve and protect sarcocaulescent scrubland and may also support efforts to increase populations of other vulnerable species, such as guayacán, also known as the holywood tree (Guaiacum coulteri).
Strategic Impact and Sustainable Development
This commitment to Biodiversity Net Gain complements the environmental initiatives Pacifico Mexinol has promoted in the region. These include an innovative municipal wastewater treatment and reuse system that avoids using natural water sources and any impacts on Ohuira Bay, as well as community investment programs that directly benefit residents of the municipality of Ahome.
Protecting Sinaloa’s wetlands is a fundamental part of Mexinol’s strategy to promote well-being. This strategy includes creating more than 6,000 jobs during construction and at least 450 permanent jobs during operations, alongside long-term environmental and social programs that benefit both ecosystems and local communities.
About Transition Industries
Transition Industries LLC, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a global developer of ultra-low-carbon methanol and hydrogen projects in North America, focused on addressing climate change and advancing environmental and social sustainability. For more information about Pacifico Mexinol or Transition Industries, please contact inquiries@transitionind.com.
Contacts
Karin Nunan
Global Director of Corporate Affairs
knunan@transitionind.com
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