Urandén Springs: Environmental Restoration and Sustainable Community Tourism - Michacán de Ocampo

Environmental Sustainability

The project “Urandén Springs: Environmental Restoration and Sustainable Community Tourism” has been active from 2023 to 2025 in the state of Michoacán, in the community of Urandén de Morelos, municipality of Pátzcuaro, with an environmental focus.

The model integrates environmental conservation, environmental education, job creation, community inclusion, and the strengthening of cultural identity through traditions such as the “Day of the Dead.” Its objective is to restore the springs that feed the lake through ecological restoration and community participation. Low-impact activities are promoted, such as interpretive trails and traditional canoe tours guided by trained local residents; part of the revenue is allocated to the maintenance of trails, signage, and urban image.

Key actions also include sanitation brigades and temporary employment programs, deep cleaning, reforestation, removal of water hyacinth, installation of environmental signage, and the development of responsible tourism through canoe trips to the springs.

Main impacts and results of this initiative:

• Removal of more than 18,000 m³ of water hyacinth and solid waste.

• Reforestation with more than 50,000 native trees.

• Release of more than 500,000 whitefish fingerlings.

• Ongoing monitoring of water quality and control of invasive species.

• Reactivation of community-operated boat tours.

• Strengthening of the Day of the Dead festivities, with more than 7,000 visitors and an economic impact of $1,000,000 MXN.

• Organization of the National Canoeing Regatta 2025.

• Generation of temporary jobs and economic benefits for the community.

• Reinvestment of tourism revenue in infrastructure and urban image.

• Restoration and cleaning of more than 130 hectares of Lake Pátzcuaro and surrounding lacustrine areas.