20 Years Transforming Lives: EPI’s Journey in Mexico
- Luis Diego Molina
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
“Many of my students come from difficult environments, with few opportunities. A few years ago, one of them was falling into drugs. When I invited him to the field with EPI, many told me I was crazy, but I insisted. The experience impacted him so deeply that he completely distanced himself from that world. Today he’s an agricultural engineer, has a family, and is the pride of his neighborhood.”
This is how José Juan Fuentes, a teacher at Cobach (High School) 3 in La Paz, Baja California Sur, remembers it. He was one of the first teachers to join Ecology Project International (EPI) when the organization first arrived in Mexico two decades ago. His student’s story is just one of thousands that reflect what happens when education steps outside the classroom and meets the natural world.
Two Decades of Learning and Connection
In 2005, EPI Mexico began its adventure in La Paz, Baja California Sur, with the first Coastal Ecosystems Ecology course on Espíritu Santo Island. Shortly after, the newly inaugurated campus began welcoming middle and high school students to learn about whales, sea turtles, whale sharks, desert ecosystems, and more.
Over the years, programs and partnerships with universities, schools, and communities multiplied. Initiatives such as the Teacher Institute (an immersive experiential camp for educators at various levels), EcoRallies (educational activities for elementary schools hosted at EPI’s campus), and projects in rural and fishing communities were born.
In 2011, a group of alumni created the Eco Club Californios Verdes, a space where local youth continue promoting conservation, citizen science, and environmental leadership.
As time went on, EPI Mexico expanded its reach. Between 2020 and 2022, it implemented the Biodiversity and Community Health program in collaboration with the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and the German development cooperation, benefiting more than 40,000 students across the country. More recently, the team has been advancing the project “Knowledge from the Territory,” a commitment to living education connected with the local ecosystems of Baja California Sur.
To date, EPI Mexico has reached more than 64,000 participants.
“All these 20 years that EPI has been here in Mexico, it has contributed so much to the youth of our community, because now they know more about the importance of our ecosystems—both marine and terrestrial. We have such abundance in ecosystems and biodiversity, and this helps them develop their skills and learn about the paths they want to follow,” says Eva Rentería, EPI alumna and Eco Club leader.
Voices That Made History
“In EPI I learned that science is not only studied—it is lived and shared with the community, and that a classroom doesn’t need four walls. All the learning is out there.”— Araceli Angulo, EPI alumna
“I believe that throughout these 20 years, so many wonderful and talented people who have passed through EPI have created this safe space for young people. Beyond all the conservation and all the science—which we have also done—it has more to do with all the stories we’ve been able to accompany over these 20 years.”— Marlu Robledo, Program Manager, EPI Mexico
“I believe that over these 20 years, EPI has created a safe space for young people to learn, to weave networks, and to share with others. EPI Mexico, congratulations on your 20 years. It has been incredible to share even a small piece of that history with you, and I hope many more successes and collaborations come.” — Alejandra Alvarado, alumna and former leader of Californios Verdes
“EPI provides, first and foremost, the opportunity for local youth to access knowledge about their surroundings—to respect everything around us and to become aware of our actions.” — Marina Quiñonez, high school teacher
20 Years of Community, Science, and Hope
For those who have been part of this journey, 20 years represent much more than programs or numbers. They are years of cultivating curiosity, inspiring vocations, and supporting human development.
“It’s not about there being no storms, but about having the ability to get through those storms—and even enjoy the journey,” says Marlu, EPI Mexico’s manager.
Today, EPI Mexico celebrates its path and everyone who has believed in a living, nature-connected education.
Join the Celebration!
This November 28, we invite you to celebrate with us the 20th anniversary of EPI Mexico at the La Paz campus. We’ll share stories, memories, and dreams for the next twenty years.
