​Our Amazing Rotary Watershed Education Program

by Robin Loving

The most pressing ecological needs in our area evolve around water scarcity and contamination, deforestation, and waste management. These issues are interconnected and exacerbated by factors like agricultural practices, urban development, and climate change. 

Enter our Rotary Club with its first eco program helping solve these problems in a sustainable way. Member Evelyn Grewal took over our Watershed Education Program after two other members had to pass the baton due to life events like a job change. Under her leadership, we have an outstanding program that is being submitted for a Rotary Global Grant because its results have garnered support from other Rotaries.

Why we are undertaking an environmental project is not surprising, but the possibility of funding for it has grown as various leaders have identified the needs, the solutions, and the results of implementing those solutions. In short, this is a vibrant program that will have long-lasting, dramatically positive results for our region. Why? Because it will be carried on by our youth.

Working with our indispensable partner, Salvemos el Rio Laja (Save the Rio Laja), and our champion there, Jalil Aragon Martinez, who has created an education nonprofit to assist with this -- the project includes hands-on solutions implemented by teachers in 21 elementary, secondary and preparatoria schools as well as two universities, and various community members.

Together, they are learning about nature-based solutions such as composting, soil creation, and natural fertilizers. Along the way they are using rain water capture, erosion mitigation, and greenhouses to improve the lives in various communities.
Those include San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo, San Felipe, San Franco and San Luis de la Paz.

Thanks to our partners including our Rotary District 4140, clubs in California and local partners such as the Audubon Society, we have attracted around $84,000 USD for this impactful project that could be matched by a Rotary Global Grant! Heartiest thanks to California’s clubs, San Diego and the Nevada City 49rs. called the 49ers, which are sending delegates here for a site visit October 17. Please help us welcome them!

They, like Salvemos, Jalil’s organization, and Rotary, realize that we need an holistic approach to address problems and create sustainable solutions via citizen engagement – especially in our youth! Integrative education: connecting knowledge and experiences across various disciplines and contexts to create solutions!

But they can’t do it alone! If you are interested in furthering this effort which will sustain our precious region “for all concerned,” please complete the request below.

​Children planting the seeds of the future​Children planting the seeds of the future

​Rotarian Project Leader Evelyn Grewel, President Andrea Spessard, members of Project Partner Salvemos al Rio Laja, children, and Past-President Lee Carter share a vision of a more ecologically sustainable future for San Miguel.