Activist Revives Ancient Chinampa Farms to Save Mexico City's Wetlands
The ancient chinampa system of Xochimilco, once a vital source of food for Mexico City's population, now faces threats from urbanization, poor water quality, and invasive species. Cassandra Garduño, a passionate environmentalist, has returned to her homeland to revive these floating farms and protect the wetlands.
Cassandra, driven by a desire to leave a positive impact for future generations, bought land and began cleaning, restoring, and planting to revive the chinampas. These small, rectangular plots of fertile land, built on shallow lake beds, were created by layering mud, sediment, and vegetation in pre-Hispanic times. Today, they remain one of the world's most sustainable and productive agricultural systems.
Working alongside researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Cassandra is not only cleaning the polluted waters but also protecting the axolotl, an endangered species native to these wetlands. Her mission extends beyond farming; she is reconnecting people with their land, water, and each other through traditional knowledge and sustainable practices.
Cassandra's efforts are part of a broader movement to preserve the chinampa system and protect the Xochimilco wetlands. Other notable activists include Juan Manuel Martínez Lázaro and Fernando Gómez Cavazos, who are also dedicated to restoring the chinampas, improving water quality, and safeguarding the axolotl. Their collaborative work is crucial for the survival of this unique ecosystem and the traditional knowledge it embodies.
