Querétaro’s government has added La Beata Natural Park to its roster of protected natural areas, covering 100 hectares in Amealco de Bonfil and bringing the state closer to its goal of 40% territory under conservation by 2027.
Querétaro is taking a significant step toward its environmental targets with the recent designation of La Beata Natural Park as a protected natural area. Under a decree published in the state’s official newspaper on May 5, the 100-hectare site in Amealco de Bonfil—bordering Huimilpan and the state of Michoacán—has been classified in the Private or Community Natural Zone category, a voluntary conservation model that allows landowners to contribute their property to preservation efforts.
According to Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero, Secretary of Sustainable Development (Sedesu), Querétaro currently safeguards 38 percent of its territory under various protected natural area mechanisms. “Our administration is committed to raising that figure to 40 percent by the end of our term in 2027,” Del Prete said, highlighting the strategic importance of voluntary land-use agreements to meet the state’s ambitious environmental objectives.
La Beata joins 17 other areas already under protection, marking the 18th site to receive official conservation status in Querétaro this term. Owned by the Gonzalo Vega Savings Bank (CGV), the park’s inclusion represents both public and private sector cooperation in preserving critical habitats. “This area is added to the nearly 38 percent of the territory currently designated as a protected natural area,” Del Prete explained, “and it is a state-owned protected natural area that is voluntary, proposed by its owners.”
The Private or Community Natural Zone classification is specifically tailored for properties where owners wish to support conservation without relinquishing ownership. Participants agree to maintain the ecological integrity of their land in perpetuity, ensuring protection for native flora and fauna while retaining rights for sustainable, low-impact uses such as eco-tourism or environmental education.
Ecologists note that La Beata’s terrain features a mix of pine–oak forests and seasonal wetlands, habitat for several endemic species of birds, amphibians, and mammals. Its strategic location creates an ecological corridor connecting two existing protected zones, enhancing biodiversity resilience and facilitating wildlife movement in response to climate variability. Conservation specialists applaud Querétaro’s policy of leveraging private land to bolster landscape-scale connectivity.
Beyond ecological gains, the declaration of La Beata is expected to stimulate local economies by promoting responsibly managed tourism and research initiatives. Amealco de Bonfil’s mayor praised the move, emphasizing plans to develop guided nature trails and community-led workshops on traditional agroforestry practices. Local families stand to benefit from employment opportunities in park management, visitor services, and conservation monitoring.
The state government’s progress reflects a broader national push: Mexico has committed under the Convention on Biological Diversity to protect 30 percent of its terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. Querétaro’s 40 percent target by 2027 positions it as a leader among Mexican states in conservation ambition, potentially serving as a model for other regions balancing development and environmental stewardship.
However, challenges remain. Del Prete acknowledged ongoing threats from illegal logging, unregulated quarrying, and agricultural encroachment in outlying rural areas. To address these pressures, Sedesu plans to strengthen enforcement, streamline land-use permitting, and expand incentives for private land conservation. Stakeholders are also exploring expanded community outreach, aiming to integrate indigenous and local knowledge into long-term management plans.
Looking forward, Querétaro officials have identified several candidate areas for future designation, including riparian corridors along the Moctezuma River and cloud-forest patches in the Sierra Gorda region. “Our roadmap includes targeted studies to assess ecological value and landowner willingness,” Del Prete said. “We intend to present at least two new proposals each year until we surpass our 40 percent goal.”
As La Beata Natural Park opens its trails to scientific study and low-impact tourism, the people of Querétaro watch closely to see whether voluntary conservation can deliver both ecological preservation and sustainable economic benefits. If successful, the initiative will not only secure vital habitats but also demonstrate how public and private interests can align to protect Mexico’s natural heritage.