Safeguarding the Wixárika Route

Protecting the Wixárika Route: From Recognition to Stewardship

The Wixárika Route—recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is not just a cultural landmark, but a living, sacred landscape spanning over 600 kilometers and more than 150 sites central to the spiritual and ecological life of the Wixárika people.

This global recognition comes at a critical moment. In March 2026, after years of legal defense, a federal court ruling led to the cancellation of dozens of mining concessions in Wirikuta—an important step forward, but one that still leaves the territory at risk and underscores the urgency of sustained protection.

The UNESCO designation marks a major milestone—but it is not the endpoint. It brings an immediate responsibility: to ensure this vast biocultural corridor is protected, understood, and actively cared for.

The next phase must begin now.

Over the next 12 months, we will work directly with Wixárika communities and local stakeholders across five states of Mexico to build a shared path forward. This includes community consultation, gathering critical environmental and cultural information, and developing a comprehensive Management Plan to guide long-term protection and governance.

This effort centers Indigenous leadership and meaningful collaboration. Through workshops, outreach, and on-the-ground engagement, we are laying the foundation for lasting stewardship of these sacred lands.

Your support helps launch this urgent next phase—ensuring that global recognition and recent legal progress translate into real, on-the-ground protection.

Read more about the plan and the budget here.