About Us

About Us

WE PRESERVE THE ECOSYSTEM OF THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT

Commitment to the Desert and its Communities

We are a non-profit civil association committed to protecting the species of the Chihuahuan Desert and promoting their knowledge. Our goal is to foster their sustainable usage, which can become a source of economic resources for the residents of the communities in this region.
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Our office is located in García, Nuevo León, Mexico, where we coordinate our initiatives for the conservation of the Chihuahuan Desert and support for the Candelillero communities.

Where are the Chihuahuan Desert communities located?

The Chihuahuan Desert, in northern Mexico, encompasses parts of the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, and Zacatecas. In this region, we can find species such as Candelilla, Lechuguilla, and Oregano, which are favored by its unique climate.

What are the communities we serve like?

  • We support rural communities of Candelilla wax producers.
  • The producers, called Candelilleros, live on collectively owned ejidos.
  • These communities are small, located in isolated areas, and lack basic infrastructure and services.

COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITIES

Why do we support the Candelillero communities?

The Candelilla Institute was founded in 2004 by Multiceras, a company specializing in the refining and marketing of Candelilla wax. This wax is extracted by rural producers living in the Candelilla communities. Multiceras has established long-standing relationships with the producers through a network of buyers who visit the communities and purchase the wax directly, allowing it to gain firsthand knowledge of the conditions and needs of these communities. It was this close relationship that led Multiceras to start social support projects for the Candelilleros and their families.

Initially, the Institute was created to promote knowledge about Candelilla and develop projects for the region. However, in 2024, it transformed into a civil association, multiplying its efforts and inviting other stakeholders to join the cause.

DRIVING CHANGE

How do we work?

Our work is structured around three key pillars, in order to establish projects that support beneficiaries and contribute to the development of the region:

Social Development

We promote the organized participation of the population in initiatives that improve their living conditions and benefit the entire community.

Scientific

We promote education, scientific research, and technological development in the region to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.

Assistance

We address the basic needs of communities in terms of food, clothing, and job training, strengthening the local economy.

RESPONSIBLE AND ECOLOGICAL FUTURE

Our Commitment

We promote sustainable development and the well-being of Candelillero communities through conservation and the responsible use of resources.

PURPOSE

We promote research, conservation, and sustainable use of Candelilla and the ecosystems of the Chihuahuan Desert, fostering the well-being of local communities, environmental regeneration, and the cultural and economic value of this emblematic plant.

VISION

To be a leader in promoting projects for the sustainable use of Chihuahuan Desert species, establishing alliances with other stakeholders to consolidate efforts and maximize the social and environmental impact in the Candelillero communities.