Planting Change, Pachamama

Mother Earth calls us at every moment. We just need to listen. No matter where you are on the planet, every place has its own voice, its own story. In Tulum and Akumal, nature speaks through the murmur of the waves, the whisper of leaves in the jungle, and the slow journey of turtles returning to shore to nest. But that voice is fading. ## **Tulum and the Impact of Tourism** Tulum has become a major tourist destination, receiving nearly **2 million visitors a year**, despite having a population of approximately **46,000 inhabitants**. Tourism is the economic engine of the region, with more than **90% of the population** directly dependent on this industry. One of the main attractions is the **Tulum Archaeological Zone**, which receives more than **900,000 visitors** annually, most of them foreign. However, this rapid growth has also led to significant environmental impacts: pollution, resource overexploitation, and damage to local ecosystems. Real estate development is advancing rapidly, privatizing beach access, devouring the jungle, and displacing entire ecosystems. Being a tourist requires taking real responsibility. You may think that by simply taking care of the places you visit, you’re doing your part—but today, that is not enough. I have traveled to many places and always hear the same comment: *“How beautiful, but how dirty everything is.”* Well, **wake up!** It's not enough to point out the problem. **It’s time to be part of the solution. It doesn’t matter who made the mess. Before we arrived, these places were pristine and perfect without us. Let’s wake up: we are part of the problem, but we can also be part of the solution.** ## **Green Footprint: Earth Guardians in Action** Imagine if every person walking along the beach, the town, or the jungle carried a small bag. It’s not a monumental effort, it doesn’t require planning or formal commitment. Simply picking up a few pieces of litter along the way can make a huge impact. This is the kind of change we want to inspire. It’s not just about joining volunteer campaigns but about turning environmental responsibility into a lifestyle, a conscious way to explore and connect with the world. ### **How Can You Be Part of the Change?** ✅ **Always carry a bag with you.** You don’t need to be part of an organization to make a difference. Pick up litter when you see it. ✅ **Leave no trace:** Pick up your trash, and if you see litter on the beach, pick that up too. ✅ **Lend a hand to local initiatives:** Join beach cleanups, reforestation projects, and conservation programs. ✅ **Support sustainable businesses:** Choose accommodations and restaurants committed to sustainability. ✅ **Spread the message:** Share your commitment on social media and inspire others to do the same. Below, we share a list of organizations and activities in Tulum and Akumal where you can contribute your time and energy. ## **Discover Environmental Volunteering in Tulum and Akumal** ### **1. Sea Turtle Conservation in Tulum and Akumal** 🐢 Each year, hundreds of sea turtles arrive on these shores to nest. You can help protect them: 🔹 **Flora, Fauna y Cultura de México A.C.** – Coordinates the *Sea Turtle Conservation Program* in the Riviera Maya. Volunteers participate in night patrols, nest monitoring, and hatchling releases. Season: May to October. **Contact:** [sumate1@florafaunaycultura.org](mailto:sumate1@florafaunaycultura.org) 🔹 **Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA)** – Runs a turtle camp where volunteers help protect turtles and monitor nesting beaches. **Visit their website for application details.** ### **2. Beach Cleanup and Waste Management** 🌊♻️ Tulum and Akumal face a serious pollution problem from plastics and waste. Here are some ways you can help: 🔹 **Tulum Circula A.C.** – Organizes cleanup events and manages a recycling center in Colonia La Veleta. **Contact:** +52 984 143 6683. 🔹 **Fundación TUSERES** – Coordinates large-scale cleanups with other institutions. **Follow them on Instagram:** [@fundaciontuseres](https://www.instagram.com/fundaciontuseres). 🔹 **International Coastal Cleanup Day** – An annual event where hundreds of volunteers remove tons of waste from the sea. Stay tuned to social media to join in. ### **3. Reforestation and Community Nurseries** 🌱 If you are passionate about restoring natural ecosystems, here are some opportunities: 🔹 **“Reforesting Tulum” Program** – Organized by the Tulum Municipality. Follow their calls for action on social media. 🔹 **Riviera Maya Forestry Nursery** – Produces native plants for reforestation. **Volunteer days:** Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in the morning. **Contact:** [sumate1@florafaunaycultura.org](mailto:sumate1@florafaunaycultura.org) ### **4. Environmental Education and Community Projects** 🌎 Share knowledge and raise awareness by joining these programs: 🔹 **EcoLudoteca “La Ceiba” (Tulum)** – An educational space offering environmental workshops for children and families. **Location:** Cancha Maya de Tulum. 🔹 **Centinelas del Agua A.C.** – Protects the Yucatán Peninsula aquifer through cenote cleanups, mangrove restoration, and environmental education. **Contact:** [voluntarios@centinelasdelagua.org](mailto:voluntarios@centinelasdelagua.org) ### **5. Festivals and Events with a Cause** 🎭🌿 Art, music, and ecology go hand in hand at events like: 🔹 **Art With Me Tulum** and **Day Zero** – Include environmental actions such as beach cleanups before and after the events. 🔹 **Turtle Hatchling Releases** – Some eco-friendly hotels organize the release of baby turtles under the guidance of marine biologists. Participate and learn more about conservation efforts. ## **Are You Ready to Be Part of the Change?** More than ever, conscious tourism is a powerful tool for transformation. It is not enough to marvel at the world’s beauty—we must protect it. **Be the change.** Write to us if you need more information or if you have already participated in one of these initiatives. We would love to hear about your experience!

A Special December: Tuning into the Energy of Aquarius and the Collective Awakening When I decided to move to another country, I felt deep inside that it was more than just a move. There was a calling within me—a desire to explore, learn, and discover. Back in 2018, I started shaping my project. At first, it was called Little Grain of Sand, and when I look at those early posts now, I feel tenderness. I knew I wanted to create something special, but I didn’t know how. I dreamed of writing my book, but I also wanted my ideas to become something people could experience and practice. So I embarked on a journey of discovery that, little by little, took shape. With patience and dedication, I managed to breathe life into what is now known as THANKS. With a clear vision: to be part of the collective awakening that I had already felt deep within my soul. Even before the world experienced the impact of COVID, the signs of crisis were already present: wildfires, violence, and the shared pain of a wounded planet. Meeting people from different nationalities revealed a profound truth: beyond our differences, we all dream and celebrate the same things, even if we call them by different names. This realization gave me infinite trust in the creative energy that surrounds us daily: when we wake up, when we observe a flower, or when we feel the joy of a sunrise. It was that indescribable feeling of love that inspired me to make a decision: to create something that unites us, that weaves together intentions, and that somehow contributes to this collective awakening that we are already experiencing. Last year, during the total solar eclipse, I experienced a transformational ritual in a secluded corner of northern Canada. There, in solitude, I buried my fears and limitations. I made a commitment to manifest everything I had been cultivating within me. I felt that the time had come to take a decisive step toward the purpose I came to fulfill in this lifetime. This December, as the Sun moves through the sign of Aquarius, the energy invites us to take ownership of our creativity—to understand it, mold it, and channel it. With this energy, we are called to imagine and build a world of peace and harmony, founded on love, cooperation, and respect. Aquarius is the sign of innovation, freedom, and collective consciousness. It pushes us to break free from old patterns, release what no longer serves us, and open ourselves to a future filled with possibilities. It is the sign of the visionary mind, the creativity that breaks the rules and takes us to a space where everything is possible. Aquarius invites us to transform, to welcome the new without fear. This month, more than ever, the energy of Aquarius invites us to let go of the past, to leave behind everything that no longer fits in this transition toward a new humanity. It’s not just about closing a cycle; it’s about initiating something much bigger. We are entering the Age of Aquarius, a time in which humanity is awakening to a more connected, conscious, and spiritual awareness. This era is defined by technology that breaks down borders, limitless communication, and the awakening of a global consciousness. The pillars of the Age of Aquarius are cooperation, solidarity, and the understanding that the awakening of one is the awakening of all. This December, therefore, is an invitation to reflect and take action. It calls us to tune into the energy of Aquarius, to let go of what weighs us down, and to open ourselves with courage to what is coming. It’s time to dream big, to be who we really are—without masks or restrictions. So, when you look at this December, don’t see it as just the end of a cycle. See it as the prelude to a new beginning. A beginning where we can consciously align with the collective purpose of awakening and transforming. This December is an invitation to embrace what is coming, to trust the process, and to take one more step toward that awakened humanity we are all called to be. The awakening has already begun, and this December marks a new stage in our collective evolution. With love and gratitude, Majo Hummingbird

By Majo Hummingbird For our evolution as a species to be genuine, we must first understand that this process begins within each of us. Personal transformation, marked by self-awareness and the awakening of our responsibility, is the first step toward collective change. The greatest challenge we face today is understanding what is happening around us: Why is the Earth crying out for change? Why is a new paradigm, a new way of seeing ourselves as humanity, so urgent? It is time to reinvent our beliefs, to fully embrace that we are moving toward a more logical, healthy, balanced, peaceful, and harmonious collective consciousness. Is this not what we deeply long for? We can achieve this by integrating our personal roots with the vast knowledge of the world, now more accessible than ever, thanks to the technological revolution and the democratization of information. The emergence of the Internet was a momentous event, comparable to the invention of the printing press or the Industrial Revolution. It has given us the ability to instantly access the wisdom of diverse cultures, belief systems, and ancestral knowledge. This offers an unprecedented opportunity: to consciously analyze, compare, and reconstruct our worldview. This global access to knowledge is not just a technological advance; it is a bridge to true human evolution. It allows us to make a qualitative leap toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and our environment. Some argue that the future lies in the hands of a few who hold power and resources, but this was not always the case. The world, not long ago, was very different, especially when considering that our history as humans extends far beyond the years marked by our calendar. These times are unique, and we are witnessing one of the most significant evolutionary shifts in human consciousness. Hundreds of thousands of people already recognize that reality is something we create ourselves, and thus, building a world of balance no longer seems so far-fetched. It may sound utopian, but utopias are the seeds of future realities. This is where true change begins. We are experiencing an inevitable convergence of knowledge, practices, wisdom, and beliefs that are guiding us toward a more coherent, authentic, and awakened humanity. I like to say that in the not-too-distant future, it will be remembered that there was a time when human beings freed themselves from the limitations imposed by history, religion, and Machiavellian political systems. A time when humanity committed itself to peace and equity, where values became an everyday reality, and a new humanity emerged: healthier, kinder, more authentic, more harmonious, more awake, and more resilient to future challenges. A humanity awakening to its true potential. The time has come to create reality from where you are, with your deepest commitment to change the future of our world. Get actively involved in initiatives that spark real change! Join a local effort to clean up our streets, design something innovative from recycled materials, or champion environmental causes that urgently need your voice. Every small, intentional step has the power to create ripples of transformation. Together, our collective actions can shape a better, more sustainable world. The Earth is calling us, and we can't wait any longer. Are you ready to respond? Jallalla, my friends. Majo HB Jallalla is an Aymara-Quechua word that calls for the celebration of life through unity, harmony, and well-being; it is the recognition of a collective desire to realize aspirations and dreams

🌱 "These words stem from my deepest wish and profound hope." 🌟 As we stand on the brink of a new era, it's clear that our world needs a profound shift—a transformation that touches every part of our existence. From social justice to environmental stewardship, the time has come for us to rethink and reshape our reality. We have the power within us to create a future filled with compassion, connection, and harmony. Join me on this journey of awakening, where each small step leads us closer to the world we dream of—a world where our differences are celebrated, our shared humanity is honored, and our planet is cherished. Together, we can turn what seems like a distant utopia into a vibrant reality. Let’s make this change happen, one conscious choice at a time. 🌍 #Transformation #ParadigmShift #Awakening #Hope #Connection #SustainableFuture