The reserve has 99 hectares in the northern part of the Industrial Center.
To reallocate more than 12 thousand trees, bushes, and animals to preserve ecological diversity at the Ternium Plant in Pesqueria was a work of significant proportions that created concrete benefits to maintain the area’s ecosystem.
Coexistence of the industry and nature
Seven years after the opening of the Ternium Plant in Pesqueria, we have rescued 32,386 flora and fauna specimens to preserving ecological diversity; it was a work of extraordinary proportions that created concrete benefits to maintain the area's ecosystem.
Since the beginnings of the project of the Ternium Industrial Center in Pesqueria, it was suggested that the focus would be sustainability, with zero discharged water and with the least possible emission of contaminants.
To achieve this goal, besides establishing green areas within the land, we also allocated 23% of it as a natural reserve zone, comprised of 436 hectares.
The reserve is comprised of 99 hectares in the northern part of the Industrial Center, adjacent to other farming lands that have not changed their vocation since the project began.
The type of plants located at the reserve is the type of vegetation that corresponds to the zone, which is very abundant in the northeast part of Mexico.
Rescue the local ecosystem
The whole environmental project was done with native species to preserve the existing ecosystem of the area as is was before it even included farming lands.
Besides, due to it being a low rainfall area, we gathered flower species that do not require a lot of water, thus guaranteeing the sustainability of the reserve. Vegetation found in this area is more useful since it does not need resources; on the contrary, it offers services.
To develop the project, we first rescued the animal and plant species of the area where we were going to remove land to build new industrial units, along with the construction of aqueducts, high-voltage power lines, and pipes. Thus, the filling of the reserve zone began, which was until then a sorghum field. Once harvested, the result was a plain that occupied almost one-fourth of the land.
The concept that we followed was one of forest restoration: we planted trees to keep the area safe.
In general, the plants located at the reserve are mesquites, sweet acacia, ebony, and oak trees, the type of vegetation that corresponds to the zone, which is very abundant in the northeast part of Mexico.
To rescue the zone, we chose trees of up to one and a half meters because, due to their age, they have higher probabilities of withstanding the transplant.
These produce trees that keep all genetic characteristics of the area since they are native plants; they are adapted and, therefore, can survive well. The same thing happened with agave bushes/agave plants, rattail, and barrel cacti, as well as the animals that inhabited the area.
However, the poisonous snakes were taken to authority specified areas, such as the Palo Blanco basin, particular locations in which authorities have these species very well located.
Multi-awarded
The advancement in conservation is tangible: it began with small trees, and they have now reached a good size for their age. We have accomplished a 90% average survival rate; therefore, we did not need to add new individuals. This achievement is enormous since we did the project only with native species, which, in the short term, can be left in nature’s care.
The complete project has given Ternium the recognition of the Forest Science Department of the UANL for the science and investigation work done in the area, as well as the Mérito Pro Flora y Fauna Silvestre (Pro wildlife Flora and Fauna) 2019 award for all the job done on the reserve.