Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Earlier this year, we reported on the efforts being made by the Vallarta Botanical Garden staff and their neighbors in the ejidos of Las Juntas y Los Veranos, Emiliano Zapata and Boca de Tomatlán to save the Río Los Horcones Canyon, which is being threatened by the construction of a hydroelectric dam that would be owned and run by a private company.

A public meeting was held in January, and the local media quickly began spreading the news throughout Puerto Vallarta and the greater Banderas Bay region. Photos and videos of the damage started circulating on social media and officials of municipal, state, and federal agencies were appealed upon to stop the project.

This caused a barrage of denuncias (official complaints) to be filed with PROFEPA (Mexico's Ministry of the Environment & Natural Resources), federal agents inspected the destruction and ordered the operations to cease and desist pending further investigation.

Since then, some progress has been made towards ensuring the survival of this natural treasure and its ecosystem.

Los Defensores del Río Los Horcones de Boca de Tomatlan (the defenders of the Horcones River) invite everyone concerned about our environment and the conservation of Puerto Vallarta's natural resources is invited to attend an informative conference about the progress that's been made towards stopping the destruction, on Friday, May 24 at 6:00 pm, at the Rio Cuale Cultural Center.

Local biologists, scientists, lawyers and residents will cover topics such as:

• Is the Hydroelectric Dam Really a Green Project?
• Infrastructure Projects: Human Rights & Territory Defense
• Cultural Evolution of the Bay of Banderas

There will also be a statement made by a 12-year-old girl, who is a fourth-generation Boca de Tomatlan resident, and a question and answer session.

BN Editor's Note: While these discussions will most likely be presented in Spanish, everyone is encouraged to attend in a show a solidarity. Even if you don't understand a word of Spanish, you can 'get the gist' of the community's concern through "The River Los Horcones: A Living Treasure," a 16 photo exhibition by 8 different photographers. Featuring recent pictures of the incredibly beautiful Los Horcones River, this exhibit will help you understand the importance of defending this natural treasure.