In 1996, when forest use began in the vicinity of the area known as the Joya del Hielo, we members of the Sierra Gorda Ecological Group along with conservationists from Mexico City, officials of the then-existing Coordinating Unit for Natural Protected Areas of SEMARNAP, and distinguished academics fromNational Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM),decided to organize ourselves in order to stop the complete destruction of an area unique in its biodiversity.

The Joya del Hielo (now the core zone of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve) shelters a relic of the original mountain cloud forest.  With both Nearctic and Neotropical regional influences in its flora and fauna, it has more that 20 species listed in NOM-ECOL 059 2001 and several endemic species, such as Magnolia dealbata, M.schiedeana, Tilia mexicana, Rhynchostele rossi, Ceratozamia mexicana, Penelope purpurascens, Dendrortyx barbatus, Felis weidii, Mazama americana, among others.  For this reason, the area is a unique place in the state of Querétaro.

Due to its location and its conservation, the area provides important environmental services such as biodiversity protection, storage of CO2, climate regulation, and hydrological recharge - being in a zone with high rainfall, karst substrate, and the headwaters of the Tancuilín River, wich benefit a very large number of individuals and communities with water that is captured here.