NativeKul is an initiative created to respond to the growing environmental and social challenges affecting the First Land communities in southern Mexico City. The project combines climate adaptation, environmental education, and agricultural independence by designing native xerophytic green roofs and home green zones that require no water and almost no maintenance. These spaces cool overheated classrooms, regenerate soil, and become places where children can interact directly with local biodiversity. The idea emerged from our own experiences growing up in Tlalpan and La Magdalena Contreras, where extreme heat, poor ventilation, and limited resources often affected the quality of education. By transforming school rooftops into living ecosystems, we aim to ensure that learning is not interrupted by climate conditions and that children have access to meaningful, practical STEM experiences.
At the same time, NativeKul recognizes the central role that housewives and family caregivers play in the cultural and economic life of these communities. Many of them face structural inequalities, limited financial independence, and restricted access to agricultural resources, despite being responsible for much of the household’s food practices. Our project includes an educational program designed specifically for them, offering the knowledge and materials needed to build zero-water home green zones capable of growing native crops such as beans, corn, and prickly pears. These gardens strengthen food autonomy, reduce household expenses, and make visible the importance of Indigenous agricultural knowledge in urban settings.
Through the creation of school ecosystems and home green spaces, NativeKul works toward a broader vision of community resilience. The project not only addresses rising temperatures and educational inequalities but also promotes biodiversity, strengthens local identity, and empowers groups historically excluded from environmental decision-making. By engaging both children and caregivers, NativeKul creates a model of environmental action that is achievable, community-rooted, and capable of scaling across Mexico City’s most underserved areas.