With the support of Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero, the state of Nayarit has launched an unprecedented project that unites environmental conservation, Indigenous culture, and tourism promotion. Led by the Secretary of Tourism, Juan Enrique Suárez del Real Tostado, the program organizes plastic collection brigades on beaches, with the goal of transforming it into public art that reflects the state’s identity and its indigenous roots.
This ambitious plan features the collaboration of renowned Wixárika artist César Menchaca, who will transform the collected plastic waste into welcome murals and works of art displayed in key tourist destinations in Nayarit. The initiative is an innovative example of how sustainability and culture can go hand in hand.
Clean Beaches and Environmental Awareness
“The FIBBA brigades are not only dedicated to keeping the beaches of Bahía de Banderas clean, they also have an even more important task: raising awareness among tourists and residents about the importance of leaving these spaces just as they found them: clean,” said Suárez del Real Tostado during the opening ceremony, held at the Bahía de Banderas Trust (FIBBA) beach club and parking lot.
Although collecting large quantities of plastic will be difficult due to the brigades’ constant maintenance, the project continues with a parallel awareness campaign that seeks to educate and sensitize the population and visitors about their role in protecting the natural environment.
Art with a Purpose
Nayarit is positioned as the only state in the country that systematically transforms plastic from its beaches into public art. Under the direction of César Menchaca, the works will bear the imprint of indigenous communities, with a focus on the Wixárika worldview and the use of traditional techniques.
The first murals will be installed at the entrances to strategic tourist destinations, and a special exhibition is also planned at the Riviera Nayarit Airport, which will showcase these pieces as a symbol of the state’s commitment to sustainability and cultural identity.
“This project is not just a project. It represents the action, unity, and participation of governments, communities, and artisans. It is an opportunity to revalue the art and culture of our indigenous peoples, Nayarit’s magical hands for the world,” said Menchaca.
The project expands to highways
The initiative will not be limited to the beaches. According to the state’s Secretary of Mobility, Sistiel Karime Buhaya Lora, the project will extend to roads and highways, both state and federal, and even to Nayarit’s public transportation system.
“We are going to take this project to every corner of the state, in collaboration with the National Guard. It is a project as big as Nayarit,” said Buhaya Lora.
The event also featured the participation of Javier García Bejos, director of Mota-Engil México, a strategic partner in the state’s connectivity and tourism infrastructure.
Environmental Commitment from the Government
This action is part of a series of projects promoted by Governor Navarro Quintero, who recently led the Mololoa River Cleanup and Sanitation Campaign. On that occasion, he emphasized that “this project not only represents an environmental action, but also a social commitment and a demonstration of the coordinated work that distinguishes Nayarit.”
The cleanup campaign covered different parts of the state, including Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Sayulita, and Rincón de Guayabitos. Welcome murals made from the collected plastic will soon be installed in these locations, each with a visual identity that represents the local community.
A Responsible Tourism Model
In a context where mass tourism continues to put pressure on Mexico’s coasts, Nayarit is charting a new course. By transforming waste into cultural symbols, the state not only reduces its environmental footprint but also honors its indigenous peoples.
With the joint efforts of state institutions, artists, communities, and private sector partners, Nayarit is redefining its tourism identity—mural by mural, plastic by plastic.
Source: vallartadaily
