Viaje Al Microcosmos

In Monterrey, the Santa Catarina River cuts through the heart of the city. It was entombed in concrete for over seventy years, reduced to a lifeless channel. In 2010, Hurricane Alex swept away much of the invasive infrastructure, and, for the first time in nearly a century, the river began to breathe again, reviving a vibrant riparian ecosystem in the middle of a sprawling metropolis. Still, most residents see only a dry ditch, and new construction projects threaten to erase this quiet resurgence.

Viaje al Microcosmos is reconnecting the city with its river by transforming it into a living laboratory and storybook. Through open expeditions, people of all ages use DIY microscopes and the iNaturalist app to observe and document local biodiversity. Since 2021, their community of over 600 citizen scientists has helped raise the number of recorded species from 781 to 1,126, including emblematic and protected species like the monarch butterfly, American beaver, and spiny soft-shell turtle. Once missing from official records, these findings strengthen legal petitions for riparian protection and ecological restoration. These collective discoveries fuel campaigns for legal protection, large-scale restoration, and long-term shared stewardship, ensuring the river’s future is shaped not by neglect, but by care, imagination, and justice.

In 2023, they introduced the Water Journal, a hands-on tool for monitoring river health through indicators like smell, turbidity, and colour. Over 500 participants have contributed data, identifying pollution hotspots and exposing invisible risks. They compiled six months of water quality readings from a 5-kilometre stretch in the city centre and shared this map with local water authorities to advocate for action on sewage discharges. By weaving together science, art, and community action, Viaje al Microcosmos fosters curiosity, agency, and long-term stewardship of the Santa Catarina.