About Angélica
Women guardians of the hills

Instagram: @Tiaayalagalvan
Location: Tepoztlán, Morelos, México

Angélica Ayala Galván, known as Tía Ayala, is from Tepoztlán, Morelos. Since 2012, she has been part of the Youth Front in Defence of Tepoztlán, protecting land, the environment and local culture. She is also a member of the collective Amo ximayahue kan nin tlen nechtlakaita (“Do not fear what we fight for”), advocating for women’s rights.

Tía has served as a community steward in Santo Domingo, volunteered as a firefighter, trained as a social anthropologist, and is pursuing a PhD in Gender Studies at UNAM. She enjoys music, walking through the hills, and sharing life with her partner.

For Tía Ayala, the land is home — a space where bonds, customs and traditions grow. Her land is the hills that have accompanied her throughout life, where every step carries lessons, joys and sorrows that are healed collectively. It is the daily life of her neighbourhood, the collective actions to protect shared spaces, and the rhythms of her community.

“If my land could speak, it would tell me to hold on to my strength and never give up defending it. It would remind me to find balance, to savour the moments when I walk through it, appreciating its soil, its animals, and its plants. It would tell me to rise from the ashes whenever I lose hope, and to continue fighting for just causes.”
Angélica “Tía” Ayala

For her, climate justice is repairing the damage humanity has inflicted on the planet and taking action at the community, national and international levels to protect life for future generations.

Tía’s project

In the hills of Tepoztlán, forest fires are increasingly threatening the land due to intentional burning and careless tourism. These fires put El Tepozteco National Park, a vital area full of biodiversity, at risk. They have caused soil erosion, landslides and water shortages for local communities.

Women Guardians of the Hills is Tepoztlán’s first all-women community firefighting brigade dedicated to preventing and fighting wildfires, as well as restoring the environment. Twelve women leaders will receive training in fire prevention, first aid and reforestation, and the brigade will be officially recognised by local authorities.

Building on the important, but often invisible work women have done to care for the hills, the project promotes gender equity, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and youth engagement. By supporting women as key protectors of the land, it ensures their role is visible, valued and empowered — helping secure a healthier environment for future generations.

Learn more about the Amos Climate Fellowship →