From Fear to Fascination—
And Children Become Friends of the Dragoncitos
Your donation brings live reptiles into classrooms.
You help children understand—and protect—the reptiles and amphibians that share their world.
Why The Dragon Conservation Project is important
In many parts of Latin America, children grow up surrounded by reptiles — but often with fear, uncertainty, or dangerous misconceptions.
Our Dragoncitos school visits change that.
Children meet live reptiles up close.
They get to watch, observe, and experience these animals in a way that transforms how they see them.
Fear becomes curiosity.
Dislike becomes respect.
This is how conservation begins — not in theory, but right there in the classroom
Where Our Work Is Needed Most
Our reptile presentations are a hit — so much so that private schools and universities invite us and pay for the program themselves.
But the places that need this kind of education the most —
remote, low-income regions with extraordinary biodiversity —
are the very places that cannot afford it.
With our own resources, we can reach only a small number of these schools,
because in these communities, we cover every cost ourselves:
transportation, materials, animal care, and trained educators.
No matter how committed we are, without additional support,
we reach our limits quickly.
That’s why we count on Dragoncito reptile lovers — people like you.
Here in Mexico and around the world.
What Your Donation Makes Possible
Here’s how your support creates real impact
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$10 one-time
→ helps cover the care and feeding of our animals.
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$20 monthly
→ funds two school visits per year in regions that could not afford these programs on their own.
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$40 one-time
→ pays for a biologist to teach a reptile workshop.
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$120 one-time
→ covers all costs for a full reptile course at a school.
How We Use $120 for Each School Visit
We want you to know exactly how your donation is spent.
Travel costs shown here are averages—nearby schools cost less, distant schools cost more, but it balances out over the year.
Preparation & planning
(communication, scheduling, safety checks) — $10
Transportation — average cost
(transport for biologists, animals & materials) — $40
Educational leadership
(engaged, trained biologists & biology students) — $40
Animal care & food
(before and after each school visit) — $15
Materials for children
(learning cards, worksheets, educational take-home items) — $15
Total — $120
Our young biologists deeply identify with our mission.
They intentionally offer their work at modest rates so that—thanks to your support—we can reach as many schools as possible.
Who We Invite to Join the Dragon Conservation Project
For Reptile Lovers & Keepers
If you love reptiles, you already know how extraordinary they are —
and how often they’re misunderstood.
By supporting the Dragon Conservation Project, you help bring live reptiles into classrooms where children may have never seen them up close.
You help spark curiosity instead of fear, and open the door to respect for the animals that share their home landscapes.
Your passion becomes part of their learning —
and part of their future.
For Foundations, Donors & Institutions
As a small conservation project, we value transparency and personal connection.
We offer:
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clear insight into all costs and field activities,
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an educational approach based on real animal encounters and sound science,
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regular updates, photos, and honest reports from our work,
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direct, tangible impact in biodiversity-rich communities with limited access to environmental education.
We gladly share project documentation and field impressions
and are open to developing small pilot partnerships or support models that fit your goals and ours.
Together, we make a difference that is both small and meaningful — exactly where it matters most.
Whether you’re a reptile lover, a private donor, or part of an institution,
your support helps children learn, communities grow, and Dragoncitos survive.
FAQ — The Essentials at a Glance
Are the animals well cared for?
Yes. The well-being of our snakes, lizards, frogs, and salamanders is our highest priority. For every species, we use transport containers designed specifically for their needs—temperature, humidity, and space to move. Each box includes the same type of hiding spots they use in their terrariums, so the animals have a familiar place to retreat to and feel safe. Most of the animals we bring to schools are captive-bred—many of them were born with us and are accustomed to handling from a young age. At home, our animals live in spacious outdoor enclosures or, for species with special temperature requirements, in maintained indoor habitats. We provide high-quality, species-appropriate food, and we work with veterinarians experienced in reptile care whenever needed.
Can I stop my donation at any time?
Yes. You have full control over your donation and can change or cancel it whenever you want.
Will I get updates about your work?
Absolutely. All supporters receive: monthly email updates with photos, stories, and the projects we’ve been able to carry out, a quarterly video call with Timo, where he shares behind-the-scenes insights, shows photos, answers questions, and gathers your ideas. We also share regular updates on our school visits, our fieldwork, our animals, and how we care for them on our social media channels.
Are donations tax-deductible?
At the moment, no. We’re a small conservation project based in Mexico, with supporters from many different countries. Because every nation has its own tax system, it would take a huge amount of time and administration to meet all those requirements — time we prefer to invest directly into our conservation work with children, communities, and reptiles. We’re exploring options for a future U.S. nonprofit structure, but for now, donations to the Dragon Conservation Project are not tax-deductible in the United States.
Thank You to Everyone Who’s Already Part of This Journey
The Dragon Conservation Project exists because people believe in it — and believe in us.
Every school we visit, every child who meets a reptile for the first time, every Dragoncito we protect…
none of it would happen without you.
To Our Volunteers in Mexico
Your support is the heartbeat of this work.
You join us in classrooms, help care for the animals, organize materials, connect us with communities,
and some of you even open your homes when we’re on the road.
You make sure this project is not just possible, but rooted in local care and friendship.
Rodolfo Camacho, Miguel Bioexotics, Emilia Estrada Bahena, Raul Figueroa,
Felix Gutierrez, Miguel Gutierrez, Miguel Angel Loranca, Luis Lugo,
Jose Luis Martínez, Gustavo Monroy, Efraín Octavio, David Quinto Sol,
Natalia Quinto Sol, Shatty Violeta, Rene Villanueva Maldonado
Thank you for standing with us — in the field, in the classroom, and in your communities.
To Our Supporters Around the World
Your encouragement reminds us that conservation doesn’t stop at borders.
Your messages, questions, ideas, and donations — whether big or small — help us grow, learn, and reach more children every year.
James Corell, Peter Heimes, Jonas Kyle, Justin Munsterman, Savannah Noland,
Adam Trimming, Vojtech Vita, Martina, Heiko Werning, Emily Carter,
Felix Brandt, Olivia Bennett, Miriam Vogt, Samuel Brooks, Laura Steinmann,
Connor Hayes, Hannah Steincke, James Whitfield, Sophie Hartmann,
Ethan Collins, Daniel Reuter, Ava Mitchell, Jonas Brunner,
Grace Thompson, Lea Sommerfeld, Chloe Harrison,
Michael Adler, Liam Parker, Tobias Keller
You show us — again and again — that a shared love for reptiles can bring people together across countries and borders..
To ZooShop Berlin
We are deeply grateful to ZooShop Berlin — the official retail partner of Zoo Berlin, the most visited zoo in Europe.
Thank you for giving us space in your shop to offer our products.
This partnership not only helps us share our mission with a wider audience,
but also generates essential funds that keep the Dragon Conservation Project running.
Support from a business so closely connected to a major conservation institution creates an impact that reaches far beyond Berlin — and straight into classrooms and communities in Mexico.
To the Institutions That Stand With Us
We’re honored to have the support of local leaders and organizations who help open doors we could never open alone.
A special thank-you to:
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The Mayor of Taxco, Juan Andrés Vega Carranza,
for welcoming our work, inviting us to public events, and supporting the development of educational materials. -
The city government of Taxco,
for allowing us to use the Zócalo — the heart of the city — for public reptile presentations. -
UNAM Taxco, a regional branch of UNAM — Mexico’s largest university and the largest university in Latin America —
for generously providing classroom space and technical support for our workshops with children and youth. -
The Botanical Garden of Taxco,
for supporting our educational activities, offering space for community programs,
and helping us connect local biodiversity with hands-on conservation learning. -
Grupo México Foundation,
for helping us print learning materials that reach hundreds of families.
Your backing strengthens the foundation of everything we do on the ground.
Together — volunteers, families, students, scientists, donors, and friends —
We make it possible for children to transform fear into fascination — and fascination into care.
Thank you for being part of this community. Thanks to your support, we help children turn fear into fascination — and fascination into a genuine sense of care.
Join the Dragon Conservation Community
You give children unforgettable moments with reptiles, help turn fear into fascination, and inspire the conservationists of tomorrow.
