Participatory territorial planning (PTP) is essential for sustainable soil management in the tropical dry forest ecoregion of Mexico, especially in Tehuacán-Cuicatlán. A Community Environmental Monitoring project involved local communities in assessing and monitoring natural resources like soil, water, vegetation, and fauna. Through participatory diagnosis and collaboration with forest surveillance brigades, the project combined scientific and local knowledge. It strengthened community skills and established a baseline for ongoing resource monitoring. A participatory Geographic Information System (GIS) supported territorial planning and decision-making. The initiative aimed to prevent land-use change and promote forest conservation. Community involvement ensured relevance and continuity. This approach highlighted the importance of local participation in research and environmental governance.