Located in the southern mountains of the state of Oaxaca, Santa Catarina Cuixtla is a Zapotec community. Cuixtla means "Where there are many hawks" and is composed of Cuitizn: "hawk, kite" and Tla: a suffix indicating abundance. Santa Catarina Cuixtla is a rural community of approximately 1,390 inhabitants; the community is also part of the Zapotec region and promotes the protection of the Zapotec language and culture. It boasts abundant natural resources, such as springs, which are the main source of drinking water for its population.

The territory of Santa Catarina Cuixtla is communal property, and for the last 20 years, its forests have been managed collectively to produce pine and oak timber. It is a community that is committed to the care of its forest, placing great importance on its Forest Management Plan.