With the arrival of December, a deeply rooted custom is repeated: using Natural moss for setting up the nativity scene and other Christmas decorationsWhat at first glance seems like an innocent gesture has, however, become a serious environmental problem due to the massive and illegal extraction of this plant and other associated species.
Environmental authorities have focused on this practice and launched a new edition of the national campaign “Don’t tear the skin off the forests,” a campaign that seeks to curb the harvesting and sale of wild moss, bromeliads, lichens, and ferns. The message is clear: nativity scenes can remain a tradition, but not by taking from nature what sustains the balance of ecosystems.
A national campaign against the illegal extraction of moss
The Ministry of Environment and Energy has relaunched its campaign, coinciding with the start of the Christmas season. “Don’t tear the skin off the trees” or “Don’t tear the skin off the forests”These two slogans have been used in recent years for the same strategy to protect wild flora. This initiative is specifically aimed at those who extract moss and associated plants to sell as decorations for nativity scenes.
Within this strategy, the Environmental Protection Unit (UPMA) of the National Police actively participates in the design and implementation of the controls. The objective is reduce the illegal supply of moss in markets, fairs and roads, where this seasonal trade linked to the end-of-year holidays traditionally takes place.
The campaign is not limited to symbolic messages. It is conceived as a national plan that combines control operations, seizures of wild flora and citizen awareness actionsThe emphasis is on preventing Christmas demand from continuing to fuel a business that degrades forests and moorlands.
According to official sources, this is not an improvised initiative: it is a strategy that It has been applied continuously for about six years.and that each holiday season is reinforced with a greater police presence and more visible information campaigns and, in some places, strengthens penalties for extracting moss.
Operations on highways, markets and extraction points
The agreed-upon plan for these holidays includes Simultaneous checks on roads, squares, fairs, markets and areas identified as extraction hotspots of moss and other species. These operations involve joint teams from the Ministry of Environment and Energy and agents from the UPMA (Environmental Protection Unit).
During the checks, the following tasks are performed: retention of illegally collected wild floraVehicle inspections and checks of street vendor stalls and establishments suspected of selling natural moss without authorization are carried out. If irregularities are detected, the plants are confiscated and the corresponding sanctioning procedures are initiated.
In addition to points of sale, efforts are focused on the places where moss is traditionally harvestedsuch as rainforests, hillsides, and moorland areas. There, surveillance teams try to deter on-site extraction and identify those who organize the collection for later distribution.
The campaign also includes educational and community outreach activities. The following are planned: talks and workshops in schools and community spaces to explain why moss and bromeliads are not mere decorations, but key pieces of the ecological infrastructure of forests.
Authorities emphasize that, although controls help to curb the problem, prevention and early information They are essential. Christmas shopping starts in many places as early as October, so awareness campaigns should begin even before nativity scenes appear in shop windows and homes.
More than a ton of wild flora seized
Official data shows that illegal moss harvesting is not an isolated phenomenon. Among Between 2021 and 2024, approximately 1.055,44 kilograms of wild flora were confiscated. destined for the black market, a figure that includes mainly native mosses, bromeliads (such as Tillandsia usneoides and T. incarnata) and lichens.
These amounts only reflect what is detected in operations, so the authorities admit that the real figure for extraction could be higher. The seizure is just the tip of the iceberg of a problem that combines the pressure of the Christmas market with a lack of knowledge about the ecological impact of uprooting these species.
The information gathered by environmental agencies and the police has been used to adjust the planning of operations year after yearfocusing resources on the most critical routes, markets, and extraction zones during the peak sales season.
At the same time, the repetition of campaigns and official statements aims to ensure that both sellers and buyers are clear that Natural moss intended for nativity scenes is not simply a decorative productbut rather the result of an activity that, in most cases, violates current environmental regulations.
Ecological functions of moss and why it's not just decoration
Far from being a mere "green carpet", moss, bromeliads and lichens fulfill a fundamental role in the functioning of forests and moorsThese plants act as a kind of natural sponge that retains moisture and regulates the water cycle in the areas where they grow.
Experts explain that moss contributes to the regulation of water resources by capturing and storing rainwater and fog. This function is especially relevant in mountain ecosystems and high-altitude areas, where a large part of the water supply for nearby communities depends on this natural storage.
In addition, these organisms help to soil protection against erosionBy covering the ground, they reduce the direct impact of rain and wind, stabilize the substrate, and prevent the loss of the fertile soil layer, which is key for other plants to take root and develop.
Moss and bromeliads are also a refuge for numerous species of faunaFrom small invertebrates to amphibians and reptiles, many species find shade, moisture, and food in these microstructures. Uprooting these plants also destroys the microhabitats upon which many species depend.
When extraction is carried out on a massive scale, it generates processes of erosion, loss of moisture and alteration of the ecological balanceIn the medium and long term, this degradation can end up affecting the quality and availability of water that reaches towns and cities, as well as the resilience of forests to climate change.
Criminal and economic penalties for picking moss for the nativity scene
The current legal framework considers the illegal extraction, possession and commercialization of moss and other wild plants as a serious offense against the environment. According to the Comprehensive Criminal Code, these actions can result in penalties ranging from one and three years in prison when they affect protected or threatened species.
At the administrative level, the Organic Environmental Code provides fines for removing moss and ferns that range from $2.300 to $92.000Depending on the severity of the case, the volume of flora involved, and whether the offender is a repeat offender, these penalties include the confiscation of the species, as well as the tools, vehicles, and other means used for extraction or transport.
Authorities insist that It is not only the person who pulls up moss in the mountains who commits an offenseThe buying and selling of moss are also considered part of the illegal chain. Participating in the trade, even by acquiring a small pile of moss for a nativity scene, can have legal consequences if its illicit origin is proven.
In control operations, agents verify both the documentation of the origin of the flora such as the necessary permits for nurseries or shops that sell plant products. If permits are not provided, the material is seized and the corresponding legal proceedings are initiated.
The message conveyed by those responsible for the campaign is unequivocal: Ignorance of the law does not excuse one from responsibilityCitizens are urged to become informed and refuse to buy natural moss, especially when it is offered on public roads or without proof of origin.
Sustainable alternatives for Christmas nativity scenes
To maintain the tradition of nativity scenes without harming ecosystems, authorities and environmental organizations recommend Avoid using natural moss and bromeliads originating from the wild, especially when sold at informal stalls or fairs without any kind of permit.
Among the suggested options, the following stand out: reusable and low environmental impact materialssuch as felt, recycled paper, plant fibers from controlled crops, or artificial moss made with durable products. These alternatives allow the nativity scene to be recreated without directly impacting the forests.
In the case of established businesses that sell plant decorations, consumers are asked to request certificates of origin and environmental permitsIf the establishment cannot prove the legal origin of the product, the recommendation is not to buy it and to look for other, more responsible options.
The authorities also emphasize the importance of the home educationExplaining to children and families that the nativity scene can be just as beautiful using alternative materials helps to break the idea that real moss is essential in Christmas decorations.
Finally, the population is encouraged to report points of sale or extraction When it is suspected that protected plants are being uprooted, the UPMA and official citizen service channels collect reports about markets, roads, and public spaces where wild flora is being sold without authorization.
This year's campaign once again highlights that, although the holidays are a time of tradition and celebration, The environmental cost of decorating with natural moss is too high for forests, moorlands, and water sources. With increased enforcement, clear penalties, and sustainable alternatives available to everyone, authorities hope that more and more people will choose nativity scenes that respect nature and stop literally tearing the skin off the forests.