The Reserve and its Neighbors


The vast majority of the lands under conservation in Mexico require the concerted effort of local inhabitants with public and private participants to develop and maintain these resources. In Yucatan, as in most of Neotropic America, traditional "swidden" or slash-and-burn subsistence agriculture, for example, has required extensive tracts of forested land for crops. In addition, agricultural development historically emphasized the conversion of forests into grasslands for livestock or mechanized farming. A steady increase in the human population over the last century and the need to have suitable lands for food production has threatened the integrity of lands under conservation, as well as the development of new protected areas.

The need to increase to maintain biodiversity for future generations makes it urgent to develop viable economic alternatives among traditional farmers. Recent changes in legislative and rural development policy in Mexico now emphasize reforestation and agroforestry as a sustainable alternative for rural agriculturists. Public subsidies also encourage ecologically friendly agriculture based on mulching (instead of burning) to introduce nitrogen into the production of corn, beans, squash, chile peppers and other traditional subsistence crops. Public and private educational institutions are introducing innovative programs designed to help develop sustainable alternatives for rural inhabitants. Initiatives involving men, women and children emphasize ecotourism, ecologically sensitive products and intensified production of food, and are being encouraged and financed by national and international organizations.

Within this context the Kiuic Biocultural Reserve is a unique setting in which the value of conservation can be effectively demonstrated to local and international students. Kiuic's Center for Research and Sustainable Living will provide a setting from which ecologically friendly activities become a way of life for program participants. The Center's educational facilities will be a focal point for learning both within and away from the Reserve. Adjacent lands will contribute material for research into the potential of Kiuic's biodiversity. Ecotourism originating from the Reserve will involve local community members through the generation of admissible economic activities.

On a regional level Kiuic plays an important role in community development as part of the network of historically and biologically-significant sites housed in the Puuc (map). Kaxil Kiuic's educational philosophy will provide the vehicle through which scholars and students can explore and carry out projects working with local people in finding ways to enhance their quality of life while respecting cultural identity. Some ways that Kiuic has supported local community members include: employment in the archaeological research program and in Reserve maintenance, service education (e.g., painting a local schoolhouse), and organization of groups of women for production of hand embroidered products to supplement family income.

As a biocultural reserve, Kiuic's potential contribution to a greater understanding of the Puuc region is excellent. Its commitment to conservation requires community participation in order to achieve greater sustainability in Yucatan. Please join us in our endeavors.