A
New Model for Yucatan
Located
in the Bolonchen District of the Puuc region of Yucatan, Mexico,
the Helen Moyers Biocultural Reserve
is a privately owned entity managed by Kaxil Kiuic, A.C. It
consists of 4,000 acres of dry tropical forest and contains
within it the ancient Maya center of Kiuic as well as the remains
of the historic community of San Sebastian
(map of region). The
abundant and diverse flora and fauna found within the reserve
make it one of the best remaining zones of dry tropical forest
in the Yucatan Peninsula. The ecological and cultural resources
of the reserve are protected, and 50 hectares of the Maya center
of Kiuic have been officially donated by Kaxil Kiuic to the
National Institute
of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Kiuic is one of the first archaeological sites that has been
acquired officially by the INAH in Yucatan and will be preserved
in its entirety within the protection of the biocultural reserve
that surrounds it. This initiative represents a new model for
development in Mexico to manage its ecological and cultural
resources.
History
of the Reserve
The reserve was created through the purchase of a number of
privately owned parcels of land that had originally formed a
single territory. This land had been privately held by a single
family since at least the late 18th century, which is one of
the reasons that it has been so well preserved. The land was
divided into parcels after the death of the patriarch, Mr. Canul,
in the mid 1990's. The process of deforestation and increasing
exploitation of the natural resources threatened the future
of the forest of Kiuic. Recognizing the significance of this
area, several local Maya, including Sr. Mario Magana of Oxkutzcab,
approached individuals who were to form Kaxil Kiuic with their
concerns about this endangered landscape. Over the next several
years, with the support of
Millsaps College
and
Edward and Helen Moyers, efforts were successfully made to purchase
the parcels and reestablish the original Canul holding. Kaxil
Kiuic, an international nonprofit organization based in Mexico
was established to manage the reserve, again with support from
Millsaps College and Jay and Julie Lindsey. Already in the top
third of privately owned reserves in Latin America in size,
efforts continue to raise funds to purchase remaining areas
of well-preserved dry tropical forest that extend beyond the
boundaries of the Helen Moyers Biocultural Reserve . It is hoped
a larger zone of some 9,000 acres will eventually come under
the protection of Kaxil Kiuic.
Major
Resources of the Reserve
The
Helen Moyers Biocultural Reserve is the home to one of
the best preserved remaining tracts of dry tropical forest in
the Yucatan peninsula. Situated in a zone of rolling hills and
narrow valleys the dense forest supports a wide range of flora
and fauna. Although baseline inventories of the forest are in
their early stages, it is already known that the forest of Kiuic
has the most major animal species of the region, including some
that are highly endangered. These include jaguar, puma, jaguarundi,
javelina, coatimundi, miniature and white tailed deer, and a
wide variety of bird species. The reserve is known to be the
home to over 20% of all known species in Yucatan and has been
declared "...One of the great remaining areas for bird
watching in Yucatan". In addition, the reserve is a major
sanctuary for small mammals, reptiles, butterflies, insects,
and spiders.
The
dry tropical forest is healthy and well-preserved and includes
some rare stands of 'precious' woods. Much of the area is medium
to low caducifolia forest. Common tropical hardwoods and softwoods
are found abundantly in the forest.Some of these include Balché,
caoba, chacá, chichibé, zapote, ceiba, and ramón.
Xerophytes and orchids abound as do most known flowering plants
of the region. Native cedars (Kulinché, also Astrovium
graviolens), a species in danger of extinction, were common
and though heavily extracted in recent years, are being successfully
reestablished in the reserve through a program of selective
reforestation. A species of palm leaf known as 'chit' considered
to be a 'menaced species' is also found in the reserve.
The
archaeological and
historical resources within the reserve are magnificent. Situated
in the center of the reserve is the archaeological zone of Kiuic,
a major Maya center with a history covering from 600 BC until
AD 1000. Extending over several kilometers, the site is characterized
by its elegant vaulted buildings, many of which are still standing,
and its wonderful hilltop settlements. The Maya in this area
farmed the flatlands and built many of their beautiful palaces
and stone buildings on the tops of hills providing the ancient
Maya with striking views of the countryside.
The
reserve also includes the historic ruins of the town of San
Sebastian (also known as Rancho Kiuic). This community of Maya
was founded at least by the late 1700's and continued to be
occupied up until the 1950's. This community lived on the periphery
of Mexican society, a true frontier community whose leadership
was Maya. San Sebastian was also the town where Stephens and
Catherwood stayed when they
visited Kiuic in the 1840's and in fact the remains of the Casa
Real where they spent the night are still standing and the focus
of one of the research initiatives at Kaxil Kiuic. The Research
and Learning Center
is located within the ruins of this historic community near
the ceiba (tree of life) that marked the location of the center
of town.
Goals
of the Reserve
Helen Moyers Biocultural Reserve is a living laboratory
where research and education are carried out in an effort to
not only acquire knowledge but help sustain the reserve's ecological
and cultural resources. The goal is to provide an international
setting where a wide range of disciplines work and study together
exchanging ideas and information both formally and informally.
It is also a place designed to provide support to the neighboring
Maya towns as they confront the challenges of sustaining their
own culture and identity.
The
reserve supports a growing number of research
projects, educational programs,
and efforts to contribute to the development of long-term productivity
and sustainability for nearby
communities.
