El Cielo Biosphere Reserve: Community Conservation Project Tamaulipas, Mexico           2005 Annual Report Overview        The El Cielo Biosphere Reserve is a United Nations-designated biosphere located in the eastern escarpment of the Sierra Madre Orientale in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Biosphere regulations allow for local communities to exist within the biosphere, but allow limited revenue producing activities. Most inhabitants rely on the harvest of leaves from the vulnerable palm Chamaedorea radicalis which has resulted in overharvesting of the palm and has caused the locals to travel further and further into the protected forest to harvest. The continued cycle of palm harvesting has caused degradation of the forest and increased habitat disturbance. The Community Conservation project is working to put seedling palms back into the forests surrounding the villages. Additionally it seeks to educate local communities on conservation and biosphere stewardship through eco-tourism initiatives, community development, and scientific research. In 2004 local inhabitants, United States and Mexican non-profit agencies, and staff members from WildShare International began identifying and expanding target programs to aid in long range planning for conservation and community development in the reserve. Research and Reforestation with Chamaedorea radicalis      Reforestation and research efforts are continuing in the reserve with 80,000 of the 500,000 target seedlings planted in the forest. Graduate students from Miami University in Ohio and Dr. Bryan Endress from WildShare International, along with local inhabitants, are monitoring optimum propagation techniques and growth rates for C. radicalis, and the Oklahoma City Zoo is continuing to fund seed purchase for on-going planting efforts.         In February of 2005 a first time sale of sustainably harvested C. radicalis leaves from the reserve was organized through collaboration with WildShare International, local inhabitants, and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America (CEC). These certified leaves harvested within the community of Alta Cima represent the first link in the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable production of C. radicalis.     Continued monetary support is necessary to develop more reforestation plots over              the next seven years. These plots will ensure the development of a multi-faceted palm management program by serving as research plots for Mexican and United States scientists, by providing the backbone for a certified, sustainable forest products industry, and by assisting local inhabitants in protecting the fragile natural resources of the El Cielo cloud forest.                                                                                                     Community Resources Development        Successful conservation management is not just about single species preservation. It is about educating local communities as to their roles as biosphere stewards, and furthering their understanding of how ecosystems are composed of many circles, which are all, interconnected. In April of 2004 a series of meetings were held in the gateway community of Alta Cima with community leaders and NGO representatives working within the Reserve. It was established that to accomplish a successful biosphere management plan activities such as reforestation horticulture, environmental education, and ecotourism development should be organized under the auspices of a fully-functioning botanical garden and arboretum as defined by Botanical Garden Conservation International (BGCI)- “botanical gardens contain scientifically ordered and maintained collections of plants, usually documented and labeled, are open to the public for the purposes of recreation, education and research, and are involved in important conservation work.” At present the development of the garden/arboretum is being funded through the 2006 HSBC-BGCI Partners in Nature grant. The local women’s cooperative has donated two hectares of community property dedicated to the propagation and installation of rare and endangered orchids, cycads, and cactus along with a butterfly attractant garden. In January of 2006 botanists from the University of Oklahoma will begin working with local community members to establish an educational herbarium collection in conjunction with the garden.    An additional four hectares has been donated by the men’s cooperative for the arboretum. WildShare representatives and botanists from UAT-Victoria will offer a community workshop on endangered plants of El Cielo in May, 2006.Also, the first installation of tree seedlings will represent the semi-deciduous tropical zone of the reserve, and they will be in place by summer of 2006.       The creation of a botanical garden and arboretum in El Cielo will allow for the reserve to be utilized by outside researchers and organizations in a more accessible format as well as aid the overall protection of Mexico’s flora given that there are only 51 official botanical gardens in all of Mexico, and they hold only 9% of its native species in their accessions. Owing to the fact that El Cielo is home to thirty-five endangered/ at-risk plant species, approximately forty endemic species, five separate ecotones, and holds the northern-most remaining section of cloud forest in the Americas, the environmental and educational impact of these botanical initiatives can not be understated.       Biodiversity Assessment and Management The El Cielo Biosphere is unique ecosystem comprising tropical, temperate, and arid zones. This 144,530-hectare area is home to 743 species of plants, 25 species of amphibians, 60 species of reptiles, 385 species of birds, 92 species of mammals, and 300 species of butterflies. The third goal of the El Cielo Community Conservation Project is to identify threatened species, critical habitat and wildlife corridors within El Cielo to preserve species diversity, something that was not done during the establishment of the reserve. To complete this goal locally driven ecological assessment surveys of species with technical and financial assistance from Mexican and United States biologists, botanists, and WildShare International staff are now underway. The end result of these surveys will ultimately establish a long-term sustainable reserve management plan that provides for the welfare of both people and animals. The first of these surveys will focus on endemic and migratory bird species and their habitat use. AUT completed training with local residents in 2002 to aid in bird species identification.  Beginning in 2006 these individuals will work alongside biologists from the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO) to monitor red-crowned parrot and golden-cheeked warbler populations in the reserve.         As more funding is secured (USFW Neotropical Migratory Bird Species Grant is pending) surveys will expand to monitor habitat usage year-round of both endemics and migrants. Data from these studies will be incorporated into the International Partners in Flight database and used to provide conservation management strategies for species under the North American Migratory Conservation Plan in the future. The project would include training and seasonal employment of up to 15 local residents annually (5 year projected) with technical assistance from Mexican government and nongovernmental agencies who have a vested interest in birds and/or wildlife and who can contribute to the long-term stability of natural resource management and conservation in the region. At present the project has the support of Partners in Flight, CONANP (the Mexican federal conservation agency), RMBO, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Travis County Audubon Society. Additionally the Institute for Bird Populations and the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory has offered to train community members in field research techniques. Community Outreach and Education        The staff members of WildShare International have assisted the El Cielo Biosphere communities in not only developing a long-term palm management plan, they have also facilitated renewed attention in the region from conservationists in the United States.        With the advent of the 2005-2006 programs it is essential that educational programs be developed for adults and children to enhance scientific research and community stewardship.        Through a generous donation from the American Association of ZooKeepers-Oklahoma City Chapter the first Natural History Center building will be completed in 2006. This building will house scientific papers, biofact collections, and resource materials for the communities. It will also serve as a meeting place for the bird survey research assistants and will temporarily house the herbarium collection until funds can be secured for a climate-controlled facility. What is needed now is to upgrade educational tools and materials. Most children leave the villages after sixth grade to finish their education. Few will return and those that do return have very little knowledge on how to preserve and protect their environment. In 2006 we will seek funds to increase educational opportunities for those who chose to remain in the reserve. Solar panels and computer equipment are needed to help adults and children access the outside world. Educational exchange materials from RMBO and BGCI will be translated into Spanish and used to teach environmental awareness and stewardship. We will also seek a bilingual instructor to visit the reserve during the bird studies to teach English to the research assistants. It is hoped that through continuing education we will ensure enhanced livelihood opportunities for the communities and protection for the many species residing in the reserve. As community members learn more about their environment they will be able to share their knowledge with visitors and facilitate increased scientific exploration.         Conclusion                  The continued success of the El Cielo Community Conservation Project is due to the many partnerships that have been formed since 2002. The ultimate goal of the El Cielo Community Conservation Project is to make possible a long-term conservation management plan for the reserve. This can only be successful through the full participation of the inhabitants and the assistance of outside agencies both in Mexico and the United States. In 2006 a summit of all agencies working in the reserve will be organized through ProNatura Noreste, ProBiosfera, and WildShare International. It is hoped that this summit will provide a blueprint for future conservation and biodiversity protection in El Cielo.