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The El Pilar vision comes from archaeology, where clues to managing the complex habitats of today's forest are embedded in Maya prehistory. The structure of the forest is a relic of the dynamic relationship in which humans play an integral part. This relationship extends back more than four millennia to the initial agricultrural pioneers of the Maya forest -- the heritage of contemporary farmers. It is the ancient Maya landscape that provides evidence for sustainability in one of the planet's last frontiers: the tropics. |
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| Traditional tropical agricultural systems are as complex as the forest in which they have developed. Mimicking the forest structure, these polycultivation systems reduce uncertainties and increase food producation. Relying on traditional decisions of farming households, the forest garden constitutes the strength of the Maya community and provides an alternative for the future. | |
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| Recognizing benefits, the local community is ready to assume responsibility for developing regional conservation stategies. To encourage this, the immediate and short-term needs of resident families must be incorporated into the long-term goals for El Pilar. | |
| The El Pilar Program has set the stage where local and distant visitors can explore and discover the beautiful Maya monuments beneath the luxuriant forest canopy. Education and participation strengthen investments in conservation and management, and link the community to the reserve. This is the foundation upon which the future success of El Pilar depends. | |
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| The program model is designed to conserve the environment and preserve the culture of the ancient and contemporary Maya forest -- resources shared by Belize and Guatemala. The success of this model can be seen in the vitality of El Pilar Archaeological Reserve for Maya Flora and Fauna. | |
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BRASS/El Pilar Program |
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| ISBER/MARC ~ Meso American Research Center University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA |
C/O Santa Familia Monastery |