SMA PROGRAMS:
Biocultural Conservation

Sierra Madre Alliance supports a network of Mexican and international partners in pursuing Bio-Cultural Conservation priority goals in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua. Our program objectives and the activities of the network are designed to preserve the bio-cultural diversity, health and functioning of the forested ecosystems of the Sierra and the people who live there.

The BioCultural Conservation Program objectives include:

• Protection of remaining old-growth pine–oak forests,
• Restoration of watersheds and riparian areas,
• Protection of endangered specie such as Thick-billed parrot, Golden trout, and medicinal plants
• Conservation of neotropical migratory birds,
• Preservation of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge and Practices,
• Restoration of Ethno-ecological Fire Management.

Biocultural Conservation

SMA’s Conservation Program is grounded in community-based processes to determine local objectives. Conservation biology provides the scientific context, which is integrated with traditional indigenous knowledge and traditional management practices to create a shared vision for the Sierra. We provide financial support, scientific studies, environmental education, training, and technical assistance to support local environmental objectives.
Projects include:

• Ethno-EcoLogical Mapping and Planning in 15 Ejidos and Communities
• Training Indigenous Conservation Promoters and Biological Assistants
• Bilingual Environmental Education
• Building A Network of Community Protected Reserves
• Planning a “Sierra Tarahumara” Biosphere Reserve 
• Integrated Riparian Restoration, Native Trout, and Bird Conservation
• Neotropical Migratory Bird Studies

Protection of remnant old-growth forests in the Sierra is one of the highest environmental priorities in North America.

Protection of remnant old-growth forests in the Sierra is one of the highest environmental priorities in North America. Less than one-half of one percent of the original old growth remains in the Sierra, an amount which is insufficient to sustain the biological diversity and ecological functioning of the region.

Threatened and endangered species include: Thick-billed Parrots, three species of Trogon, Spotted owl, Northern goshawk, Military Macaw and a number of native fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Several species of native plants essential for indigenous medicine are threatened.  These species as well as over 120 species of neotropical migratory birds which winter in the Sierra, are threatened by the cumulative impacts of logging, grazing, agricultural clearing, and catastrophic fire.

These same threats have greatly damaged the watersheds of the Sierra which impact local communities and downstream users. Runoff from the Sierra irrigates more than seven million acres in five states in Mexico and the United States.   

Watershed Restoration

Restoration of watersheds and riparian areas of the Sierra and protection of remaining remnants of old-growth forest are the primary goals of the Sierra Madre Alliance Conservation Program, which is supporting micro-watershed (usually less than 10,000 hectares per community) restoration efforts in various communities in the Conchos, Sinforosa and Papigochi watersheds.

Protected Areas

Establishing protected areas for sustainable and restorative management under traditional indigenous authority is one of the primary goals of SMA.  Several communities such as Choreachi (AKA Pino Gordo) and Yoquivo have stated their desire to protect endangered habitat and critical watersheds.    The Ejido of Yoquivo and other communities wish to gain international certification for sustainable forest management and are working with SMA partners, CESTAC towards developing an integrated management plan.

SMA and Tierra Nativa help indigenous leaders, guided by the vision of ancient shamans, to defend Pino Gordo.

At the heart of the Sierra Tarahumara is the community of Choreachi, the last Tarahumara community to live in an ancient forest.  These Tarahumara have proposed establishing a protected area for biocultural management under their traditions, however they are threatened by land fraud and governmental negligence, prejudice in the courts and agencies, and corruption.   SMA and Tierra Nativa help indigenous leaders, guided by the vision of ancient shaman’s, to defend Pino Gordo.  

CESTAC, SMA and other associates, with funding from US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Commission for Protected Areas (CONANP) are currently helping ten communities restore watersheds and riparian areas. CONANP, with co-funding and support from SMA and CESTAC, has been evaluating the region for establishment of a Biosphere Reserve since 2004. The Sierra Tarahumara has been decreed a priority EcoRegion for Conservation by CONANP and the United Nations Environmental Program thanks in part to research and conservation initiatives funded by SMA.