SMA PROGRAMS: Biocultural CONSERVATION:
Watershed and Riparian Restoration

The forests and soils of the Sierra have been decimated by decades of logging, grazing and forest clearing.

Watershed restoration is one of the highest conservation priorities for indigenous communities in the Sierra. Destruction of watersheds due to the cumulative impact of logging, grazing and agriculture impacts the daily lives of the Tarahumara. As their springs and streams dry up, birds and wildlife disappear.

Mestizos are also concerned about the impacts as water supplies for towns and ranches dwindle. Streamside riparian habitat is the worst affected, resulting in destruction of habitat essential to over a hundred local and migratory bird species.

Communities Involved in Restoration

In 2005 and 2006, SMA and CESTAC—with support from CONANP, US Fish and Wildlife Service and private donors—sponsored watershed restoration projects in 22 communities and ejidos which generated temporary employment for 895 Tarahumara and Tepehuan.  In total, 570 stone check dams were constructed, one ancient irrigation system was restored, and a greenhouse for a tree nursery was constructed. These projects were accompanied by local and regional workshops on the conservation and protection of natural resources.

With support from the USFWS Neotropical Migratory bird program, CESTAC began restoration of 9.35 kilometers of streamside habitat essential to migratory birds. To date, eight communities have agreed to protect and restore 16 sites. Management agreements, prohibiting grazing in the restoration sites, were signed by each community. The Tarahumara and Tepehuan built fences with materials provided by SMA and USFWS.

We work to balance the needs of local communities and wildlife with the demands of downstream users.

Pre-conditions of the restoration sites were documented by the community with CESTAC biologists.  A monitoring program will initiate in 2007 to evaluate natural restoration and prescribe mediations such as revegetation if natural vegetation is inadequate to restore healthy riparian habitat. The following tables summarize the results of the watershed restoration program from October, 2005 to present.

Watershed Restoration Program Activities

• Participatory Planning and Diagnostic Workshops in Communities
• Community and Regional Organizational Strengthening
• Training Local Leaders
• Community Mapping, Watershed and Riparian Area Assessments

Temporary Employment Programs to Restore Watersheds:

• Construction of Check Dams to control erosion, enhance revegetation, and increase infiltration.
• Riparian Restoration Projects: 6 projects are under construction
• Projects in Planning.

Restorative Agricultural Development Initiatives

• Soil Restoration and Ground Cover – Educational Program for Green Manure Crop Rotation using nitrogen fixing, drought resistant vetch, native beans (frijol criollo) and other cover crops such as rye grass.
• Restorative Community Grazing Projects in Planning in association with local projects for Criollo Rodeo Cattle