Online: www.interconnection.org/elpilar

Hogshead dancers celebrate at Fiesta El Pilar

The establishment of the El Pilar Archaeological Reserve for Maya Flora and Fauna launches an extensive, interdisciplinary program aimed at developing the site as a model research and educational destination in the Maya forest. Essential to this endeavor is the fostering of a strong ethic of environmental stewardship among the citizens of the gateway villages in Cayo, Belize. Members of the locally-based Amigos de El Pilar benefited from BRASS-sponsored presentations on archaeology, eco-tourism opportunities, native plant uses, and the development of cottage industries. Additionally, we promoted the participation of Amigos in mobile conservation workshops supported by The Nature Conservancy. Under the aegis of the El Pilar Program, the University of the West Indies organized six community workshops aimed at strengthening the organization of Amigos de El Pilar through problem solving and goal setting. The outcome has been a vested pride in the community's Maya heritage and the mobilization of their involvement in its future.

BRASS/El Pilar Exhibit at the Village Fair

In cooperation with the Belize Ministry of Agriculture, BRASS/El Pilar has also initiated a collaborative program with the University College of Belize and the Universidad de Quintana Roo in Mexico, to develop experimental agricultural systems. This part of the program will be oriented to benefit local economies through the development of sustainable agricultural practices derived from ancient polycultural models, a system contrasted with contemporary slash-and-burn practices in the region. This effort within the reserve will serve as a tourist attraction and its successes would be quickly adopted outside the reserve.

Bullet Tree Falls

Language Distribution Pie Graph