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.
 
 

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