Project: Development and conservation in the upper part of the Cahabon river watershed.

Institution: PROEVAL RAXMU

Project period: July 2008 - June 2012

Project location:

Two areas are affected by this project (see map). The project is specially focused on the Sacranix and the Yalijux mountain.

Initial 20 Communities:
Yalijux mountain: Chicacnab, San Lucas Cakipec, Sequila', Sequixpur, Sesalche' I, San Vicente, Nuevo Amanecer Ulpan, Chelemha, San Antonio Las Puertas, Semesche', Bancab Sepoc
Sacranix mountain: Chituj, Catalji, Samac, Sacranix, Se'nimtaka, Ahinal Chinache', Champoc I, San Isidro, Chinacocom The project will spread benefit to at least 40 communities through the biological multiplier "passing-on-the gift".

Project description:

This conservation project has components of (1) agroecology, including agroforestry, soil conservation, integrated food production systems, animal husbandry, improved basic grain cultivation, food security; (2) environmental education, with empowerment in sustainable development; (3) biological monitoring; and (4) passing-on-the-gift.

Project details:

1. Agroecology. Participants combine animal husbandry, forage crops, organic fertilizer production, soil conservation, crop diversification, and fruit and basic grains production to create an integrated agroecosystem that allows farmers, families and communities to flourish along with the environment in which they live.

Agroforestery: Planting orchards as buffers between agricultural parcels and the forest discourages agricultural burning, thus decreasing the incidence of escaped wild fires. Participants learn ecological management of orchards. They practice propagation, grafting and pruning of fruit trees for increased yield. Communities tend nurseries for both fruit trees and native cloud forest trees for reforestation.

Nursery of native cloud forest trees in the village of Chicacnab (Caquipec-Yalijux mountain range).

Soil Conservation: Plant steep agricultural slopes with living barriers of forage crops and nitrogen fixing trees to prevent soil erosion. Incorporating organic fertilizer and green manure to replenish soil fertility.

Animal Husbandry: Integrated systems of diverse domestic animals provide families with organic fertilizer for their orchards, gardens and basic grains, as well as eggs, meat, milk and financial income.

Basic Grains: Improved production of traditional basic grains such as corn and beans. Multi cropping of basic grains with traditional vegetables and perennials such as fruit trees and forage crops provides disincentives to agricultural burning.

Food Security: Community members work together for access to a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet, through a sustainable food system that maximizes community self-reliance, social justice and environmental integrity.

2. Environmental education and empowerment in sustainable development. In monthly classes in each community, eco-literacy promoters teach natural history and ecological principles that empower project participants to make ecologically sound decisions in their use of land and natural resources as they work to develop their livelihoods.

3. Passing-on-the-gift. Project participants agree to multiply living biological resources and to share acquired knowledge, the offspring of gift animals, and seeds of gift crops with others in need. This natural multiplier develops solidarity and the ability to help others. Through passing-on-the-gift, the project spreads steadily among the communities that border the cloud forest.

4. Biomonitoring. Continued monitoring of bird populations in the Sacranix and Yalijux mountains. Field data are recorded by farmers who have been taught previously in conducting scientific bird counts.

Responsible:

Tara Jean Cahill (Environmental Scientist)
Rudy Manuel Cu Cajbón (Bachiller Ciencias y Letras)
Cesar Orlando Hub Cacao (Perrito Agroforestreia, Bachiller Ciencias y Letras)

Funding and Partners:

	http://www.heifer.org This project has funding and assistance from Heifer International de US$ 204,351.00 (Project Number: 23-1319-02) for a period of four years (July 2008 a June 2012) y two years of follow up without funds (July 2012 a June 2014).
	PROEVAL RAXMU Bird Monitoring Program The bird monitoring is also financed by several other supporters.