Sierra Madre Alliance Program Overview
by Randall Gingrich

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The Sierra Madre Alliance advises, supports, and collaborates with a number of Mexican nongovernmental organizations and indigenous communities to preserve the biological and cultural heritage of Mexico's northern Sierra Madre Occidental. Integrated programs strive for a balance between conservation and the needs of local residents. At stake are the last one percent of virgin forests, critical wildlife corridors to the United States, endangered species such as Thick-billed parrot, and some of the most traditional Aboriginal communities in North America. The following programs are the product of local, national and international cooperation and mutual support:

Conservation and Land Programs

There is no place else like Pino Gordo according to wildlife biologists familiar with the Sierra Tarahumara. Anthropologists state the same about this pueblo, which was isolated until illegal logging roads were constructed in 1991 and 103 Tarahumara families were stripped of their land rights by a corrupt faction from a neighboring community. SMA is advising traditional leaders to on defense of these forests from illegal logging and restoring the land to its traditional owners. These problems are expected to be under control by June, 1999, when participatory planning begins for a community reserve which will grant permanent protection to these endangered forests and the community who lives there.

Sierra Tabaco

SMA is negotiating a conservation buyout of the largest roadless area in the Sierra Madre, which contains spectacular old growth forests, riparian areas, Paquime cultural ruins, and abundant wildlife including bald eagle, black bear, and wild turkey. This private reserve is planned to become the core of a restorative ranching movement in the northern Sierra. This effort is part of a larger project to purchase or declare reserves at various conservation priority sites in the Sierra in cooperation with Pronatura, Naturalia, and The Wildlands Project.

Coloradas de la Virgen

The old growth forests of Coloradas de la Virgen rival those of Pino Gordo in diversity and extension. SMA is consulting with indigenous leaders in land tenure issues that will enable the Tarahumara to protect these woodlands. The community is fighting to restore land rights to 300 Tarahumara families.

Neotropical Migratory Birds and Other Species of Interest

SMA is sponsoring studies on neotropical migratory birds and other threatened or endangered species in the Barranca Sinforosa area. To date, 177 species have been identified. Studies of Wild turkey, Spotted owl, Goshawk, Thick-billed parrot, and habitat conditions will proceed in the summer of 1999. The program trains local biologists and community promoters. A community education program on the relationship of birds, habitat and quality of life is planned.

Restorative Development and Community Organization

Community Health Program - Mexican Director Isela Gonzales, an anthropologist-nurse, and nurse practitioner Linda Wylie, have completed a health needs assessment in Baborigame and are providing training, equipment and medicine in preventative health and women's reproductive health to the women of MITYTAC, who will designate local health promoters.

Leadership Training - Baborigame In 1997 and 1998, SMA co-sponsored a series of training forums attended by 23 pueblo governors and other leaders. Training included indigenous rights, civil rights, governmental function and structure, environmental policy, case studies and strategic planning seminars. SMA is following up with the pueblo of Baborigame, which is forming a core group of community activists for strategic planning and action towards returning control of communal lands to traditional authorities and traditional values.

Organizational Effectiveness Program SMA is sponsoring a group of Mexican and international consultants to work with SMA and various partner groups and community leaders to engage in strategic planning and re-structuring efforts to better serve integrated community interests. Projects include strategic planning forums, board development, fundraising workshops, leadership training, computer training, development of informational materials, and webbsite development.

North-South Indigenous Permaculture Exchange SMA sponsors agricultural interchange between Native Permaculture Trainers from Navajo and Pueblo Nations in New Mexico and Tarahumara and Tepehuan farmers. SMA sponsored seven Tarahumara in 1998 at the Picuris Pueblo Permaculture Training Camp. Navajo trainers will conduct a ten-day workshop in Pino Gordo in June, 1999. Permaculture is a systematic method of land restoration and sustainable agricultural design. Native farmers are increasingly adapting permaculture techniques which actually are a hybrid of traditional agricultural practices from around the globe and recent innovations of organic farmers, architects and landscape managers. The exchange is by no means one sided. The US Natives learn from the practices and philosophy of Tarahumara who survive by traditional subsistence agricultural and gathering.

Partners for Progress

SMA collaborates with , provides financial or logistical support, and assists in many ways the following organizations:

MITYTAC - Mujeres Indigenous Tarahumara and Tepehuan, Asociacion Civil
CIOAC - Centro Independiente de Obreros Agricolas y Campesinos
CASMAC - Consejo Asesor Sierra Madre, A.C.
Desarrollo Comunitaria y Alternativas Ambientales, A.C.
Principal Nongovernmental Consultants to SMA
Crafts: Maya Youngblood, Bindu Paper

SMA is collaborating with and planning future programs with:

CEDANEM - Centro de Derechos Ambientales
Indigenous Permaculture Center, Denver Colorado
Northern Arizona School of Natural Resource Management, Dr. Tom Alcoze, Dr. Pete Foule
Naturalia, A.C.
PRONATURA, Nuevo Leon

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