PROTECTION OF OLD FORESTS & FOOD RESOURC

This project addresses the conservation needs of six priority bird species that have been identified in the Sierra Madre Pine-Oak and Cloud-Forests/Western Mixed Coniferous Forests Conservation Business Plan.

There are several objectives. 1) Permanently protect 33,359 acres of forests that include ancient forest remnants and nectar sources for birds through the designation of two 'Voluntary Areas for Conservation' at the Federal level. 2) Restore post-fire sites to improve landscape connectivity on Ejido La Encantada (5,559 acres) and Ejido San Joaqun del Olmo (1,235 acres). 3) Build capacity for natural resource management, such as training 240 local promoters and 30 community leaders who will implement at least 5 community projects and apply best practices to reduce threats to birds. 4) Monitor bird diversity and abundance with community members and quantify the floral resources under different levels of fire disturbance and resource extraction (tequila or livestock feed).

The training and monitoring will culminate in a pilot Management and Business Plan to be developed for one property.