It contains a high diversity of pine species plus over 135-150 species of oak. Large numbers of these trees are endemic to Mexico. Half the breeding bird species in North America reside in the Sky Islands, 23 are strict endemics. This area also supports seven range-restricted species, including the thick-billed parrot, the Sierra Madre sparrow, and the imperial woodpecker. A remarkable 218 amphibian species and 328 species of mammals have been recorded from this region.
Scientists identified a 6,000 acre old-growth forest as one of the most important breeding areas for the thick-billed parrot. The thick-billed parrot is considered endangered in Mexico and extirpated from the United States as a result of habitat loss due to logging. It also was important to preserving other critically endangered species, including the jaguar, Mexican gray wolf, and the mountain lion.
When it was learned the area was going to be logged, organizations led by the Wildlands Project entered into negotiations with the Ejido Tutuaca community members to find an alternative to benefit both the wildlife species and the community. An innovative 15-year lease agreement was signed whereby community residents receive an annual payment roughly equal to 50% of what the ejido would have earned, were the area to be logged.
The community is seeing the economic advantage of conserving the forest. Conservationists and ejido members are promoting eco-tourism at Cebadillas. A forest study will be completed for the remainder of the ejido's land, which will result in a sustainable logging plan. The National Forest Commission places a market value on environmental services provided by forests (such as clean water), and pays rural communities for providing those services. From these programs, the ejido community receives income that demonstrates how protecting the Madrean Pine-Oak forest can be a win-win opportunity.
Exbiblio™ has partnered with the Wildlands Project on protecting this critical habitat by making a grant to help pay the lease on the forest. We are excited to be part of a project that preserves critical species and habitat while working with the local community to experience the economical and social value in conservation.
