Center for MesoAmerican Conservation, Bosawas

Background

As the largest tract of tropical moist forest north of the Amazon, the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve in northeastern Nicaragua is a precious land area that must be preserved. It is home to 13,000 indigenous Miskito and Mayangna people whose traditional land-use, wildlife extraction and general interest in preserving their ecosystem have caused little habitat disturbance. But poor farmers, the 'mestizos,' have migrated to the region and brought with them a slash-and-burn agriculture. This means a conversion from natural forest to grazing lands, leading to irreversible land degradation. Unless the indigenous people gain legal title to their homeland, the Reserve including its endangered and threatened species like the Giant Anteater, jaguar, ocelot, marguay, Baird's tapir, white-lipped peccary, Central American spider monkey and several Missouri migratory birds will struggle to survive.

St. Louis Interest

The indigenous people of the Reserve have as much enthusiasm for conservation and appreciation for unique ecosystems as the Zoo. They both know it's all connected; saving one species or habitat will ensure the survival for many other species. With four years of experience in the Reserve, the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve Conservation Center can spearhead an effective educational outreach program and implement a Wildlife Management Plan to help save numerous endangered species including the Hoded Warbler and Northern Waterthresh that migrate to Missouri each year.

Goal

To conduct a biodiversity inventory and to evaluate whether current levels of wildlife use are sustainable in order to help indigenous peoples of the Reserve maintain the biodiversity of their land and develop a Wildlife Management Plan for the Reserve.

Conservation Science

The Center will use scientifically accepted methods of monitoring, assessment and analysis. The collaboration includes experienced zoologists, botanists, ecologists, anthropologist, and a math modeler. The resulting Wildlife Management Plan will serve as the basis for wildlife protection and, if necessary, recovery.

Indigenous people are incorporated into all aspects of the project, starting with discussions with indigenous leaders concerning the project objectives and methods, training indigenous project assistants to conduct field inventories and monitor hunting practices, and holding regular workshops that summarize and discuss results.

Partners

Saint Louis University
University of Missouri - St. Louis, International Center for Tropical Ecology
The Nature Conservancy: Nicaragua and Honduras Programs
Idaho State University
Missouri Botanical Garden
Penn State University
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale