The Maya Biosphere Reserve is a stronghold for endangered animals such as jaguars, pumas, tapirs and scarlet macaws. It also serves as a critical watershed for the surrounding communities and as a major carbon sink for the entire planet. The Reserve is of great cultural value because it contains ancient Mayan archaeological sites such as Tikal and the Mirador. Lack of strong governmental regulations, however, has resulted in forest fires, agricultural expansion, wildlife poaching and illegal human settlement in the Reserve, which are causing rapid deforestation, depleting water resources and further threatening endangered wildlife.

There is an early alert system utilized en Carmelita, Paso Caballos and Uaxactún, communities that are found within the Mayan Biosphere Reserve and for which the prevention of fires is of great importance. This system consists of using three alert flags of different colors for coordinating the fires.

• Red means not to burn.
• Yellow means to burn with caution and to carefully watch the fire.
• Green means it is okay to burn.

These flags are put out depending on the conditions and risk of fires spreading and agricultural clearing periods. Through various exercises students will reflect on the topic and paint canvases that creatively and simply explain the significance of early alert, the consequences and ways of preventing fires. The canvases will stay on exhibit throughout the burning season.

To use art to educate and mobilize the communities within the Maya Biosphere Reserve to be responsible stewards of the region’s rich flora and fauna.

The project will achieve the following in the communities of Uaxactún, Paso Caballos and Carmelita:

• Provide exposure for the early alert system.
• Strengthen the activities of the Control and Vigilence Commitees in the communities of Carmelita and Uaxactún and the Community Commission for Control and Prevention of Forest Fires (CIF Comunitaria).
• Community members will have a better understanding of the meaning of the early alert system flags.
• Raise awareness about the importance of the early alert system (EAS) through cultural events, strengthening the work of SIPECIF.

I will work with field staff in each community.

Collaboration with the community will be done through invitations in the schools.

• Create pamphlet and posters about EAS.
• Conduct workshops to create canvases.
• Facilitate cultural activities like a walk for the prevention and control of forest fires and clarify the significance of the EAS flag colors.
• Recreational activities like afternoon programs for kids, videos, a walk, etc.