Environmental Resources/ Recursos para el Medio Ambiente
MEXECRI develops research and education projects related to natural resources in collaboration with communities. The results of these studies will be released to the public at local, national and international levels in order to educate the public about the diversity, problems and prospects for sustainable community management of natural resources. Projects are planned in this area to assist communities in developing appropriate water assessment methods which can be implemented at the local level.
Michoacán Pollen and Plant Database: This project will establish a public educational and research database for pollen and plant documentation from the Meseta Purépecha in the highland area of Michoacán, Mexico. This region contains rich biodiversity, that remains largely undocumented, in the high-altitude temperate rainforest near the peak of the ancient volcano Tancítaro. The project will collect, photograph and maintain contemporary and paleoecology reference collections for public access. The project will collaborate with Purépecha (Native American) communities, universities and the Mexican government. The project requires $2000 to begin in 2005.
Cultural Resource Management
MEXECRI develops research and education projects related to the sustainable management of cultural resources in collaboration with local communities.
- Cliff Paintings and Ruins of Parangaricutiro: MEXECRI developed this cultural heritage project in coordination with La Comunidad Indigena de Nuevo Parangaricutiro in Michoacan, Mexico under the authority of the Consejo Nacional de Arqueologia in Mexico. The project involves scientific investigation of the paintings, site excavation, and cultural interpretation and training of local community members in the management of cultural resources.
- Project Photo Gallery
- This project was developed in collaboration with faculty from The University of Connecticut, The University of Texas at El Paso, Central Washington University, and La Universidad de Guanajuato. The National Geographic Society's Committee for Research & Exploration, The Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, and The Society for the Exploration of Cultural Origins, provided preliminary funding and The Comunidad Indigena de N.S.J.P. provided in-kind services, field support, housing and transportation. Additional funding was received from Central Washington University ( Dr. Steven Hackenberger, Dr. Lisa Ely and Dr. Wendy Bohrson), The University of Texas at El Paso, The University of Edinburgh (Dr. Anthony Newton), and contributions from Dr. Ben and Patricia Warren. Private donations have also made a substantial impact on the project.
MEXECRI also supports projects through the Archaeological Research and Public Education Fund. Currently this fund is dedicated to research on cultural heritage sites with the Comunidad Indígena of Nuevo Parangaricutiro (A Native American -- Purépecha community). This project involves identification of cultural heritage sites, archaeological excavation, protection of cultural heritage sites, preservation of artifacts and public education. Research will continue to be focused on the study of Prehispanic cliff paintings in an ancient caldera during 2005. This project has received start-up funding from The Committee for Research and Exploration (National Geographic), The Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies (FAMSI), and the Foundation for Cultural Exploration. We depend upon public support in order to continue this research. MEXECRI works with the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) in all projects.
