CC is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In 1984, Dr. Rob Horwich and Dr. Jon Lyon initiated CC's first project, the Community Baboon Sanctuary in Belize. This led to the foundation of CCC (now CC) in September 1989. This project set CC's direction which was to target and catalyze community projects, both locally and internationally, and to continue monitoring these projects on a long term basis.

We want to take this time to thank our partners who have continued the community conservation process in Belize, Wisconsin, and elsewhere.

Ornate Box Turtle Conservation - In 1991, CC assisted Bill Moore in initiating a conservation project for the endangered ornate box turtle. The ornate box turtle inhabits the sandy, dry prairie areas from their northern most range in southern Wisconsin, down to Texas. After the initial start-up, this project was then taken on by Bob Hay and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, who have continued to carry it forward. Since 1992, the DNR has focused on rebuilding viable turtle populations by helping Rock County landowners with management plans for the turtles. They translocate relic turtle populations as well as head start hatchlings. Rebecca Christoffel has carried on the community education, research and management program.

Organic Farming - In 1990, the Kickapoo Organic Resource Network (KORN) formed as an interim educational organization under the umbrella of the Kickapoo Cultural Exchange of Gays Mills. With grants from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, KORN coordinated educational programs with the Coulee Region Organic Produce Pool (CROPP), a local commercial organization selling organic dairy products and organic produce. Local farmers participated in these programs about organic farming practices. In 1995, CC was involved in creating the book, "Organic Dairy Farming", by Bobby Zirkel and Laura Benson. The book is now in its third printing and has been widely used in the US, Canada, Russia and Australia.

Kickapoo Reserve - In 1991-2, CC worked with Kickapoo Valley residents to write a proposal to convert U.S. Army Corps lands near La Farge into the Kickapoo Reserve. CC worked with Al Anderson, a University Extension agent, in presenting the proposal to the larger community. CC also worked with State Senator Brian Rude, Area Representative Dwayne johnsiude, Representative Steve Gunderson and Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl in getting state and federal laws created to transfer the lands to the Wisconsin Department of Administration. A locally based Kickapoo Managing Board, headed by Ron Johnson, has been appointed by the Governor. Recently, two Ho-Chunk members have been appointed to the Board since they will own 1200 acres of the Reserve land. The Board hired Marcy West as Executive Director and has begun to manage the lands. A recent draft of a management plan has been written. We wish the Board and staff and state representatives well in their continuing efforts to develop and conserve these reserve lands.

Kickapoo Valley Stewardship - As an offshoot of the Kickapoo Reserve Project, CC had envisioned a stewardship program for the Kickapoo Watershed. CC wrote a proposal with Roger Widner and the West Fork Sports Club for such a project in 1994. In 1996, CC hired Tina Hirsch to work at coordinating aspects of the program.

There have been many participants helping to establish good stewardship practices in the Kickapoo watershed. CC would like to recognize and thank the many people and organizations that have been partners in this work; these include the watershed schools, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources(DNR), Crawford, Vernon and Monroe Counties, the Kickapoo Valley Association, the West Fork Sports Club, Trout Unlimited, and many local residents.

Working with Trout Unlimited (TU) and Laura Hewitt, CC and Tina Hirsch and Barb Schieffer coordinated an education program with 8 Kickapoo schools and a program for citizen water quality monitoring. Special thanks go to teachers Frank Accomando, for help in water monitoring, and to Denise Buckbee, for help in initiating the US/Mexico water monitoring program.

The Wisconsin Advanced Telecommunication Foundation awarded CC a grant to introduce a GIS mapping program into Wauzeka, North Crawford, Kickapoo, La Farge, Brookwood, Viroqua, Cashton, and Westby schools. Dr. Jon Lyon and Edgewood College played a major role in this project.

Special thanks go to Harriet Behar for her help in land use planning.

The University of Wisconsin and TU have initiated several research projects on tourism and land use in the area. The West Fork Sports Club has involved residents in the rehabilitation of streams and has also promoted area tourism. This collaborative work will be furthered and focused through the creation of a new organization, the Valley Stewardship Network (VSN). CC has received grants from the Stry Foundation,TU, and the DNR to develop the VSN programs. Outreach and education work have already begun.

Finally, in creation of the Museum of the Kickapoo in 1997, CC wants to thank Kathy Fairchild, Rob Horwich and Kat Tigerman for exhibits, Maggie Jones and David Linton for exhibit design, Glenn Donovan for exhibit embellishments, and Ellen Brooks and Dave Hackett for building renovation.

The Blue Mounds Project initiated by CC and Brian Pruka, now employs an ecological /biodiversity extension agent, Bob Wemerehl, to work with private landowners on protecting and restoring biodiversity on their lands. The project currently includes over 100 land owners encompassing over 11,000 acres of land. Additional thanks go to the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board, Laird-Norton Foundation and the Madison Community Foundation, the Prairie Enthusiasts and the Wisconsin DNR for financial support. Thanks to Board members Carroll Schaal, Dean Lesser and Mike Anderson.

Eagle Conservation - Thanks to Dave Erickson, Maggie Jones and Ferry Bluff Eagle Council members, especially Matt Millen, Jean and Juliana Clausen for their work protecting Wisconsin River eagle roosts and nests and for monitoring the eagle population.

Sauk Prairie at Badger - In 1997, CC approached Laura Olah and the Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger (CSWAB), a watch dog organization for the Badger Army Ammunitions Plant (BAAP) lands in south central Wisconsin. In 1998, CC assisted them in creating a proposal, using the Kickapoo Reserve proposal as a model. The proposal goal was to rally various interested groups and individuals around the Sauk Prairie restoration of the old BAAP lands.

This initial proposal helped stimulate the the formation of the Community Conservation Coalition for Sauk Prairie(CCCSP), a coalition of dozens of area and conservation groups. CC is currently the financial umbrella organization for CCCSP while they seek non-profit status. CCCSP has hired Jason Van Driesche to coordinate their activities.

Recently, CCCSP sponsored a lecture series on the Sauk Prairie and BAAP lands. This series culminated in a panel discussion of major stakeholders including Merrimac and Sumpter townships, Sauk County Wisconsin DNR and the Department of Administration, the Ho Chunk Nation and the USDA Dairy Forage. CC specifically thanks Curt Meine, Charlie Luthin, Viginia Metcalf and Mary Yeagel of CCCSP for their help in moving the project forward.

BELIZE

The Community Baboon Sanctuary began under the Belize Audubobn Society working with their Executive Director, Mick Craig. Initial funding came from the World Wildlife Fund and later came from the Milwaukee County Zoological Society with the help of Dr Gil Boese. The creation of the CBS came about with the help of the villages and villagers of Flowers Bank, Scotland Half Moon, Bermudian Landing, Isabella Bank, Double Head Cabbage, Willows Bank, Saint Pauls Bank and Big Falls.

Thanks to the first and current sanctuary Manager, Fallett Young, as well as other staff: Calbert Banner, Reuben Rhaburn, Iola Joseph, Jesse Young and Guides, Camille Young, Robert, and Alvin Young. Thanks also to Gail Bruner and Ginger Nickerson for their studies of the CBS project, which has in turn helped to stimulate dozens of other rural Belize community conservation projects.

Community Co-management Park System - In discussion with Richard Belisle, Rafael Manzanero of the Belize Forest Department, and Humberto Paredes of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), CC initiated a proposal for a co-managed park system. This was eventually funded by the United Nations Development Program to PACT. Lisel Alamilla was hired to direct the program, which was initially to aid 5 parks. We wish PACT, Belize, and the involved communities well in continuing this important project.

Sarstoon-Temash National Park - In 1989, following the lead of Dora Weyer, with some discussion with Chet Schmidt, CC Director Rob Horwich initiated a proposal for a biosphere reserve to interest the Government of Belize (GOB) in community-based conservation for the Temash River area. Although the communities of Barranco and Crique Sarco were visited and showed interest in a community conservation program, the GOB was not yet interested.

The Sarstoon-Temash National Park was created in 1994. In February 1997, Horwich, Judy Lumb, Jim Beveridge and Steve Peterson travelled to the five communities adjacent to the Park to invite them to participate in a conference on community involvement in the park. CC with Judy Lumb helped initiate this conference for the villagers of Barranco, Crique Sarco, Sunday Wood, Midway, Temash Bar and Conejo. The conference was moderated by Fabian and Sebastian Cayetano, formerly of Barranco, and hosted many local people and NGO's including the K'ekchi Council, PACT, UNDP, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and the GOB. An initial working group of the local communities was formed at the conference and conference transcripts were published by CC and Produciones de la Hamaca.

Since then, under the leadership of Greg Ch'oc, the communities have formed the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management, which is working to develop a number of development and stewardship programs for the area and is currently seeking support for the program.

Five Blues National Park was created in 1991 after community members from Saint Margaret's village, under the leadership of Lee Wengryzn, lobbied the GOB. Soon after, The Friends of 5 Blues Association was formed and was given permission to manage the park. CC with help from Marion Glazer and the Ministry of Economic Development then sponsored Wendy Gerlitz to work with the Association to create a management plan for the park.

In 1994 the Association received a UN GEF grant to administer the park and set up some infrastructure for it. Lee Wengryzn was hired as Administrator along with two wardens. Later, foreign volunteers helped to administer the park. They included Peace Corp volunteers Wendy Maldonado and William Benz, followed by Evelyn Schuler, a Swiss volunteer, and some students from Princeton University. Raleigh International built an orientation building and CC aided Alison Ormsby in developing an education program and some park literature. Two bed and breakfast associations have been set up to accomodate tourists and the park now charges an entrance fee.

With the UNDP co-management grant to PACT, staff were again hired including Mario Perez as the new administrator. Perez had previously been President of the Board.

Gales Point. Manate - In 1991, CC wrote an initial proposal to create a biosphere reserve around the manatee lagoon system. The GOB responded in 1992 by creating the Manatee and Manatee West Special Development Areas as interim protection. Glen Godfrey, then Minister of Tourism and the Environment, called a community meeting to initiate the project.

With the help of Dolores Godfrey, Executive Director, the Belize Audubon Society sponsored the project. Two Peace Corp Volunteers, David and Cristin Rich, began working with Walter Goff, Village Chairman, and other members of Gales Point to create the Gales Point Progressive Cooperative (GPPC) in 1993 for resource management and ecotourism. Others who helped in this project were Chief Justice George Brown, Hortense Welch, and Dale Greenlee.

An advisory committee including Rich, Chris Augusta and Barbara Boardman, worked with Goff and the GPPC to create a management plan for the area which was approved by the GOB. UN GEP and USAID grants weie obtained and the project was turned over to Belize Enterprises for Sustainable Technology (BEST), under Brigit Cullerton. The grants for 1993-4 enabled the project to create a biodiversity survey and some development projects. The biodiversity studies and a turtle conservation project begun by Greg Smith in 1992 employed Gales Point residents Dickie Slusher, Winfield Slusher, Moses and Kevin Andrewian. Despite continued attempts, the project was unable to obtain additional grants until Cecil and Phillippa Bailey obtained a GEF grant in 1997. CC's fund raising was unsuccessful until they aided PACT in obtaining the co-management grant.

Howler Research - Research on the black howlers or baboons has been carried out since 1981, including a successful conservation effort to reintroduce howlers into the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Thanks to Fallet Young, Reuben Rhaburn, Robin Brockett, Dr. Roxie James, Eric Schneider, Fran Hunter, Deborah Goin, Franklin Pavon, Laura Marsh, Sam Koss, Dawn Kitchen, Barry Hartup and Dr Clara Jones for the successful studies which are continuing to date. Thanks to the National Geographic Society and the Lincoln Park Zoo Scott Neotropical Fund for their support.

These general studies led to the success of the howler translocation from the CBS to the Cockscomb fom 1992-1994. CC worked with Dr. Fred Koontz of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Osmany Salas of the Belize Audubon Society, and Ernesto Saqui Director of Cockscomb, to plan and carry out the project. Sixty-two howlers were translocated. By 1997, over 100 animals resided at Cockscomb. A population of over 500 monkeys is estimated within another 10 years.

Thanks also to other volunteers and researchers, including Hermalindo Saqui, Emiliano Pop, Dr. Wendy Westrom, Dr. Scott Silver, Dr. Linde Ostrow, and the British Royal Air Force which helped fly the howlers.

Hickatee (Central American river turtle) Conservation - As an extension of the CBS project, CC recruited John Polisar to study the situation of the Hickatee which is an endangered species consumed as a local delicacy. Polisar's research led to some changes in the laws regarding hickatee hunting. Polisar and other CC staff worked with June and Hubert Neal of Freetown Sibun who eventually created the Community Hickatee Reserve along the Sibun River. Kevin Wright of the Philadelphia Zoological Society became involved when they acquired a gravid female hickatee from the confiscation of an illegal turtle which produced a number of baby turtles.

A UNDP grant enabled the creation of an orientation building at Freetown Sibun. The project is now under the direction of June Neal and the umbrella of the Sibun Watershed Association.

RUSSIA
Homeland of the Crane- In 1994 Karen Dahl and the Viroqua Area Taldorn Friendship Association contacted CC requesting help with a conservation program in Taldom, their sister city, 80 km north of Moscow. The area is protected as a Zakaznik but has no staff or financial support. The Druzhina for the Conservation of Nature, an NGO from Moscow State Universiy, was working to protect and research the area which is an important area for the migration of the European crane.

After an initial visit Taldom, CC wrote a joint proposal with Jim Harris and the International Crane Foundation (ICF), to get support from the Institute for Soviet American Relations (ISAR) to carry out the program. CC thanks Ilya Belov, Eugene Siminov and others from the Biodiversity Conservation Center in Moscow, the projects sponsor.

The Homeland of the Crane project is centered on a 40,000 hectare wetland area. Directed by Elena Smirnova, supported by Druzhina members Tanya Konovalova and Alexi Yashenko, the project began a community education program for the Taldom and Sergei-Posad areas, which encompass the protected wetlands.

The Druzhina volunteers worked with Alexi Klimenko, Mayor of Taldom, and members of the Taldom and Sergei-Posad Natural Resources Departments. The Minister of Natural Resources of the Moscow Region gave consent for all the work encompassing the protected area.

In 1995, a team of US biologists, including Dr. Rob Horwich, Dr Jon Lyon, Dr. Cathy Owen, a wetland expert, and Rob Pflieger, a volunteer, worked with the Druzhina volunteers on a management plan. Taldom and Seigei-Posad Natural Resource Managers worked with them creating this management plan for this area based on GIS mapping.

Druzhim volunteers carried out research on cranes and other wetland flora and fauna as well as studies of the local people's relations with wildlife. Other work included creating displays on cranes and wetlands for the Klitchkov Museum, creating an area guidebook, leading field trips for local school children, and organizing a yearly crane celebration.

Eugene Siminov has furthered this project by building an ecological center in rural Taldom as a base for continued research, education and conservation outreach projects by the Druzhina volunteers. They are working closely with the new Taldom Administration which has created an Agency for Protected Areas in the Moscow Region. Thanks to Siminov and the other Druzhina volunteers in continuing this successful project with wishes for their continued good work.

ASSAM, INDIA
Golden Langur Conservation- Dr. Rob Horwich was invited by Dr. Chuck Southwick, an advisor to the Indo-US Primate Project to attend their annual meeting in Jodhpur, Rajasthan in 1997. The Indo-US Primate Project began in 1994 under Dr. S. M. Mohnot to establish a primate center for primate studies in India. The project works closely with Dave Ferguson of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service which has funded it on PL480 monies.

Previously Horwich worked closely with Dr. Arun Srivastava, Director of the Northeast Centre of the Indo-US Primate Project, and with Rajen Islari, Director of the Central Land and Forest Protection Committee (which has recently changed its name to the Wildlife Conservation Society), on a project to conserve the golden langur and its habitat. The langur is endangered and resides only in western Assam and Bhutan.

With a grant from the Margo Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, administered by Conservation International, the project has focused on the main range of the golden langur which encompasses 350,000 hectares of 4 contiguous forest reserves in western Assam.

The project has 4 main goals: 1) to work with local communities to reforest their village areas, 2) to work with the Assam Forest Department and NGO's to create a Biosphere Reserve of the area, 3) to work with an isolated Kakoijana Forest Reserve which has a population of langurs and 4) to develop a regional education pxogram focused on the golden langur and other primates.

In February, 1999 Islari and Horwich had signed up over 70 villages residing in the forest reserves to participate in a reforestation program. With the help of researcher Jihosuo Biswas and Assam Forest Department staff, some nurseries are being set up for reforestation in a few local communities. Additional work is being done by Nature's Foster with communities surrounding the Kakoijana Forest Reserve.

In meetings with Principal Chief Conservator Lahon, Chief Conservator of the Westem Circle Rabha and District Forest Officers Barman, Redi and Goswami, Srivastava and Horwich have initiated a dialogue with the Assam Forest Department on both working with the forest reserve communities and establishing a basis for beginning a management plan for the Bio-sphere Reserve. Thanks also go to Range Officer Brahma and the Bhutan Forest Department staff in facilitating our trips to adjacent forests in Bhutan. In addition, the program has created primate posters and a book entitled "Primates of Northeast India" by Dr. Srivastava, for distribution in the area.

The past year, the program has been slowed due to intertribal violence and threats from illegal logging concerns. This year, a grant from Noel Rowe and Primate Conservation, Inc. will be used to continue the program. Additional funding is being sought where CC may play an extended role through advising in other aspects of the Northeast Centre's program focused on all the primates in NE India.

NICARAGUA
Chacocente Conservation- CC responded to the Richland Area Santa Teresa Sister City's request for help. Mayor Jose Martinez needed help for the municipality for protecting the tropical dry forests and turtle beaches of Chacocente. Visits by Jane Furchgott, Marty Clearfield, Bonnie Wright, and Jose Marraquin helped to investigate the situation. CC, with sister city help, created a proposal to gain support for the project. They have been aided by Dir. Juan Carlos of Fundacion Cocibolca, Dr Fred Koontz of Wildlife Preservation Trust, and Randall Arauz of Earth Island Institute. All sister city members deserve credit for raising money for a boat and a motor to help protect the turtles and to help support the program which will be coordinated by Peter Smith in the coming year.

TRINIDAD
A brief trip to aid Bjorn Sletto in a community mapping project for the Nariva Swamp introduced the villages of Cascadoux and Kernahan to community conservation. Thanks also to Nadra Gyan and the Trinidad Forestry Department and to Dr. Peter Bacon.

MEXICO
CC's involvement with Punta Laguna has mainly been through its Associates Veronica Long, Laura Callahan and especially Dr. Laura Vick, who have been carrying out spider monkey studies there. Through the work of Serapio Canuul in protecting spider monkeys, Pronatura de Yucatan, JoAnne Andrews, Fernando Sastre and others, the protected area has increased and a number of economic programs are being carried out.

And last but not least, thanks to the CC staff Kathy Fairchild, Maura Otis, Kathy Casper and Christine Violet for holding the office together and helping to coordinate the projects.

The many projects and people who have been working for good stewardship of the Kickapoo River Valley are coming together under a new watershed-wide group - the Valley Stewardship Network (VSN). Representatives from town and county governments, Community Conservation,Trout Unlimited (TU), the Kickapoo Valley Association, UW-Richland Center, the Kickapoo Valley Stewardship Alliance, and the UW-Extension, along with citizen monitors, teachers, farmers and business people, have been meeting regularly since October of 1999 to look at long-term benefits of maintaining a healthy ecosystem in the watershed.

As TU's area project was wrapping up, CC began looking for funding to stimulate the creation of the VSN to build on the educational and practical work going on. A $10,000 grant from the Stry Foundation of La Crosse, WI provided start-up funds for the first year of VSN and was matched by a $5,000 grant from TU. The Wisconsin DNR will also be contributing $10,000 for planning. VSN is hoping to facilitate the growth of the many programs that have already begun, including the citizen and student water monitoring programs. In addition, VSN is hoping to achieve 501(c)(3) status in the next 1-2 years.

VSN organized the first "Celebrate the Kickapoo Day" on April 29th at the Readstown Village Park in the heart of the watershed. The event included information booths and presentations on a wide variety of topics; including birds, cold water streams and fish, organic orchards, geological history, prairie restoration, and sustainable forestry. Special guest Ben Logan, a local author of "The Land Remembers" spoke on the relationship between the land and the people and how changing attitudes and practices in the Kickapoo area led to the good health of the land and water being enjoyed today. VSN is already off to a great start and is looking forward to many years of exciting projects working to preserve the beauty and health of the valley for generations to come.

The idea of linking watersheds in Wisconsin and Mexico began with Kickapoo High School teacher Denise Buckbee. Tired of taking her Spanish students to Mexico as tourists, she was looking for something more meaningful. A CC education project on natural resources and water monitoring within the Kickapoo Valley drew her interest in 1998 and the seed for the Ayuquila Kickapoo Association was born. Since then she has been joined by LaFarge teacher Karen Lee and Viroqua teacher Greg Attleson and his wife Sylvia. They were encouraged by the link that the University of Wisconsin has with the University of Guadalajara and the Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve in the state of Jalisco. This Biosphere is famous for the discovery of the progenitor of wild corn which was found within it.

The program began with visits by Buckbee and her students to the Ayuquila watershed funded by the Spanish Club's sandwich catering service. Since then, Mexican teachers and educators have visited the Kickapoo Valley and the U.S. teachers have visited villages in the Ayuquila watershed including Autlan, El Grullo, El Limon, Tuxcacuesco, and Tomatlan.

Mexican visitors to the Kickapoo Valley have included Eduardo Santana who is concluding his graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, Chava Garcia, who is carrying out an education project within the Jalisco schools, Prospero Olivares, and Citlali Cortes. Citlali spent a month in the Kickapoo Valley to help organize the ambasssador program.

Teachers and students have given presentations about the program to other schools, to the Kickapoo citizen water monitiors, and at the "Celebrate the Kickapoo Day". Additional accomplishments include Kickapoo Schools being designated as an official sponsor for exchange students, and Karen Lee and the La Farge schools being awarded a Goals 2000 grant to create a resource center for bilingual materials on water, conservation, legends and indigenous people for the Kickapoo and Ayuquila watersheds. Viroqua students, under Greg Attleson, have created a newsletter entitled "Cuentos de la Cuenca" to share information about the Kickapoo Valley with the Jalisco schools. Next year, Buckbee will be attending the School for International Training to further program goals.