Stephen at Itzamna

It was my privilege to spend the better part of two weeks as an intern for a community-based organization called the Itzamna Society with the purpose of developing and managing Eljio Panti National Park and promoting biodiversity conservation, cultural patrimony, and community development through education.  Being named after the ancient Mayan Lord of heaven who served as priest, author and benevolent friend of man and their creation, the Itzamna Society seeks to continue those roles within the nearby Yucatec Maya farming villages of San Antonio, Cristo Rey and El Progresso. The association consists of active and involved volunteer members representing each respective community, their agriculture, archaeological ruins and natural resources. Their success in making unified decisions of how to manage local lands is obvious and encouraging as each village is healthy and thriving. They value the ecological and cultural importance of the area and are committed to its preservation and sustainable development for the future.  In addition to possessing strong leadership skills, many members have received training including forest planning and management, organic cultivation, and conservation awareness.   My tasks consisted of writing and designing environmental education literature on the ecological, cultural and mythological significance that the Jaguar or “Chack-Mool" has within the Yucatec Mayan society.  In addition I joined a few other local guides for a three- day trek to assess the biological distribution and range of Jaguars and Pumas by tracking their presence among and throughout the EPNP rainforest jungle.