I have participated in two El Cielo Festivals and have participated in two arranged post festival trips. I have also birded Northeastern Mexico twice previously. I applaud your efforts, especially those of Sonia Ortiz who has always helped us reach our goals in birding in Mexico. I look forward to my next trip to this unique area. John Haas

My family made the February trip to El Cielo in 2007. We feel proud and excited about this ecotourism project in El Cielo. The local guides and hosts were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The whole trip was well planned and felt like 2 weeks instead of 4 days! This type of program is very important to the beautiful natural regions of Mexico as it enables the local people to participant in an economy that protects the environment and provides jobs. It also creates good will across the US/Mexico border where negative media coverage has prevented crosscultural exchanges. The US and Mexico are directly connected by the birds and other flora and fauna that only suffer from the hightech devices and barriers. We applaud and commend Sonia Ortiz and her organization for all they have accomplished with Mexbirds.

I was a participant in the 2005 El Cielo Nature Festival. The festival was well organized and close attention was paid to every detail of housing, feeding, transporting and providing an excellent birding opportunity to the participants. Having local guides who had lived in the area all their lives was a real bonus. The crafts that I purchased are treasured reminders of my trip. While talking with Sonia, I realized that she is not only a personable, well-organized director, but also a woman with a clear vision for economic development.

I was so excited about the El Cielo Biosphere area that I spent considerable time in 2006-2007 translating their website and brochures from Spanish to English. As yet, i have not seen the published/implemented results. However, I learned so much about the area that my effort was worth it all ... I just wish that i could be involved more, personally.

This is the type of project that most benefits local people and the environment at the same time.

Good luck to all. If you need my help as a groundwater geologist (hydrogeologist), please do not hesitate to contact me. As this facility begins to serve more an more visitors, it will become critical to protect the underground (well) water supply. This, as well as quantity of water is a particular skill area I have worked in for 40 years. Please count on me, if the need arises.

Saludos y un abrazo ... John Miller

I believe that Sonia Ortiz and other individuals have accomplished a great goal for Geotourism. They have taken a difficult task and made dreams come true. The fact they have taken individuals and taught them the intricacies of birding (sound & sight) should in itself be commended. In doing this, they have managed to protect an environment which is important to the sustainability of many different species. Without their dedication and commitment, there would probably be more species on the "Endangered List", another forest gone forever, and other individuals without any hope of providing for their families.

Karen Chiasson

Dear Ms. Ortiz,

The training that the birding and butterfly guides receive seems useful. English training allows the guides to communicate with English speaking travelers. But this training may also lure them out of Tamaulipas.

After getting English training and getting a command of the English language, what stops your guides from going to the US, working in landscaping and earning more money?

Mexbirds seems like a great project, and I am curious about how it works.

Thank you for your reply.

Dear Ms. Ortiz,

Mexbirds seems like a great way to connect American birding and butterfly enthusiasts with Tamaulipas guides.

How many days is the average all-inclusive trip?

If a traveler does not want to go on an all-inclusive trip-, how do they connnectt with the birding/butterfly guides?

This looks great!

I really believe this to be an excellent way to promote sustainable growth and creatively reduce poverty gaps in one of Mexico's richest naturally protected areas. Programs like these should be adopted elsewhere in Latin America, where abundant natural resources and attractions are scarcely met with intelligent and well-intentioned social programs.

Congratulations!

Miguel Villarreal
Monterey

Muy interesante el proyecto de la Biosfera...