past horizons24 a distant agricultural field. A wide variety of useful plants are cultivated, supplying ground cover, herbs, shrubs, bushes, trees and palms, providing for food, spice, medicine, beverage, construction and ritual needs to say the least. Over 370 different plant species have been documented in the forest gardens of the El Pilar area alone. With their heritage of knowledge of the multitude of plants and their uses, Maya forest gardeners practice conservation through interaction with their environment. Clearly, Maya heritage and agriculture are linked to the conservation of the Maya forest at large. The non- profit organisation Exploring Solutions Past: The Maya Forest Alliance teamed up with a group of Maya forest gardeners to help preserve and teach Maya plant knowledge and land management solutions. With the support of Belize's National Institute of Culture and History and in conjunction with the Ministry of Education they developed the Maya Forest Garden and El Pilar Coloring Book for the integrated health education in primary schools throughout Belize. The colouring book is designed to connect children to their forest environment and learn plant uses. They, like the forest gardeners, will learn to be stewards of the forest, ensuring the future of Maya culture and knowledge, as well as the Maya forest. One of the challenges of preserving the important cultural traditions of the Maya is educating the public on the merits of their time- honoured approach that offers an alternative direction for cultivation and conservation. With a focus on the everyday Maya people, The El Pilar Archaeological Reserve for Maya Flora and Fauna is a living classroom where tourists, locals and researchers alike are learning. As a protected area where native forest species can flourish amidst the monuments, it provides insight into the ancient Maya landscape. El Pilar also houses an active forest garden, maintained by the El Pilar Forest Garden Network, an organization of Maya forest gardeners from the local community. Their involvement and presence at El Pilar colours the past with the vivid hues of their gardens and Maya traditions. View of the Maya Forest from El Pilar ( credit: Macduff Everton) Anabel Ford meeting with members of the El Pilar Forest Garden Network in Belize ( credit: Lisa Udwin) ?

25past horizons Get Invovled We are involved with archaeological survey and work with GIS, laboratory analyses, park management, community development and environmental education. We welcome new insights with our volunteers. Our websites detail our multifaceted project. http:// www. marcucsb. edu ? http:// www. espmaya. org ? We also have an online application at the UCSB website. Cost: $ 2,500 including room and board Dates: 15 April - 30 June 2009 For more information about the El Pilar Forest Garden Network go to: http:// www. mayaforestgardeners. org ? If you are viewing this magazine on SCRIBD, then you will not be able to see the video. You can view it on either the full flip page version of the magazine: www. pasthorizons. com/ magazine OR: on our dedicated video website: http:// www. pasthorizons. tv/ tv/ view/ 275/ el- pilar- mesoamerican- research- center A short video introduction to the El Pilar project