Reserva Huitepec as Territory

"The reserve is more than flora and fauna," explains famous historian Andres Aubry. "It is people, towns, and the cultures of those towns as well."

After he explains the geological, cultural, and historical past, present, and future of the reserve he concludes:

"There are three options to move forward.

1) We can conserve the reserve through government control, allow minimal human interaction, and allow them to preserve the reserve in the way they deem is most suitable.

2) We can sell the reserve to Coca Cola through NGOs set up by the company for land appropriation and allow them to preserve the reserve in a way they deem is most suitable.

3) We can return to the ways of older generations and farm the forest ourselves in the way we deem is most suitable."

These are not only the three options we have for environmental conservation, by every aspect of our lives. Too often we give power and control over our lives, communities, and governments over to "experts". We have systematically disempowered ourselves and our ideas through this gradual process. Post-Katrina New Orleans, increased frequency of bankruptcy, decreased public influence over national politics, and the disappearance of family units and neighborhoods are all symbols of this trend.

Start today. Talk to you neighbors; attend a town meeting; take a walk through your home town and think of how you would like to make it and better; then do it. The time of counting on others, for food, for energy, for money, for security is over.