Click here to see the El Tigre Expedition slideshow at chrismarzonie.com

The Sierra El Tigre is one such sky island in northern Sonora associated with the western flanks of the massive Sierra Madre mountain ranges where tropical and temperate climates intersect. They don’t call it “El Tigre” for nothing; this is the land of the jaguar, ocelot, and mountain lion. Aside from a large mining operation in the early part of the 20^th century, the range is mostly unpopulated and remote. Only a couple previous scientific expeditions have been undertaken in these mountains and as a result, they are largely understudied. The data collected for the MABA program will be used by several agencies (including those among the Mexican government) to inventory and manage the resources involved.

Overland Society volunteers Dale and Shirley Durham, and Chris Marzonie, assisted the group by providing 4WD transport for gear and people, extra fuel and water, technical support for 4WD logistics including trail repairs and guidance through technical road sections, photographic documentation, navigation and computer mapping support, and general assistance where needed.

The MABA group included several staff from Sky Island Alliance, CONANP (Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas - Mexico’s agency for national parks and preserves) along with volunteers from the University of Sonora and the University of Arizona, and two photojournalists from Sonora Es magazine.

The trip was a great success with many mammal, bird, insect (and even a few reptilian) specimens noted, and over 700 plant species observations and 500 plant collection specimens. According to Tom Van Devender, the project manager, this was the first major plant inventory in the Sierra El Tigre since the University of Michigan expedition led by Stephen S. White in 1938-41.

To learn more about this important program, visit the MABA page at Sky Island Alliance or watch the MABA video. You can also read the full El Tigre Expedition report.

Six of us had a fantastic time with Carlos Robles and his family, assisting with a project on their conservation ranch from October 29 to November 1, 2009.

Check out our Projests page at right (or click here) and view our Picasa album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/TheOverlandSociety

Here is a note from Sergio Avila, coordinator of Sky Island Alliance’s Northern Mexico program, which coordinated the project:

Dear Overland volunteer crew,

On behalf of Sky Island Alliance I want to thank you all for what I hear was a terrific weekend at El Aribabi. I can see from photos that this was a great time for everyone and hear from Mr Robles that results are better than expected. Good job having fun at it!

Sky Island Alliance (SIA), a regional conservation group based in Tucson, initiated work in El Aribabi in 2006 and we have always had positive outcomes and experiences from each field trip. You can be sure a great deal of this is due to Mr Robles’ commitment, enthusiasm and leadership. SIA has a long term goal of promoting efforts like Mr Robles’ and his family, making opportunities available for groups like you and other to enjoy, participate and become part of sustainable projects like this.

From a personal point, I continue to find motivation from other people’s interest on this work, contributing  their own skills and common interests, making El Aribabi the regional leader and example they already are. Thank you for becoming part of this.

Please continue to be engaged in El Aribabi’s project developments. You can do it thru their website, facebook page or even thru SIA’s website: skyislandalliance.org

Thank you again for your work and visit last weekend.

Sergio Avila

We’ve posted our first work weekend project for members, at Rancho el Aribabi in northern Sonora, Mexico, supporting a new ecotourism project and big-cat conservation for jaguars, ocelots and pumas. Not a member? Join us!

• A trip West to join The Humane Society photographing their Assateague of the West Wild Horse
Project (a study that will use a vaccine-based birth control, a process known as
immunocontraception, on a herd of mustangs to demonstrate that the animals can be controlled in
a humane and effective way. The Vanishing America Project will be documenting an important part
of this study and will have an opportunity to capture some amazing and intimate portraits of
America’s Wild Horse).

• A trip to Nevada to hook up with a contact from Overland Expo who will be my guide to track down
the wild mustangs around the Reno and Black Rock Desert areas. Hopefully, I can make the trip in
November/December to get some stunning shots of these amazing creatures in the snow;

• A second trip to Fernandina Beach, Florida to finalize my story on the dying Shrimping Industry,
primarily focusing on black and white portraits of the men and women who have kept the industry
alive;

• If all goes well, Dr. George Robinson, III and I will be working on a series of portraits and
interviews highlighting NASA’s unsung heroes — the men and women behind the scenes who
Issue #5 Wednesday, August 19, 2009 www.vanishingamerica.net
helped launch The Space Age. The desired results include a coffee table book, gallery exhibit,
magazine articles, and possible short video documentary;

• Around Thanksgiving, I will be traveling back to South Georgia to document a family who makes
cane syrup the old-fashioned way…the same way their grandparents did over 100 years ago!

Holt Webb’s Vanishing America Project fulfilled all the criteria, but the judges just really felt Holt’s winning personality and demonatrated ability to launch and finish projects would represent the Flag well. Holt is traveling around the continental U.S., visiting every state and documenting pieces of our heritage that today’s generations ‘know and love, but tomorrow’s generations may never see.’ Holt wrote:

My goal is twofold: To show current generations what is in danger of disappearing forever, and to show future generations how special these things were to us, in hopes that they will take the time to look around their world and embrace what is important to them. To this end, I make every effort to educate the public by giving presentations to schools, clubs, and various organizations around the United States.

When completed, the entire portfolio will be archived in the permanent collection of one of our Nation’s great institutions. I have had requests from the University of Georgia and the Smithsonian Institution about the future of my image collection.

Holt will present his 2009 work in a special presentation at Overland Expo.2010, and he will present the Overland Expedition Flag to the next winner, who will carry it forth in 2010 and 2011 . . .

Below is a video Holt took at Overland Expo.2009. View his project at www.VanishingAmerica.net