El Cielo Biosphere

The El Cielo Biosphere (Reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo in Spanish) is located in the southern part of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The biosphere protects the northernmost extension of tropical forest and cloud forest in Mexico. It has an area of 144,530 hectares (357,100 acres) (558 square miles) made up mostly of steep mountains rising from about 200 metres (660 ft) to a maximum altitude of more than 2,300 metres (7,500 ft).

The state of Tamaulipas created the biosphere in 1985. In 1987 it was recognized by UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme.

The El Cielo area attracted little attention until the 1930s. In 1935, A Canadian farmer and horticulturalist named John William Francis (Frank, Francisco, or Pancho) Harrison established a homestead he named Rancho El Cielo at 1,140 metres (3,740 ft) elevation in the cloud forest. Extensive logging and logging roads penetrated the area in the 1950s. Enthusiastic birdwatchers found their way to Harrison's small ranch and in 1965, to protect the ecosystem, Harrison transferred his land to a non-profit corporation in cooperation with Texas Southmost College and the Gorgas Science Foundation. In 1966, Harrison was murdered in a land dispute with local farmers.

Harrison's farm is now the El Cielo Biological Research Center. In 1983, the Gorgas Science Foundation established Rancho El Cielito by purchasing land along the Sabinas River, just outside the Biosphere, to preserve part of a riparian ecosystem.

The 144,530 hectares (357,100 acres) biosphere has two core areas in which most human travel and exploitation are prohibited. One of 7,844 hectares (19,380 acres) protects tropical forests; the larger core area of 28,674 hectares (70,850 acres) includes a cross section of the altitudes and climates of the biosphere, especially the cloud forest. The remainder of the biosphere is a buffer zone in which human activities, including limited logging, is permitted. Several communities within the biosphere offer facilities for visitors and are reachable by road. An ecological interpretive center is reached by paved road a few miles west of the town of Gomez Farias. The interpretive center, located at an elevation of 360 metres (1,180 ft) offers good views of the tropical forest and facilities for visitors.

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