The large number of fires we witnessed within the park boundaries recently surely must have been responsible for all the nation's airports being shutdown, stifling businesses across the country. Most of this indiscriminate burning is done for the sake of increasing pasture land for cattle grazing. Another area that needs immediate attention is the open logging that takes place daily in the park. Even on the most remote jungle mountain tops, you find stacks of mahogany, sometimes abandoned.

Some of the trees we've seen cut have curious markings.
It is SEPHs premise that by informing the public of the fragility of the biosphere, friendly pressure will be placed on those responsible for it's protection. By showing the beauty of the area, especially the rivers, I hope to increase responsible planned ecotourism, and to help with the development of Honduras's budding ecotourism operators. River rafting is an example of an Eco-sound under developed industry for the area.
As with BRPs thinking, we agree that by training residents living in the park, or on borders, the simple skills involved in tourism industry, it can perhaps help take the machetes and Stihl chainsaws out of the hands of the young, maybe to be replaced with wildlife reference guidebooks.

What do we hope to include in the film? Plenty. While the primary topic will be attempting to prove or disprove several SEPH hypotheses regarding the ancient civilization responsible for building the cities in the area, much of the film will be directed at showing the flora and fauna of the area.

When ever a scholarly expedition has been mounted to the area, new species are often documented. The biosphere has probably 2000 vascular plant species. We plan to attempt to capture on film many of the mammals that are globally rare or threatened. We plan to highlight the manatee, and hope to show the margay, peccaries, tapir, giant anteater, ocelot, cougar, jaguarundi and, of course, the monkeys. The birds and butterflies are also a highlight of the area. With over 270 bird species that live or drop into the area, the biosphere still boasts an incredible assortment of wildlife.

We plan to include visits to several different ethnic communities, and brief interviews with families of the Tawahka, the Pech/Paya, the Miskitos, the Ladinos and the Garifuna on the coast. We also will discuss some facts about a potential Dam on the Rio Patuca, while floating down the river.

Who is slated to work on this film? While financing remains exclusive, we will be ready to start shooting with the next opportunity in the weather, grab that farmers almanac!

We met several of the most knowledgeable guides to the area, of which there are very few. One such top guide is Jorge Salaverri.

Jorge knows the bush and rivers as well as anyone. He was born on the Rio Coco and has spent much of his life traveling the area. As owner operator of one of the most highly regarded tour companies that visit this region (La Moskitia Ecoaventuras in La Ceiba), he has rafted down all the main rivers and many of the tributaries. As with many others slated to work on this film, he will only be involved with the film after the project receives full approval by BRP, IHAH, MOPOWI, and the several other Honduran organizations that work to protect the area.

As to on screen talent, we would like to use a young, intelligent, curious lad to pose questions to the experts in several fields we plan to recruit to join us. Ben Peterson, an early SEPH volunteer, just happens to fit the bill.

Ben is sitting at the head of the table in this out of focus shot of a very informal after hours SEPH gathering. In attendance were representatives from MOPAWI, Ecosystems, IHAH, as well as the press and a surprise visit by VICA Channel 9. We met Ben while he was visiting Central American archaeological sites by himself on a long holiday.  When he learned of the project he insisted on his involvement. We look forward to utilizing Ben's well groomed talents as narrator for our pending expedition.

Both Tonys currently reside in Miami. Both are bilingual, fit and have many hours behind a camera. Tony Barrado on the left currently works at the broadcasting location of Discovery Channel's Latin American headquarters in Miami. He also teaches Tae Kwon Do. The other Tony is also a still photographer. Also helping in many logistical areas is Jesus Lesmes

Jesus is a producer of many talents. He is also on the board of directors of the NGO Collectivartes as well as Communica. He has worked as the producer for the well known Honduran Musician Guillermo Anderson, and collects native Indian musical instruments. This SEPH volunteer's talents are highly appreciated.

Music is always a huge part of any successful film undertaking, and an area SEPH has not neglected. The coordinator for handling the several sources of music, and arranging for quality recording is no stranger to Honduras.

Ron Nethercut is a professional musician. His band, the Jazz Professors, out of New Orleans, played recently in La Ceiba, Honduras at Carnival. He is the general manager of KSLU public radio in Hammond, Louisiana, and often comes to Honduras to donate instruments and teach at the conservatory of music, as well as many other Honduran institutions. Through his travels, philanthropy, and DJ jobs, he has his finger on the pulse of the beat of Honduras as well as knowing the ever-so-important music connections. Ron comes to SEPH overloaded with qualifications. Background mood music when not relying on the ubiquitous jungle soundtrack, is an important consideration for a world class documentary. Fortunately, we were able to fill the bill perfectly.

Igor came from Russia to his new home in Honduras. He was  interested in the music of the Indians and set about recording as much as he could on site in the villages. On a demo tape he presented to me, he would play his guitar for about five minutes with the exact notes and timing of the Tawahka Indians. Then he would add his own style. It sounds brilliant and Igor will no doubt be working on a large part of the soundtrack with his many different indigenous peoples' styles.

We do plan to get field recordings of the actual natives of the area with DAT recorders.

No national film project could be complete without the moving score of a full symphony. Who better to work on a project of national pride than the National Symphony of Honduras?