The vascular epiphyte synusia of Guamuhaya range comprise 271 species, 88 genera and 23 plant families. Although local people popularly use epiphytes as ornamentals important gaps in local knowledge was identified as a barrier for conservation success. The over exploitation of some populations and species for commercial purposes, represent a cause of decline for many species. The trade of these plants in the local touristic market of Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, without a sustainable approach was identified as a risk to the conservation of epiphytes.

The present proposal has three main goals:

(1) to assess the current local knowledge on vascular epiphytes through direct interviews,

(2) production of didactic material and organization of environmental education activities promoting knowledge and sustainable use of vascular epiphytes,

(3) development of an epiphyte Garden to foster local development.

The existence of a sound scientific knowledge and the collaboration of experts will be a powerful tool to accomplish these objectives. Based on informal interviews to local people we will diagnose the extent and quality of knowledge on vascular epiphytes and their uses. To fill up the gaps in the knowledge we will compile information on taxonomy, distribution, uses and culture of vascular epiphytes from different sources. Based on this information, a series of didactic materials using popular language will be produced and published to capacitance local people. In order to promote the sustainable use of these plants we will design and develop a Vascular Epiphyte Popular Garden in “Community La 23”, Sancti Spiritus, close to the touristic city Trinidad, the main receptive market of the plants over collected from natural forests in Guamuhaya Mountains. The garden will be a place of reference for the organic culture of these plants, where peasants of several communities of Guamuhaya massif will be capacitance on the sustainable use of these valuable ornamental plants.

This pilot project is focused on women to promote the culture of ornamental plants as a new job source according to the local development strategies of the community. The learned lessons of this proposal will be divulged in different local communication spaces like radio and newspapers. After the completion of the project we expect that locals and technical personnel recognize vascular epiphytes as important biodiversity and cultural value of their region and use them in a sustainable way, harmonizing economic benefits and conservation of these plants and the associated biodiversity.