In a changing and globalized world, the search for economic alternatives is imperative for development and even for the survival of the people and their culture, in a healthy environment. In his book “Alternative Community Development in the Maya Forest ” Julio Moure reflects on work done in the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an and the biological corridor Sian Ka’an – Calakmul. He tackles the challenge of how to combine scientific knowledge and indigenous environmental knowledge, in a scheme that respects the natural ecosystems and meets basic human needs.