Around the World - Latin America and Caribbean

Los Glaciares National Park in
Argentina. Photo:
UNESCO World Heritage Centre

ARGENTINA

In 1997, the National Park Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Argentine National Parks Administration (APN) authorizing a five-year program of technical exchange and cooperation. The goal of the technical exchange program is to build the capacity of both agencies for excellence in the management of national parks. The NPS and APN agreed to renew the agreement for another five years in December 2002. Recently completed and/or planned activities for the next several years include:

Training workshop in NPS concessions management law and policy
Training workshop in volunteer management
Joint workshop on park ranger training and development
Workshops on sustainable park management
Joint seminar on natural resource protection and management in national parks

CHILE

In January 2000, the National Park Service signed a bilateral agreement with Chile's National Forest Corporation (CONAF), the government agency that manages the Chilean national park system. The agreement authorizes a five-year program of technical exchange and cooperation in the protection and management of national parks and other protected natural areas. A two year work plan was signed by both parties in September 2002. Planned and accomplished activities include:

A workshop in Chile on NPS planning procedures
Training workshop on the development of environmental education programs in national parks
A study tour of U.S. national parks of the Pacific northwest
Placement of 3 to 4 CONAF employees at U.S. national parks through the International Volunteers in Parks Program

VENEZUELA

In 1997, the National Park Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Venezuela's National Institute for Parks (INPARQUES) which authorizes a program of technical exchange and cooperation. The MOU was renewed for another five years in 2002. The goal of the technical exchange program is to assist INPARQUES to better protect Venezuela's rich biological diversity and improve opportunities for eco-tourism. Recent projects have included workshops on concessions management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

BAHAMAS

The National Park Service has been working with the Bahamas National Trust since the Trust's founding in 1959. In 2003, the NPS began working with the Trust in the development of management plans for Bahamas national parks and protected areas.
National Trust of the Bahamas

THE PARK FLIGHT MIGRATORY BIRD PROGRAM

Realizing that protection of migratory species requires international cooperation, the National Park Service, along with the National Park Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, American Airlines, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the University of Arizona, developed the Park Flight program to enhance bird conservation and education programs in national parks and other protected areas in the United States and Latin America. More information can be found on the Park Flight web page.

CANON NATIONAL PARKS SCIENCE SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOR THE AMERICAS

This scholarship opportunity has now been expanded to include students pursuing Ph.Ds related to national parks throughout the Western Hemisphere. For more information, click here.

TWO NPS PARK MANAGEMENT TRAINING MANUALS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH ON-LINE

Two National Park Service training manuals are now available on-line in Spanish. They are the Manual Para la Capacitacion del Personal de Areas Protegidas, and Mejorando Nuestra Abilidad de Capacitar.

See also the Sister Parks page for more projects with Latin America and the Caribbean.

Related Links

Regional

Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere

Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) in the Wider Caribbean Region

National Parks of Central America

Science for the Conservation of Coral Reefs

ParksWatch

Parks in Peril

By Country