LINK - 0-3309-3313.htm

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and SECRETARIAT OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND ECOLOGY, UNITED MEXICAN STATES on Cooperation in Management and Protection of National Parks and Other Protected Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites

Memorandum of Understanding between the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior of the United States of America and the Directorate General for Ecological Conservation of the Natural Resources of the Secretariat of Urban Development and Ecology of the United Mexican States for collaboration in the conservation and management of protected natural areas and cultural heritage resources; the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior of the United States of America, hereinafter referred to as ‘USNPS’, and the Directorate General for Ecological Conservation of Natural Resources of the Secretariat of Urban Development and Ecology of the United Mexican States, hereinafter referred to as ‘D.G.C.E.R.N.’:

Recognizing the advanced cooperation that exists between USNPS and D.G.C.E.R.N., hereinafter referred to as the ‘Parties’, in the rational use and management of natural resources and the establishment and conservation of protected national areas that are their natural and cultural heritage;

Noting the mutual interest in the establishment and management of national parks and protected areas, that may be close or contiguous to the border, with the purpose of conserving ecosystems and promoting natural and cultural tourism;

Recognizing the advantages of facilitating, coordinating and amplifying efforts in conservation, management, development and research of natural and cultural resources in protected areas of mutual interest to both countries;

Recognizing the mutual interest in strengthening cooperation between the Parties in the exchange of information and informal education activities for the management and operation of parks;

Noting the mutual objectives and interests of the Parties declared in the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere of October 12, 1940; the Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation Between the United States of America and the United States of Mexico of June 15, 1972; the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of November 16, 1972; the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region of March 24, 1983; and, the Agreement on Cooperation for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment in the Border Area of August 14, 1983;

Recognizing that the conservation policy in force in Mexico contemplates working in coordination and consultation with rural communities to conserve and rationally use and sustain natural areas and their resources, in a fashion that guarantees the preservation of biological diversity and the equilibrium of ecosystems, while at the same time allowing for integrated rural development;

Recognizing that the park policy in force in the U.S. is to conserve the scenery and the natural and cultural resources and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations while, at the same time, expand the role and involvement of citizens and groups in achieving the mission of USNPS and ensuring relationships with those whose lives and traditional practices are affected are considered in planning and management;

Recognizing that the biological diversity found in the two countries and the demographic pressure on natural areas and resources requires the implementation of conservation strategies and techniques unique to each country, seek, nonetheless, the joint development of appropriate strategies that support the maintenance and restoration of biodiversity in both countries, including those regarding the reintroduction of shared indigenous species extirpated in the respective national parks of the United States and Mexico;

The Parties hereby agree to cooperate as set forth in this memorandum:

LINK - 0-3309-3313.htm