Canada-Mexico Cooperative Program on Protected Natural Areas Management

With funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) undertook the Canada-Mexico Cooperative Program in Protected Natural Areas Management in the State of Aguascalientes in Mexico from 1994 to 1995. The purpose of this program was to provide technical and organizational assistance to the Government of the State of Aguascalientes to strengthen its capacity to protect and preserve the region’s natural heritage. Through training and sharing of experiences among Canadian and Mexican professionals, government officials from Aguascalientes increased their understanding of legal and administrative processes, environmental technologies and planning and management strategies used in Canada to protect natural areas. CUI also assisted in the design and initiation of a comprehensive and integrated strategy for the management of environmentally significant areas, which was based on stakeholder support and involvement.

Funding Agency
Canadian International Development Agency (Canadian Partnership Branch)

Timeframe
1994-1995

Geographic Focus
State of Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Project Partners
In Mexico, CUI worked with the Undersecretary of Ecology of the Ministry of Social Development of the Government of Aguascalientes. In Canada, various organizations provided professional placements and participated in hosting Mexican professionals on exchange, including the City of Toronto, the Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, the Niagara Escarpment Commission, Kamloops Wildlife Park, BC Parks and Environment Canada.

back to top

Background
The key environmental problems facing the Mexican State of Aguascalientes emerged from the misuse and overuse of water and the high number of cattle grazing on the land. Vegetation and soil destruction was occurring at alarming rates. Other concerns related to the preservation of cultural heritage, protection of biodiversity, handling of solid waste and maintenance of the hydrological balance of the region. In early 1994, the State of Aguascalientes adopted its first environmental and natural resources protection standards. However, illegal exploitation of natural resources, particularly with regards to forestry and wildlife, continued to pose a serious environmental threat for the State. The Ministry of Social Development of Aguascalientes formally requested the support of CUI and CIDA in the development of a strategy for management of protected natural areas, as well as for an associated community participation process and environmental education programs.

back to top

Project Description
The purpose of this program was to provide technical and organizational assistance to the Government of Aguascalientes in order to strengthen its capacity to protect and preserve the region’s natural heritage.

Six objectives guided the program:

• To identify and address deficiencies in organizational and technical capacities of the participating Mexican organizations, specifically in areas where Canadian expertise was relevant and to share the learning experiences on a regional/national scale.
• To assess the situational context of Aguascalientes with respect to the specific development issues being addressed.
• To assist in the design and initiation of a comprehensive and integrated strategy for the management of environmentally significant areas in Aguascalientes based on substantial stakeholder support and public involvement.
• To promote the establishment of linkages between Canadian and Mexican organizations for professional and business purposes.
• To promote a broad dissemination of the program’s benefits in Mexico and Canada.
• To critically evaluate the accomplishments of the project in order to assess the impacts, transferability, level of support and assistance requirements and to design a subsequent program of technical assistance.

CUI’s initiative resulted in the following results:

• Establishment of criteria for the identification and designation of environmentally significant areas.
• To assess the situational context of Aguascalientes with respect to the specific development issues being addressed.
• Mobilization and community support for environmental protection and conservation through public awareness campaigns, public consultation mechanisms and participatory planning processes.
• Creation of a multi-stakeholder approach to strategy development and formulation of appropriate policy interventions, administrative processes and enforcement mechanisms.

back to top

Approach
The program’s objectives were achieved through a three-step process:

• Five Mexican officials participated in a study tour and professional placements in Ontario and British Columbia. The purpose of the tour/placements was to provide the Mexican delegates with information and training related to the protection of natural areas. The delegation was comprised of professionals from the Ministry of Social Development.
• Four volunteer Canadian professionals with expertise in planning, natural resources management, ecology and biology travelled to Aguascalientes for a one-month period with three objectives:
• To evaluate the needs and issues critical to the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive Protected Areas Management Strategy for Aguascalientes.
• To design a multi-stakeholder planning approach for the development of such a strategy.
• To initiate activities that would be in accordance with the selected approach.
• An on-site evaluation was conducted by CUI management staff for the purposes of designing a substantive and focused longer-term technical assistance program.