Seminar: Binational Natural Resource Conservation

Community Engagement Program Manager, Sky Island Alliance

ABSTRACT: National parks and reserves along the US-Mexico border in Sonora, Baja California, and the southwestern United States share and protect a rich biological diversity with common threats and conservation goals. Through a collaboration between Sky Island Alliance, National Park Service, Sonoran Joint Venture and the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) in Mexico, the Sister Parks project was created in 2014 to understand and address loss of biodiversity. This project facilitates collaboration between park staff and resource managers from Mexico and the US to develop a strong international partnership that allows for collaborative monitoring and protection of biological diversity all throughout the binational region. We are now expanding our project objectives to include spring assessments, and outreach and education activities.