NPS signs Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for Wilderness Conservation
National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 30, 2009
Contact: David Barna (202) 208-6843
Wade Vagias (202) 513-7124
NPS signs Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for Wilderness Conservation
WASHINGTON – International wilderness conservation received a major boost on November 7th at the World Wilderness Congress in Merida, Mexico.
Representatives from Mexico, Canada, and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) creating a framework for future cooperation and coordination between the three nations for wilderness conservation.
“This is a historic moment for the National Park Service and one that is long overdue” said Jon Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service.
“Wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for increasing our understanding of global climate change, ecosystem adaptation and resiliency. As some of the least manipulated environments left, wilderness provides connectivity and wildlife migration corridors amongst other values. This MOU reaffirms the National Park Services’ commitment to conservation and we look forward to moving forward with our two closest neighbors and other federal partners on implementing this framework.”
The MOU provides for the development of an intergovernmental committee that is comprised of agency heads or their designated representative to facilitate collaboration. Topics of mutual interest include examining wilderness conservation and management with a special concern for understanding climate change, fire, and invasive species as well as exploring broader trans-boundary conservation initiatives.
For additional information, contact Karen Taylor-Goodrich, Associate Director of Visitor and Resource Protection, at Karen_Taylor-Goodrich@nps.gov or (202) 565-1020.
