Mulegena - 6-20-2009 at 11:37 PM
For Release: Jun 04, 2009
Learn more about the six focal regions within this initiative.
© Anthony B. RATH / WWF-Canon
WWF, along with the Fundación Carlos Slim and the Mexican Federal Government, has launched an initiative that aims to establish Mexico as a global
model for conservation by protecting its rich natural heritage and promoting sustainable development within six priority regions that collectively
represent 30 percent of the country.
The new alliance plans an initial investment from the Slim Foundation and other donors of US $100 million to support and significantly advance ongoing
efforts at the local, national and global levels within Mexico. This work will include efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, develop
comprehensive water management policies, strengthen civil society, develop innovative financial mechanisms, and invest in local sustainable economies.
Photo Slideshow
Image: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
© WWF
From left to right at the signing: WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts, Mexican Environment Secretary Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, Mexican
philanthropist Carlos Slim and Director of WWF-Mexico Omar Vidal
“Mexico is home to 10 percent of the Earth’s species and this wealth of diversity is important not only for Mexico’s ecosystems, but for the people
here who depend on these resources for their social, economic and physical well-being,” said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts. “This alliance
also underscores Mexico’s rising leadership in global negotiations on the design of new financial mechanisms to help developing nations confront and
adapt to climate change.”
The goal is to support biodiversity preservation in areas of exceptional natural richness. An assessment of the major issues and recommended actions
was developed based on consultation with more than 100 government and civil society experts across the selected regions: the Gulf of California,
Chihuahuan Desert, Mesoamerican Reef of Mexico, Oaxaca, Monarch Butterfly Region and Chiapas (Lacandona Forests and El Triunfo).
“Matching funds from the Slim Foundation represent the largest private financial commitment from an individual ever made in support of conservation
and sustainable development in Mexico,” said Omar Vidal, director of WWF-Mexico. “This alliance between the private sector, NGOs and government is
exactly the kind of partnership that WWF sees as the model for transforming the way we conserve our special places and balance the needs of people and
nature around the world.”
In 2009, the alliance is working in coordination with federal, state and municipal governments, civil society organizations, local communities and
academia to establish the basis for the preservation of priority protected areas within the six regions by strengthening local organizations and
communities and supporting management strategies for land and water conservation, threatened species protection and climate change adaptation.
Mulegena - 6-21-2009 at 08:16 AM
This article relates to the other WWF regarding Baja which is posted here as well. Baja is one of 6 regions selected by this collaborative effort.
Sorry, couldn't get slideshow to post.
See worldwildlife.com for more information.
BajaBruno - 6-21-2009 at 10:08 AM
This article is at: http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresite...
It has a link to the Gulf of California summary, which lists "Threats to this area include unsustainable tourist, urban and real-estate developments;
industrial, unsustainable shrimp and sardine fisheries; overexploitation and pollution of natural water sources; climate change; limited local
capacity; and limited local knowledge and valuation of natural resources."
Shark Norma 029 was not mentioned.
Woooosh - 6-21-2009 at 10:48 AM
It's a start and I am really glad to see Slim doing more. ($100 Million is almost what Bill Gates spent building his house in Seattle though)
toneart - 6-21-2009 at 11:36 AM
Thank you for finding this, Mulegena. Let's hope Carlos Slim can get some regulatory laws on the books and get some watch dogs to keep everybody
honest.
Bajahowodd - 6-21-2009 at 11:40 AM
Good news. Maybe Slim looked in the mirror and decided it was time to work on his legacy.
akmaxx - 6-21-2009 at 01:35 PM
Do you remember the brief period last March when the billboards went up in Mulege informing people of the dangers posed by the bathrooms at Burro,
Coyote, Santispac, etc?
"Cholera, Hepatitis, and so on"
The thing I thought was strange about the feds call to close the beaches was that Slim's money was behind the new mega resort in the estuary 1/2 mile
south of Coyote. Wouldn't it be prudent for an ultra-luxury resort that charges 100's or 1,000's a night to shut down the camping that costs 8 bucks
a night right next door?
I would like to see him put money into "protecting the environment" in places where he doesn't, coincidentally, have a resort going in.
Any ideas on this?