US/Mexico
International Park
An International Park between the U.S. and
Mexico in the Big Bend area of Texas, Chihuahua and Coahuila was first
proposed in 1935.
A series of meetings between government officials from both
countries led both Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt of the US and
President Manual Camancho Avila of Mexico to promote the concept to
their respective governments. The project was interrupted by the onset
of World War II and over the past 60 years the dream of an international
park has lived on.
This beautiful mountain region in the steep walled
canyon country of the Rio Grande, is a place where people from around the
world will be able to learn about our cultures and the natural world we
share.
There
is no better place on the North American continent to demonstrate the
conservation commitment shared by the US and Mexico.
Here in the wild canyon country of the Rio Grande, the
borders of Texas, Coahuila, and Chihuahua meet in
one of the wildest wilderness places left in the Western Hemisphere.
We encourage you to take action today in support of this long
overdue effort. Every
action you take will make a difference.
Background
Fifty years after the creation of Big Bend National Park in Texas in
1944 the government of Mexico designated the Maderas del Carmen
Protected Area in Coahuila and the Canon de Santa Elenta Protected Area
in Chihuahua in 1994.
In 1997 both governments signed a Letter of Intent calling for
increased cooperation between all the protected areas and on both sides
of the Rio Grande. Now that we have all the potential Peace Park land
areas protected, the Letter of Intent helps to pave the way for the
designation of the long proposed International Park. Legislation
is needed now to combine all three areas into an International
Park while respecting each countries sovereignty and management
authority.
The dream was rekindled and brought back into the public spotlight
when in 1997
Rotarians from Mexico and the US
agreed to work towards the project's completion. Their efforts
have resulted in new widespread media attention including the
endorsement of a number of non-profit conservation groups and government
officials from both countries.
A US/Mexico International Park will:
(1) help to call
international attention to the transboundary protected areas in Texas,
Coahuila and Chihuahua and the
need to promote the long term protection of the region's fascinating
flora and fauna including a number of rare and endangered species,
(2) become a permanent monument and
symbol of friendship between the US and Mexico, one that President Roosevelt
said would celebrate the friendship between the two countries and be a
meeting ground where the people of both countries and citizens from all
parts of the world could come together to learn about each others
culture while coming to better understand the natural world that they
all share.
(3)
help to call attention to the needs of people living in
rural areas of the region who live without adequate running water, electricity, sanitation and
educational opportunities. The people living in the area can not be
expected to support the long term protection of the region if their
needs are not taken care of.
How you can help:
1.Write a letter to the President of Mexico and or the
United States asking for their support of a US/Mexico International Peace Park.
Tell them why you feel it is important to create the park.
George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D. C. 20500
Vincente Fox
Presidential Constitutional de los Estados Unidos Mexicano
Presidential Official de lo Pinos
Mexico, D.F. 11850
2. If you are a member of an organization or are employed by a
small or large business ask your fellow members or co-workers to send
a resolution or a joint letter of support for the park to the President
of either or both countries.
3. Share this information with others
including your local media.
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