Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) teamed up with the U.S. National Park Service this week to sign a sister park agreement on Tuesday between the Osa Conservation Area, in the Southern Zone, and the national parks of the upper Midwest of the United States.
Under the arrangement, both institutions agree to work together to promote and support cooperation to obtain mutual benefits for their parks and protected areas. It also aims to “enrich the experience and training” of staff who work at these sites through projects and other cooperation initiatives.
Emergency response, language training in English and Spanish, strategic planning, local community relationships management, education for park visitors, park facilities maintenance and environmental education in local schools are among the areas the two institutions will cover.
“This agreement looks to promote the development of education programs, encourage local community participation, as well as the creation of a communication network between parks with emphasis on migratory birds, habitat restoration and aquatic resources,” SINAC Executive Director Rafael Gutiérrez said.
“This is very fertile ground for us; this is a rich place for partnerships, and working together we can certainly make a better place,” added Christopher Stain, superintendent of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, in the U.S.
The parks and protected areas includes in the arrangement are:
For the U.S. National Park Service:
1. St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
2. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
3. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
4. Voyageurs National Park
5. Grand Portage National Monument
6. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
7. Isle Royale National Park
8. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
9. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
10. Effigy Mounds National Monument
11. Ice Age National Scenic Trail
12. Keweenaw National Historical Park
13. Pipestone National Monument
14. Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring Network
For Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation Areas:
1. Corcovado National Park
2. Marino Ballena National Park
3. Piedras Blancas National Park
4. Térraba Sierpe National Wetlands
5. Golfito Wildlife Refuge
6. Isla del Caño Biologicial Reserve
7. Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve
