Conservationists have long been aware that political
boundaries rarely coincide with natural boundaries.
From the establishment of early "peace parks"to the
designation of continental migratory pathways, a
wide range of transborder mechanisms to protect
biodiversity have been established by conservationists
in both the public and private sectors.
Conservation Across Borders presents a broad
overview of the history of transboundary conservation
efforts and an accessible introduction to current issues surrounding
the subject. Through detailed examinations of two initiatives, the
International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA) and the Yellowstone to
Yukon Initiative (Y2Y), the book helps readers understand the benefits
and challenges of landscape-scale protection.
In addition to discussing general concepts and the specific experience
of ISDA and Y2Y, the author considers the emerging concept of "conservation
effectiveness" and offers a comparative analysis of the two
projects. The book ends with a discussion of the complex relationships
among civil society, governments, and international borders.
By considering the history, goals, successes, and failures of two divergent
initiatives, the book offers important insights into the field of
transborder conservation along with valuable lessons for those studying
or working in the field.
Conservation Across Borders: Biodiversity In An Interdependent World by Charles C. Chester (Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Fletcher School at Tuffs University) broadly chronicles the history of environmental conservation movements that have extended past the borders of nations. In particular, Conservation Across Borders focuses upon the International Sonoran Desert Alliance and the Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative as case studies to help the reader understand the unique challenges of coordinating landscape-scale protective efforts. The final chapter makes a bold contribution to the newly evolving field of "conservation effectiveness", and the lessons that can be learned from modern history. Written with scholarly precision yet accessible to lay readers as well as environmental activists, Conservation Across Borders is strongly recommended reading especially for anyone involved in a large-scale environmental movement, so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
-James Cox
"For any conservation practitioner it is valuable to find people like Chester who devote a significant portion of their time and intellect carefully documenting, synthesizing, and contrasting major conservation efforts around the world. They help to keep them alive and continue to grow."
-Jon Paul Rodriguez
"Conservation Across Borders is a profound book—revealing that what seems a nice idea, indeed on further thought a fundamental idea for a sustainable future, is in fact based on a complex and dynamic reality. No conservation practitioner can afford to be without it. A marvelous achievement, destined to be a conservation classic." —Thomas Lovejoy, president, The Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment
-Thomas Lovejoy
"When it comes to the complex world of large landscape conservation, we
-Mary Granskou
"...will benefit those interested in environmental efforts, organizational development, and international cooperation between citizens of different countries...Summing up: Recommended."
-W. Ouderkirk