Conservation Across Borders: Biodiversity in an Interdependent World

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.