MEXICO CREATES THEIR FIRST 'CONSERVATION AUTHORITY'
For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2008
Mexico creates their first Conservation Authority February 4, 2008 - Mexico has just created a community-based watershed management agency that is modeled after Ontario's Conservation Authorities. It is the first of its kind in that country.
Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has been participating since 1996, with the University of Guelph in programs that promoted the concepts of watershed management and restoration in Mexico. In November 2001, the CVC Board of Directors hosted a visiting delegation of several Municipal Presidents from the Ayuquila Watershed. This was a very productive tour and training opportunity that enhanced the partnership between the municipalities within the Ayuquila. In October 2004, following an election, the new Municipal Presidents had a similar visit with CVC.
Once again these mayors had the opportunity to meet the CVC Board of Directors and several staff as well as visit key sites within the watershed. This trip helped further the partnerships between the Credit and the Ayuquila and between the municipalities within the Ayuquila Watershed. Due to its success, the number of municipalities participating within the Ayuquila Watershed initiative grew from eight to ten. In May, following elections in 2007, a third visit to the Credit Watershed with the new municipal presidents took place to continue encouraging the development of watershed management programs in Mexico.
To further support these efforts in Mexico, at the May 11, 2007 meeting of the CVC Board of Directors, a letter of intent was signed as reaffirming the partnership.
In early December, a major announcement took place in Guadalajara, the capital of the State of Jalisco. Through formal legislation, the State created the first municipally-based watershed management agency in Mexico for the Ayuquila River Watershed (the Mexican version of the Conservation Authorities Act). This agency was based on Credit Valley Conservation.
Pat Mullin, Chair of the CVC Board of Directors stated "This incredible accomplishment is a result of the significant commitments made by the municipal leaders, and many others over more than eleven years. We at the CVC are immensely proud of this precedent setting milestone in the development of community-based watershed management in Mexico."
The good news was shared with the CVC Board on January 18th. "The people of the Ayuquila Watershed will benefit from their determination and vision for generations to come" stated Chair Mullin.
The Ayuquila River Watershed covers almost 9,800 km2, within the States of Jalisco and Colima in south-central Mexico. Mexico's federal government considers it among the 15 most important rivers in the Pacific drainage basin and one of the country's priority biodiversity conservation areas. It is important in providing drinking water to a population of close to 500,000 inhabitants, irrigating over 30,000 ha of productive agricultural lands and harboring three major natural protected areas.
Conservation Authorities are a provincial/ municipal partnership. The CVC was established by an Act of the province in 1954 with a mandate to protect all natural resources other than minerals in the area drained by the Credit River. We have been working for over 50 years with our partner municipalities and stakeholders to protect and enhance the natural environment of the Credit River Watershed for present and future generations.
For more details contact either:
Mike Puddister
Director, Restoration and Stewardship
Credit Valley Conservation
905-670-1615
Or
Bernadette Fernandez,
Marketing & Communications Specialist
905-670-1615 ext 240
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