Conservationists have long been aware that political boundaries rarely coincide with natural boundaries. From the establishment of early 鈥減eace parks鈥� 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 鈥渃onservation effectiveness鈥� 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.
Charles C. Chester teaches at Brandeis University and the Fletcher School at Tufts University with a focus on global environmental politics. He is currently editing a volume on climate change and landscape-scale biodiversity conservation, and is working with The Nature Conservancy to integrate two online resources on climate change and conservation. He has consulted for the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and has served on the boards of Bat Conservation International and Root Capital. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Board of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.
"...will benefit those interested in environmental efforts, organizational development, and international cooperation between citizens of different countries."鈥�CHOICE
"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."鈥�Midwest Book Review
"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."鈥�Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation
"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."鈥擳homas Lovejoy, president, The Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment
"When it comes to the complex world of large landscape conservation, we must look to the past for lessons while striving ahead. This book helps us do that."鈥擬ary Granskou, Wildlands Project, director, Ottawa, Canada
