Transboundary exchange to define common activities
Due to the multiple threats to the integrity of the ecosystems that are shared between Guatemala and Mexico, directors and rangers of the institutions responsible for the administration, management and protection of the respective protected areas decide to carry out exchanges. These exchanges serve to define activities that contribute to reducing existing threats. As a result of the exchanges, the implementation of binational management and conservation strategies are continuously defined in a strategic plan for control and collaborative monitoring, aimed at, among others, minimizing the illegal trafficking of flora, fauna and archaeological remnants.
Both protected areas need to recognize shared threats and be willing to tackle them under a joint vision. Both sides also need to be able to mobilize park rangers and make them feel that they are working together as equals to reduce environmental threats.
Park rangers carry important knowledge about the environmental threats. If they receive motivation to work together and exchange their knowledge they can contribute to develop effective conservation strategies. The different capacity levels and skills of park rangers from either side aid collaborative learning. Political conditions (for instance lack of legal framework) can be an obstacle to initiate the exchange and be a challenge in implementation.