Non-formal education for trans-boundary cooperation in natural and cultural resource management: Designing an international training program for park managers at protected areas in the United States and Mexico border region.

摘要

This study addressed key issues, concerns, factors, and educational themes from U.S.-Mexico protected area managers involved in trans-boundary cooperation for the management of shared natural and cultural resources. An ultimate goal of the study was to provide direction for the development of a non-formal international training program to empower protected area managers to seek more effective collaborative approaches for natural and cultural resources management in the border region.;A phenomenological approach was used to gain an understanding of the meaning of events from people in their work situations. The research instrument used was the focus group interview. The focus group method was chosen because it allows for in-depth information gathering from the subjects regarding the research topic.;A total of 18 individuals from both countries participated in the study. The groups included park superintendents, law enforcement rangers, resource management specialists, park interpreters, anthropologists, archeologists, and central office administrators. Two participants represented non-governmental groups involved in natural and cultural resource management.;There was a general understanding among the participants that educational, political, social, and economic differences exist between the U.S. and Mexico. The key ideas derived from the interviews included a need for the following: (a) greater understanding of the environmental, conservation, political, and educational issues of both nations, (b) greater understanding that U.S.-Mexico collaboration is based on shared heritage, vision, and interests, (c) U.S.-Mexico collaboration because of the shared political boundary that intersects distinct societies and shared resources, (d) understanding why there is a strong emphasis on law enforcement issues and activities along the border region and less emphasis on resource management, (e) learning to trust and respect each others' worldviews, opinions, needs, and positions, (f) development of new and/or continuation of existing training programs for protected area personnel in both countries, (g) greater understanding of U.S.-Mexico conservation agencies and their conservation ethic, policies, and regulations of each country, (h) better bi-national collaboration and planning of conservation programs and projects, (i) better understanding of the shared U.S.-Mexico border region, and (j) development of specialized educational courses on cultural awareness and sensitivity.;Participants expressed the need to understand and work with existing U.S.-Mexico differences to establish better work relationships and effective decision making on issues of mutual interest in natural and cultural resource management.