Santa Cruz Strengthens Conservation Management with International Standards

Santa Cruz is advancing its commitment to effective conservation by participating in the first national meeting focused on the management effectiveness of protected areas. Organized by the National Service of Protected Areas (Sernap), the gathering brought together institutions and park rangers to promote international conservation standards. This initiative aligns with Santa Cruz's efforts to implement the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Green List standard.

The Green List recognizes protected and conserved areas that demonstrate effective management, fair governance, and positive results for both biodiversity and local communities. Carina Castro, director of Santa Cruz's Natural Conservation Directorate (Dicopan), highlighted the importance of this process, stating that the provincial government is actively working towards achieving international certification for its conservation areas. She emphasized that this certification validates the commitment and effectiveness of their management practices.

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The Governorate, through Dicopan, is advancing in achieving certification and obtaining this Green List. It is very important because it shows us the commitment and effectiveness of the management we have.

Natalia Araujo, manager of the Pantanal and Gran Chaco Conservation Initiative in Bolivia, praised Santa Cruz's progress in adopting the Green List standard, particularly concerning equitable governance and social participation within protected areas. The Green List criteria include social participation, planning, threat management, effective governance, and appropriate conditions for park rangers, alongside demonstrable conservation results. This international standard serves as a strategic tool to enhance protected area management, strengthen governance, foster continuous improvement, and showcase measurable outcomes for nature and communities alike.

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The Green List constitutes an international certification standard that allows recognition of the efforts of protected areas to achieve effective management and move towards better conservation practices.