Considering its mission to disseminate knowledge on the subject and its experience in creating and managing sub-networks of subnational governments, ICLEI South America launched the Local Protected Areas thematic sub-network. The initiative is open to subnational governments engaged in and/or interested in biodiversity issues, focusing on local protected areas and other conservation measures, and aims to provide tools to improve the management of protected areas.

Conceived within the context of the regional project. Protected areas and other area-based conservation measures at the local government level., Implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the sub-network aims to provide continuity to the connections and learnings generated during the four years of the project, multiplying the learning in conservation and preservation of biodiversity.

“Cooperation is an intentional political decision that involves work. ICLEI, by putting forward a methodology to stimulate more well-defined cooperation, is thinking about the three phases of cooperation: preparation, the exchange itself, and monitoring the results,” says Rodrigo Perpétuo, executive secretary of ICLEI South America.

On August 31st, the Local Protected Areas thematic sub-network held a webinar on the Methodology for Cooperation between Local Governments as one of its first activities. The webinar aimed to strengthen the thematic sub-network, reinforce the importance of local protected areas and other conservation measures in the current context, and promote the sharing of best practices among governments regarding the Methodology for Cooperation between Local Governments.

For Álvaro Vallejo, director of IUCN South America, local protected areas are an important point of contact for biodiversity conservation, society, and governments. "In an increasingly globalized and urban world, it is very important to maintain the connection between urban society and natural ecosystems," he states.

“"We at the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GIZ) We understand that the contributions of local governments to biodiversity conservation are very important and of international relevance. The coordination between subnational and national governments is a very positive way to intensify efforts to achieve the Aichi Targets,” highlights María Olatz, director of the Local Protected Areas project.

“Having a healthy environment is a constitutional obligation that falls to the public authorities, and therefore to the executive, legislative and even judicial branches at all three levels, and also to the collective. It is our right, but also our duty, to care for well-being through the conservation of nature,” explains Cláudio Maretti, vice-president of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.

The meeting also included the participation of representatives from the cities of São Leopoldo (RS) and João Pessoa (PB), participants in the Cooperation Cycle.

“It was a very interesting experience and we grew a lot in this process. The exchange of experiences with João Pessoa was very valuable. The entire matrix mechanism chosen was very constructive. The joint journey taught us a great deal,” comments Joel Dias, director of planning and environmental management at the Municipal Secretariat of the Environment of São Leopoldo.

For Arturo Dias, head of the division of Conservation Units Regarding the parks of the Municipal Secretariat of the Environment of João Pessoa: “When we talk about protected areas, there are similarities and differences between each city and its local aspects. Knowing what São Leopoldo has accomplished made us think beyond and differentiated our planning and actions,” he stated.

Check out the full text 1st Webinar of the Local Protected Areas Thematic Sub-Network on the ICLEI South America YouTube channel.