Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. have a history of working cooperatively for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. Now the extension of that cooperation to a broader range of species is being made easier by the establishment of The Canada / Mexico / United States Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management, through a Memorandum of Understanding among the three countries.
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The Trilateral Committee provides a forum for discussions among the senior members of the wildlife agencies in the three countries. All federal issues pertaining to the conservation of North American wildlife species and the ecosystems on which they depend can thus be brought to one table. Working Tables of the Committee develop, implement, review and coordinate specific cooperative conservation projects and programs. These projects and programs are integrated into the conservation priorities of the country in which they take place. |
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There are important international treaties and conventions that provide for cooperation on the conservation of species, such as the Canadian Biodiversity Information Network, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Ramsar Convention. The Trilateral Committee will assure an efficient and effective intervention by the Canadian Wildlife Service in the implementation of such treaties.
The Trilateral Committee replaced earlier bilateral arrangements among the countries. The trilateral concept emerged in discussions to involve Mexico in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP). As an alternative, Mexico drafted a Memorandum of Understanding to create a "Tripartite Committee" among the countries, which was signed by all three in 1988. The goal of this committee was to develop and design conservation strategies for migratory birds and their habitats. After Mexico became a full partner in NAWMP (in 1994), the role of the Tripartite Committee was less clear. The Canadian Wildlife Service suggested revising it with a broader mandate covering all wildlife and its habitat. The new name, the Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management, reflects this broader mandate.
For more information, contact:
Steve Wendt
Chief, Migratory Birds Conservation Division
Canadian Wildlife Service HQ
Environment Canada
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0H3
Tel: 819 953-1422
Fax: 819 994-4445
Steve.Wendt@ec.gc.ca
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Visit the Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management site.
