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AMIGOS DE SIAN KA´AN
Is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation established in June 5 of 1986, by a group of scientists and conservationists, currently based in Cancún, Quintana Roo, México.
OUR MISSION
The conservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of ecological processes for the well-being of present and future generations.
GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE OF WORK
Amigos de Sian Ka´an focuses its efforts within the state of Quintana Roo, in particular, the Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve, as well as collaborates with regional and international partners throughout the Mesoamerican region.
OBJECTIVES
- Identify, protect
and manage areas with high biodiversity value, as well as those essential
for the maintenance of ecological processes, and those critical for
the maintenance of the life cycles of endangered, threatened and migratory
species.
- Generate tools
and models, both biologically and policy based, to implement alternative
resource and site conservation management options compatible with
sustainable development.
- Provide training
and environmental education, as well as develop commercialisation
opportunities, to the different sectors of our society that will result
in a sustainable use of the natural resources.
- Collaborate
with and assist international organisations, federal, state and municipal
governments, the private sector, local communities, other NGO´s,
research and education institutions and individuals in achieving the
above-mentioned objectives.
- Develop an efficient and modern organisation capable of successfully carrying out its mission and objectives.
VALUES
The guiding principles that drive the members of our organisation are moral integrity, social responsibility and equity.
OPERATION POLICY
· Amigos de Sian Ka´an bases its conservation actions on scientific and technical information, on the planning and development of environmental policies as well as on the proposition of viable solutions for sustainable development.
· Amigos de Sian Ka´an does not use public confrontation as a working tool and is not associated to any political party, religious organisation or activist group.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- The establishment
and the development of management programs for seven protected areas,
the reefs of Banco Chinchorro, Cancun, Cozumel, Xcalac and Sian Ka´an;
the island of Contoy and the wetlands of Uaymil, covering over 780,000
acres;
- conducted research
and identified seven additional areas for legal protection;
- developed the
environmental zoning program for the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve;
- participated
in the environmental zoning programs for the Mayan Riviera and Costa
Maya;
- published over
40 educational conservation books, journals, manuals and pamphlets
for students, researchers, resource users, developers, and tourists;
- provided technical
assistance and training for dozens of Mayan communities and others
working on fisheries, ecotourism guiding, bird watching, handicrafts,
wildlife use, English language courses, and traditional medicine;
- promoted and developed several regional and international alliances for conservation and management.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
- First Place on
the Literature Prize "Ricardo Mimenza Castillo",
1994 for the publication of the book Los Ecosistemas de la Península
de Yucatán by Juan José Morales. Otorgado por el Gobierno
del Estado y el Instituto de Cultura de Yucatán;
- Condé
Nast Traveler Award 1996. In honour to its compromise on the ecological
sound planning and sustainable use of natural resources;
- Henry Prize,
1997 awarded to Amigos de Sian Ka'an and The Nature Conservancy
for the "International initiative for the conservation of the
Coral Reefs";
- Recognition,
2000 to Amigos de Sian Ka´an for its valuable collaboration
in the development of the Natural Protected Areas Program 1995-2000.
Awarded by the Secretary of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries
(SEMARNAP) M. en C. Julia Carabias Lilo and the Director of the Comisión
Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP). Biol. Javier De La
Maza Elvira;
- Recognition,
2001 in support for the Conservation of Cozumel Reefs National
Park -awarded by Biol.. Elvira Carvajal Secretaría del
Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Pesca -SEMARNAP;
- Recognition,
2002 to Amigos the Sian Ka´an for its Conservation Efforts
in the state of Quintana Roo, Cancunissimo Magazine.