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![]() Archives Wetlands and Coastal Zones Bulletin Volume 1, No. 2 Technical Communiqués Projects in Central America Wetlands Work Groups in Mesoamerica ![]() One of the principal fields of action of the IUCN-ORMA Wetlands and Coastal Zones Conservation Program for Mesoamerica is the identification of conservation priorities for these ecosystems. The IUCNs policy is to work closely with national specialists so that the program will respond more appropriately to the needs of countries in the region.
One of the principal fields of action of the IUCN-ORMA Wetlands and Coastal Zones Conservation Program for Mesoamerica is the identification of conservation priorities for these ecosystems. The IUCNs policy is to work closely with national specialists so that the program will respond more appropriately to the needs of countries in the region. To make this possible, the program is fomenting wetlands and coastal zones work groups, which have the following characteristics:
Currently there are four work groups functioning in the region, one each in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica they have held workshops to define priorities. Nicaragua and Costa Rica now have work plans approved and supported by the wetlands and coastal zones program. Nicaraguas group has been particularly dynamic, and it has the largest number of participants, divided into subgroups for the countrys different regions. The group is currently working on a directory of wetlands and coastal zone specialists in Nicaragua. In addition, it is updating a diagnostic profile and classification of national wetlands. In Costa Rica, the work group is looking forward to the 7th meeting of Ramsar signatories in may 1999, and during the last few days of November 1998 will be holding a forum on the major opportunities and threats to these ecosystems in their country. The group is also in the process of bringing out a publication on wetlands. El Salvador's groups is collaborating closely with the IUCN national members committee to organize a meeting on work priorities in the country. Around 30 persons with experience in wetlands and coastal zones are expected to attend the meeting. At the end of this year the wetlands program will be holding priorities workshops in the remaining countries (Honduras, Belize and Panamá) in order to strengthen these working groups. CONGRATULATIONS TO NICARAGUAS WORK GROUP FOR BEING THE MOST ACTIVE IN THE REGION
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