This page was last updated May 4, 2008
Projects > Private Parks, Ranches and Reserves
Over the last 20 years, a wide variety of privately-owned parks, ranches, and reserves have been created in a number of countries that parallel, supplement, and, in some instances, conflict with national parks systems. With national parks typically being under-funded, the growth of these private parks has generally been viewed by governments, environmental NGOs, and the tourism industry as a positive effort to put more land under conservation, to provide often high quality conservation and protection, and to offer ecotourism attractions and accommodations. A variety of government policies have facilitated and directed the creation of private parks. However, the increasing flow of tourism dollars, as well as of funds and scientific support form international environmental organizations, to private parks also presents challenges for governments and managers of state protected areas. These include questions around how private parks/ranches and reserves fit into government strategies for well-planned and integrated park systems that sustainably project ecosystems and preserve biodiversity. Private parks may also siphon tourists and revenue from the state system, may not pay their "fair share" in taxes, and may provide scant or no benefits to indigenous and local communities living in or near them.
Research has begun in Costa Rica, which we hope to expand to Kenya and the western United States of America.