One of Mexico's environmental policy instruments attracting great interest in recent years is participatory community ecological planning (ordenamiento ecológico comunitario participativo, or OECP, in Spanish). It as a basic tool implemented by the Mexican Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) to identify, evaluate and propose different forms of land and natural resource use and management. Its purpose is to use participatory methods to establish rational and diversified forms of resource use that concurrently meet local and regional needs. This paper is mostly oriented around its application to protected natural areas.

A historic background of Mexico's natural resource use and planning is provided. The country's diverse forms of social organization and traditional resource management are reflected in national land appropriation schemes for rural communities; however, the social and ecological realities of local land stewards have been scarcely considered in government policies until recently. Beginning in the 1980s and increasing in the late 90s, various civil, academic and governmental groups formed with the focus of participatory development. International and Mexican NGOs were prominent actors in establishing this focus and continue to play an important role in using participatory methods for integrating traditional and modern forms of land management.

OECP envisages community members as project designers. Systematic and well-established rules are laid out for external actors to evaluate their effects on the communities during their involvement. Of central importance to planning processes are clearly defined land tenure rights and socio-political structures, although the authors concede that these are complex issues in Mexico. Satellite technology and field surveys provide the necessary biophysical and socioeconomic statistical information, while incorporation of traditional ecological experiences and practices is also a fundamental consideration. Some examples of OECP projects in natural protected areas are given.

The evolution and roles of various governmental agencies acting in accordance with the regulatory institution SEMARNAT are described and include the National Ecology Institute (INE), Indigenous Conservation of Biodiversity (CONABIO), Integrated Ecosystem Management (MIE), National Forest Commission (CONAFOR), and the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP). Some of these entities have been important contributors to international conservation schemes such as the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor and border agreements between Mexico and Guatemala. It is expected that OECP will contribute further to such national and global initiatives.

Mexico's General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection (LEEGPA) regulations were formulated and revised to provide more detailed responsibilities and roles for various actors. INE is currently creating methodological and conceptual guides for planning. The authors call for better communication and more coordination among institutions involved. Capacity building for research consultants and local technicians is also a priority in order to facilitate conflict resolution and local decision making abilities to effectively influence the design of governmental development programs.

Prepared by Megan Glore