Background:
Yosemite National Park, of the United States National Park Service (NPS), and Chile's Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, of the Corporaci6n Nacional Forestal (CONAF), taking into account the Agreement signed between NPS and CONAF on January 26, 2000, and in accordance with the U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement, signed on June 17,2003.
Taking into consideration that Parque Nacional Torres del Paine and Yosemite National Park are world class parks, which represent outstanding examples of the natural heritage both the United States and Chile seek to preserve. Although not identical twins, the two parks share enough in common to be "sisters." They both boast spectacular rock formations, refuges for unique plant and animal species, hiking and climbing routes, popular tourism and recreation destinations and unique photographic opportunities;
Noting that both parks also face many shared threats and management concerns, including limited resources, development pressure, threatened or endangered species, trail erosion and the impact of shifting climate patterns. Also noting that the employees of both parks share common ideals of stewardship and preservation of the resources under their care. Their priorities also include education, research, and monitoring programs; and
Considering that Yosemite National Park in California and Parque Nacional Torres del Paine in Patagonia - seek to establish a formal sister park partnership,
Both Parties agree the following:
Article 1
The objective of this partnership is to establish a cooperation framework between Yosemite National Park, represented by its Superintendent, and Torres del Paine National Park, represented by the Executive Director and the Regional Director of Magallanes of the Corporacion Nacional Forestal, in order to achieve mutually agreed objectives as indicated underneath in the areas of cooperation. The above takes into consideration that both Parties have cooperated in a number of areas: conservation, preservation, and management of national parks and other natural and cultural heritage sites. These efforts have also fostered recreation and public education.
The overarching purpose of this sister park arrangement is to improve protected area management at both parks through an exchange of best practices.
Article 2
Areas of Cooperation:
The "sister parks" concept functions through the exchange of personnel, information, data, technology, training, and best practices that broaden the experience of park personnel. Examples of potential areas of cooperation include but are not limited to:
1. Exchange of experiences in dealing with operational challenges, management, organization of activities, and preservation of natural resources, in the context of growing visitor numbers;
2. Exchange of experiences and training in the restoration, prevention and control of natural and human-caused fires;
3. Exchange of experiences and training in human search and rescue operations;
4. English language instruction for CONAF personnel, and Spanish for NPS personnel;
5. Exchange of experiences on planning and the management of park resources and operations;
6. Exchange of experiences in the management of park concessions, including procedures to establish proper criteria for the selection of services, infrastructure and appropriate architecture;
7. Exchange of experiences in handling relations with neighboring communities (urban centers, agricultural interests, cattle breeders, tour operators, universities, and other tourism attractions);
8. Joint scientific research on topics such as glaciers and wildlife, considering in it the eventual participation of universities or research centers;
9. The development of park websites within their own capabilities to include information on its sister park, with the possibility of simultaneous live webcams, weather information, geological characteristics, wildlife and future activities;
10. Exchange of experiences in methods of interpretation and education for park visitors, to include community-based outreach, public relations, and marketing;
11. Exchange of experiences in management and maintenance of park facilities; and
12. Other appropriate exchanges as agreed upon by the Superintendent of Yosemite National Park and the CONAF's Magallanes Regional Director who is responsible for the management of Parque Nacional Torres del Paine.
Article 3
Funding:
To fulfill the goals of this agreement, both parties envision staff exchanges on a regular basis. Each Party will establish the funding mechanism for the fulfillment of the Sister Park objectives, which may include public or private associations or other collaborative partnerships It is generally understood in the context of this arrangement for park-related exchanges, the sending park (whether for visits or details) is responsible for the cost of the international travel and the receiving park is responsible for funding in-country travel, board and lodging. The details of each exchange are to be negotiated separately and are dependent upon available resources.
Article 4
Duration:
This Sister Park Partnership will be in effect for five years from the date of signature, and will be renewed automatically if no Party indicates to the other of its intention to end the partnership at least within three months of its expiration date. The implementation of the partnership will inform the U.S.- Chile Joint Commission of the Environmental Cooperation Agreement.
Signed in Santiago, Chile, on this 10th day of May 2007, in English and Spanish.
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