International Working Group

The question continually arises about whether PARC is an international effort, and the answer is best given from a historical perspective. PARC was initially developed with a focus on the southeastern United States because the Southeast is the region with the country's highest herpetofaunal biodiversity and potentially greatest problems. As the PARC initiative became publicized in 1998, a national interest developed from numerous geographic regions, and then participants from Mexico and Canada became involved so that it quickly became North American. At the organizational meeting in Atlanta in June 1999, the attendees maintained PARC's focus on North American species but with an additional interest in international actions that affect species native to North America. An international working group that included individuals associated with DAPTF and Conservation International was formed during the meeting. At the October meeting of PARC with the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the PARC emphasis on international issues centered on species that are common to the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The PARC international group was charged with developing a list of species of concern.

At this time, most of the PARC effort has been through the regional and topical working groups that are attempting to identify a variety of conservation issues that affect native North American species. PARC continues to be a grassroots organization with the success in various regions being dependent on the individuals and organizations involved.

PARC's sister organization across the border, the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network (CARC), is actively involved with herp conservation throughout Canada. Click here to visit CARCnet.