Parks/Wild Spaces National parks, forests, wildlife preserves, beaches, and other protected areas offer sanctuary to various habitats and indigenous communities, in addition to providing resources for local peoples. In an urbanizing world, these sites provide an opportunity for healthy interaction with the natural environment. Globally, dramatic population growth in the world's major cities threatens natural recreation areas that lay beyond city limits. An assessment by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) of 30 protected sites in the developing world shows that these areas now act as magnets, attracting people to the rich oasis of water, fuel, food, and other resources they contain. Population growth rates in these areas are typically 2 percentage points above the national average and it threatens to eliminate the diversity of habitats and cultures, in addition to the peace and quiet that national parks currently house. Africa/Middle East Asia/South Pacific Latin America/Caribbean Europe North America Africa/Middle East   South African National Parks www.parks-sa.co.za This is the official website for South Africa's National Parks. Zambia National Parks www.mbasciences.com/zambia/natl_parks_detail.html This site describes the National Parks of Zambia. Asia/South Pacific   Wilderness Society (Australia) www.nccnsw.org.au/member/tws The Wilderness Society is a national, community-based, environmental advocacy organization whose mission is to protect, promote and secure the future of wilderness and other high conservation areas. Latin America/Caribbean   Aldea Global (Honduras) pagcent@david.intertel.hn Aldea Global protects Cerro Azul Meambrar Apartado Postal 1149 Tegucigalpa, Honduras Phone: (504) 232-8287 Fax: (504) 232-6511 Contact: Chet Thomas Ecobrasil www.ecobrasil.org.br Ecobrasil, the Brazilian Ecotourism Associations makes information available, through the Internet, about ecotourism projects and activities; makes information available through informative bulletins, about ecotourism projects and activities; promotes communities' participation in ecotourism projects; and has created a database holding information about projects, programs, statistics, informative material and the formation of a human resources list. Fundacion Ecologista Hector Rodrigo Pastor Fasquelle fehrpf@globalnet.hn The Fundación sponsors numerous workshops on environmental topics and works in the Cusuco National Park with funding from The Nature Conservancy. 1a Calle, 7ave NO Apartado Postal 2749 San Pedro Sula, Honduras Phone: (504) 552-1014 Fax: (504) 557-6220 Contact: Gladys Fasquelle de Pastor, Jaime Pon MOPAWI (Honduras) MOPAWI works to protect the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve. Puerto Lempira Depto. de Gracias a Dios Honduras Phone: (504) 98-7460 or 2a Calle #1336 Apartado Postal 2175 Tegucigalpa, Honduras (504) 237-7210 Contact Osvaldo Munguia, Exec Director Europe   EUROPARC www.greenchannel.com/fnnpe The EUROPARC Federation is a politically independent, pan-European organization. Formally known as the Federation of Nature and National Parks of Europe, EUROPARC has a core which comprises the managers and specialist staff of more than two hundred nationally protected areas in over thirty countries. For more than 20 years the EUROPARC Federation has united members from countries all across Europe with the common aim of raising the profile and improving the management of protected areas. Lake District National Park Authority www.lake-district.gov.uk The Lake District is the largest and most beautiful of the 11 National Parks of England and Wales. Its spectacular landscapes - visited by up to 14 million people each year - are cared for by the Lake District National Park Authority. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park www.pembrokeshirecoast.org The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is the smallest National Park in England and Wales, (although it has the highest population density). The Park is predominantly coastal, and includes several offshore islands, which are internationally important for their seabird and seal populations. Pro Natura Romania pronatura.ccs.ro We are working in the field of nature conservation, more exactly in managing protected areas - visitor impact management, and our main program is in Retezat National Park, the first park established in Romania. North America   National Park Service www.nps.gov This is the website for the National Park Service with information on all of the National Parks and other protected areas in the United States. National Parks and Conservation Association www.npca.org NPCA's mission is to protect and improve the quality of our National Park System and to promote an understanding, appreciation, and sense of personal commitment to parklands. Parks Canada parkscanada.pch.gc.ca This is the official site for Canadian Heritage with information on all of the National Parks and other protected areas in the United States. Trust for Public Land www.igc.apc.org/tpl The Trust for Public Land is the only national nonprofit working exclusively to protect land for human enjoyment and well-being. TPL helps conserve land for recreation and spiritual nourishment and to improve the health and quality of life of American communities. Wilderness Society www.wilderness.org The Wilderness Society is a non-profit membership organization devoted to preserving wilderness and wildlife, protecting America's prime forests, parks, rivers, deserts and shorelands, and fostering an American land ethic.