International Organizations
The Earth Council is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) created in September 1992 to promote and advance the implementation of the Earth Summit agreements. The Earth Council website provides several databases on topics relevant to those interested in integrated coastal management, such as National Councils for Sustainable Development. The site also provides a number of sustainable development links and resources.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
The World Conservation Union is an increasingly decentralized organization in which Regional and Country Offices work in tandem with both commissions and headquarters programs. Information about each Regional and Country Office is linked to geographic headings at the "places" site. Information regarding IUCN's objectives, approach, membership, areas of expertise, specialist networks, director, major initiatives, and recent publications is available for each region or country. The IUCN "themes" site includes information on themes such as ecosystem management, environmental law, the economics of biodiversity, protected areas, and others. These sites will be of particular interest to those interested in international conservation projects and a wide variety of conservation issues.
The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)
The WCPA is the world's leading global network of protected area specialists containing over 1,300 members and is a Commission of the World Conservation Union. The WCPA works with governments, protected area managers, and private entities around the world to fulfill its mission of promoting the establishment and effective management of a worldwide representative network of terrestrial and marine protected areas. Its Web site contains information on WCPA program developments, news and key events, membership data, and WCPA publications (including guidelines on marine protected areas).