BRAZIL TO SEND PARK DIRECTORS ON PAID INTERNSHIPS

UNCLAS BRASILIA 001666 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO STATE FOR JMCALPINE OES/ETC; NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE FOR JPUTNAM; USFS FOR EMAYHEW AND MZWEEDE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TBIO KSCA BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL TO SEND PARK DIRECTORS ON PAID INTERNSHIPS ¶1. Post recently learned that Brazil's Environmental Protection Agency (IBAMA) has allotted money for the second semester of FY07 to send each of its 23 national park directors on a month-long internship at a national park overseas. At a meeting on August 10, IBAMA's head of international relations and director of wildlife expressed interest in sending some of the park directors to intern at a national park in the United States. Similar agreements already exist with France and Italy. ¶2. Comment: Post regards this as a visible, high-impact opportunity to increase collaboration and build capacity in Brazil. As IBAMA has already budgeted money for the program the U.S. only requires a national park willing to help train and develop a Brazilian counterpart. This is the equivalent of a long-term IV paid for by the GoB. Post highlights that undertaking the endeavor would result in a very positive outcome, from both a conservation and public relations perspective. Likely follow-ups include roundtables, speeches and/or press events. End Comment ¶3. Action Request: Post requests Department and NPS guidance on the viability of the project. SOBEL