Modeled after the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), the National Park Administration (APN) of Argentina has a similar structure and management: the goal is to promote biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, scientific research, and sustainable development.  Both park systems have impressive scenery, significant infrastructure and visitor facilities and a highly trained workforce, but also share management challenges such as the need to enhance the visitor experience while reducing the impact on park resources, improve work with local communities, and increase their relevance to society.  The APN system has 48 protected areas (38 national parks) representing over 17.5 million acres. In 2018, the APN received over 4 million visitors.

Embassy Buenos Aires would like to further enhance the strong existing links between both national park systems by implementing an exchange program that will address the current challenges that park services are facing in the 21^st century. This program will be primarily focused on improving the visitor experience, its sustainability and project management, developing public and educational programming, advisory for national park staff, rangers and guides.

This program will expand for two to three years since its design to the final reporting stage. It will include travel to national parks or protected areas in Argentina and national parks or protected areas in the United States. The main local partner is the APN, although other partners could also be included. The Embassy together with the APN and the grantee will select up to five national parks or protected areas in Argentina that will be the focus of this exchange program.

The grantee will be responsible for designing, developing and implementing the different stages of this program in consultancy with Embassy Buenos Aires and the APN. It will also be in charge of managing the budget and reporting. The program must include meetings, immersive experiences, brainstorming sessions, workshop and training opportunities. The program may also include virtual consultations.

Deadline: Oct. 30, 2019