Ballycroy and Yosemite National Parks sign new Sister Park arrangement

The US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire D Cronin travelled to Mayo this afternoon to witness the signing of a new Sister Park arrangement between Wild Nephin National Park and Yosemite National Park in California.

The official signing of the agreement took place in Ballycroy where representatives from the Wild Nephin National Park and Yosemite National Park joined Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD and US Ambassador to Ireland Claire D Cronin for the historic event.

The Sister Park agreement runs over five years and will enable international co-operation between both parks to support their shared goals in nature conservation and promoting natural and cultural tourism.

It will facilitate information exchange, collaboration and sharing good practice in areas such as community engagement, cultural and visitor service management, forestry and fire management, wilderness and dark sky management and climate change.

Yosemite National Park in California was designated in 1890 as a National Park and is home to five of the world’s highest waterfalls, granite domes and wells, deep valleys, giant sequoia groves and lakes. Consisting of over 300,000 hectares, 95 percent of which is designated wilderness, it is known for unique and pronounced landform features as a result of glacial action on granitic bedrock.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Noonan said: “This Sister Park agreement presents exciting opportunities for both parks. While they may differ in size and geographical features, the challenges they face in Wild Nephin and Yosemite are really very similar. These include balancing nature conservation with visitor impact, preserving our ecological and cultural heritage, controlling invasive species, and educating new generations.

“This agreement marks another connection in the shared history of Ireland and the USA and has a special meaning here in Co Mayo. It is also a reminder that the challenge of protecting biodiversity is both a local and a global one.”

US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire D Cronin said the agreement will strengthen their commitment to conservation as well as the links between Mayo and the US.

“I am thrilled to celebrate a new sister parks agreement between Wild Nephin National Park and Yosemite National Park, especially in the 100th year of US-Ireland diplomatic relations. These two parks are treasures of natural beauty and biodiversity. This partnership strengthens our commitment to conservation and highlights the deep historical ties between Co Mayo and the United States.”

Catriona Ryan, Director of National Parks and Nature Reserves, NPWS said both Killarney National Park and Connemara National Park have seen the benefits of sister park arrangements.

“It’s great to see another of our National Parks participate in an international partnership like this. They are pathways to new thinking and ideas, create a sense of solidarity and are hugely motivating for our staff,” she said.

Denis Strong, Divisional Manager with NPWS said that the local team are looking forward to tapping into the wealth of knowledge at Yosemite National Park over the next five years.

“While Wild Nephin is definitely the younger sister in this arrangement between our National Parks, we also have lots to share in terms of our conservation work, along with our community and stakeholder engagement. Forestry and woodlands restoration, fire management and dark skies are just some of the themes that we’re hoping to pursue through our collaboration,” he said.