干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

The Program for the Conservation of Migratory Bats between Mexico and the United States (PCMM) was formally established in 1995, after a group of international bat specialists became concerned about the decline of this group of mammals in Mexico. Its objectives are to protect and recover migratory species and to maintain their evolutionary and ecological continuities and roles. It includes the participation of many institutions and professionals in 14 states of Mexico and others from the United States. The PCMM is assembled along three main axes: research, environmental education, and conservation actions. Research is fundamental for the 2 other axes, and research and environmental education provide guidelines for conservation action. After focusing on three migratory species for 6 years, today the PCMM concentrates on endemic, migratory, and at-risk species. The program’s results indicate recovery of several bat colonies and stability of many more. Children subjected to the environmental education program have retained over 70% of the knowledge 3 years after exposure. Success of the PCMM is attributed to international collaboration and interaction of the three strategic axes. This program has served as a model for bat protection programs in other Latin American countries.