WILD and Cemex
WILD and CEMEX Collaborate on International Wilderness and Biodiversity Conservation
The WILD Foundation has been working with the CEMEX corporation for several years on initiatives to increase international wilderness and biodiversity conservation. For example, since 2001, WILD has been involved with a conservation book series published by CEMEX. Since 2004, WILD has worked with other NGOs to consolidate CEMEX’s conservation efforts in the Maderas del Carmen region in Northern Mexico (across the Rio Grande from Big Bend National Park, Texas).
Wildlands Conservation
CEMEX owns and manages approximately 55,000 hectares (136,000 acres) of highly ecologically sensitive lands in the Maderas del Carmen region in Northern Mexico. WILD has been acting in an advisory capacity on this conservation project since 2004, in particular advocating that CEMEX formally declare a 21,000 hectare (50,000 acre) wilderness area on these lands. This wilderness designation will be subject to certification by an NGO consortium in Mexico. WILD has worked with several other conservation NGOs and the staff of 42 people employed by CEMEX in the management of this critically important area. CEMEX presented their wilderness commitment to the international environmental community at the 8th World Wilderness Congress (Alaska, 2005)
Book Series
WILD and numerous other conservation NGOs in the USA and overseas have contributed to a series of books published by CEMEX, dedicated to highlighting today’s conservation challenges by using the highest quality conservation photography combined with cutting edge science and policy analysis. These books are used by policymakers around the world, and include such titles as Hotspots; Megadiversity; Wilderness; Transboundary Conservation; The Human Footprint; Birds and People; and others.
WILD recognizes CEMEX for its extraordinary commitment to wildlands and biodiversity conservation, which is among the most extensive by any corporation of which we are aware. We also understand that CEMEX has been cited for potential environmental compliance violations at its plant in Colorado, USA. If these violations have in fact occurred, we of course encourage CEMEX to conduct necessary remediation as soon as possible. WILD will continue to advise CEMEX on their wilderness and biodiversity programs in order to expand the international wildlands network.