Wildlife Governance and the Politics of Transborder Commons: the Gray Wolf Case

Jennilee Pelc, Western Washington University

Abstract

Wildlife management north and south of the Border is markedly different and is a direct reflection of the respective political systems. This variance in governance structures on either side of the border makes coordination, implementation, and management of transborder natural resources difficult. Transborder wildlife, particularly those shared across international borders, present many challenges to their successful management. Environmental governance scholars have indicated that a shift to more "fluid" polycentric governance, or multiple centers of governance among several smaller jurisdictions, may be more effective than governance through a single large structure.