Anza-Borrego Desert SP, Volunteers practice constructing a Mongolian “ger” hut

The relationship between Ikh Nart Nature Reserve and California State Parks has been growing ever since Mark Jorgensen, former Superintendent of California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park first visited Mongolia in 2006.  Ikh Nart and Anza-Borrego became official Sister Parks in 2008 when the California State Park Commission voted unanimously to pass a Resolution of Support for the relationship between the two parks. Additionally an official Communication from the Governor was delivered to Mongolia that same year. Joint efforts include wildlife studies, natural and cultural resource protection, enforcement, training and ecotourism.

The Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve (Ikh Nart) is located in the Dornogobi Aimag or East Gobi Province of Mongolia. Established in 1996, the park covers 254 square miles of grassland and semi-desert steppe environments and harbors one of the last remaining populations of Argali Sheep. Check the Ikh Nart website and please note the links to the Sister Park Agreement at the bottom of the home page and follow the links further to the updated Sister Park documents.

As part of the sister park agreement, State Parks provides equipment and training to the staff of Ikh Nart Nature Reserve. The agreement has also led to the development of a Park Ranger program and improvement of boundary markers. All work and contributions between the Sister Parks are privately funded and are accomplished on personal time.

Status of California State Parks’ Sister Park Agreement

Between the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia

and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

A small group of State Park affiliated staff, Mark Jorgensen, Lynn Rhodes and Mike Wells, traveled to Mongolia in July and August 2016. On August 6th Lynn Rhodes and Dr. Mike Wells will meet Jorgensen who will already be in Mongolia. Together they will travel to Ikh Nart to work with the Park Rangers, scientists and local governors to further enhance the partnership. Jorgensen said “ We can all look forward to many future successes in our growing partnership with the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, and in conserving desert parks such as Anza-Borrego. The state parks team will be delivering an incredible amount of equipment and materials to Ikh Nart this month, including laptop computers, four GPS units, spotting scopes, binoculars, boundary signs, uniforms with new shoulder patches, replacement boundary sign decals, and supplies to local nomads and to the Ikh Nart Women's Cooperative project  Ikh Nart is Our Future.

The team will meet there with Dr. Joan Schneider of Anza-Borrego, and volunteer archeologist Roger Riolo who will be conducting the first Archeological Elder Hostel at Ikh Nart to document many of the valuable cultural sites of the Reserve. They will also meet with Dr. Richard Reading of the Denver Zoo Foundation and will travel to the offices of two local governors as well as meet with a United Nations representative to discuss the management of Ikh Nart Nature Reserve and the Sister Park project.

CSPRA continues to support and endorse the Sister Park relationship and the professional development it creates between the two parks and countries. We will keep members updated of the latest Sister Park developments and activities.