CHALLENGES TO ACTOR-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE: EXAMPLES FROM THREE MEXICAN BIOSPHERE RESERVES LUDGER BRENNER* & HUBERT JOB** *Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Departamento de Sociología, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, C.P. 09340 México, D.F./Mexico. E-mail: bren@xanum.uam.mx **Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Chair of Geography and Regional Science, Am Hubland, D- 97074 Würzburg/Germany. E-mail: hubert.job@uni-wuerzburg.de Received: August 2009; accepted March 2011 ABSTRACT This paper adopts an actor-oriented approach to identify and conceptualise common challenges to interactive environmental governance in three well-known Mexican biosphere reserves by analysing stakeholder support or resistance with regard to nature conservation, considering conflicting interests among actors. Certain tools that have recently been applied to establish multi-actor decision-making bodies to manage these problems are described and critically evalu- ated. In-depth interviews conducted with key actors over a three-year period show that opposing interests and actions hamper the development of integral and participative governance. Despite earnest attempts to conciliate deep-rooted conflicts among conservation-centred actors and other stakeholders interested in capitalising on natural resources for purposes of livelihood and profit, there is still a need for conceptual and strategic advancement to foster the effective and socially balanced management of protected areas in Mexico. Key words: actor-oriented environmental governance, biosphere reserves, Mexico INTRODUCTION There can be no doubt that the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisa- tion’s (UNESCO) concept of biosphere reserves is considered a successful means of nature con- servation and sustainable economic develop- ment worldwide. In addition, it has become a leading paradigm for protected area manage- ment. The figures speak for themselves: while the first biosphere reserve was not declared until 1976, 34 years later, UNESCO lists 564 internationally-approved Biosphere Reserves in 109 countries, 37 of which are located in Mexico (<www.unesco.org/mabdbr>). Bio- sphere reserves have also come to be a corner- stone of Mexican environmental policy, as they comprise 6.1 per cent of the terrestrial national territory and make up more than half of all protected areas under federal jurisdiction (<www.conanp.gob.mx>). UNESCO’s latest policy paper, the Madrid Action Plan, aims ‘to raise biosphere reserves to become the principal internationally- designated areas dedicated to sustainable development in the 21 st century’ and ‘to link biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development for human well-being’ (UNESCO 2008, p. 3). UNESCO officials attribute the increasing international acceptance of bio- sphere reserves to the practicality of innovative and farsighted principles, as well as to their flex- ibility in terms of natural and human resource management. It also stresses that zoning, Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie – 2012, DOI:10.1111/j.1467-9663.2011.00671.x, Vol. 103, No. 1, pp. 1–19. © 2011 The Authors Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie © 2011 Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK and 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA