The proposed Castle Wilderness (Canada) and the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Mexico) are used to demonstrate the application of a pluridimensional spectrum of governance framework to evaluate the influence of governance on the establishment and management of pro-tected areas. The objectives are to understand (a) the relevant similarities and differences between the two countries, (b) the interactions across governance dimensions, and (c) the factors that influ-ence conservation outcomes. The analysis shows that in both cases protected area governance is affected negatively by weak environmental and economic governance. Public support, funding, and improvements in protected area governance do not deliver positive conservation outcomes because of apparent inconsistencies among economic and conservation policies.
