T his article analyzes the incorporation of normative principles of governance in the man - agement of protected areas on the Peninsula of Baja California, Mexico, during the period 2007-2011. A review of the literature permitted an evaluation of the following indicators: ef fectiveness, ef f iciency, participation, inclusiveness, and equality. It was found that impor - tant changes leading toward improved governance have taken place at the administrative level. However, these changes are still insuf f icient to bring about greater stakeholder involve - ment; therefore, continued improvement is necessary for governmental management prac - tices and ref ining participatory mechanisms.