International recognition of Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs) is leading a resurgence of interest in various modes of community conservation. One prominent concern is the suitability of international agreements and national laws concerning the legal status of ICCAs and how they translate into practice at a local scale. Since 1996, Mexican environmental law and policy have enabled the voluntary designation of community conserved areas; in 2008, a new official category of Voluntary Conserved Areas was established. The response of communities to these opportunities has been cautiously enthusiastic and creative, leading to broad experimentation with multiple avenues of designating both ancient and new community conserved areas, some of which are internationally acknowledged as ICCAs. Within Mexico, Indigenous and mestizo communities of Oaxaca are particularly active in establishing ICCAs, more than doubling the protected area coverage in the state from 2003 to 2009. Deeper examination of specific ICCAs in Oaxaca reveals a complex reality in which international agreements, national laws, and local customs provide an enabling context with an impressive past and an uncertain future. In addition to documenting legislation that enables and legitimizes community conservation initiatives, it is essential to understand the broader web of laws and policies that affects the security of land and resource tenure.