NORTHERN RANGE ASSESSMENT People and the Northern Range Sarika Maharaj The Cropper Foundation November 8th 2004

Why the Northern Range? Ecological, Geological, Economic and Social Significance To All Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago

Why the Northern Range? Lack of information on impacts of human activities on Northern Range Poor understanding of implications of these impacts on human well-being Lack of coordinated management as one entity

Origin Building on John Cropper’s work on “Re-Greening the NR” with pilot communities International opportunity - 1 of 27 sub-global assessments within the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Objectives Assess the changes in and current condition of Northern Range services Assess factors that drive these changes

Objectives cont’d Characterise links between these ecosystem services and human well-being Assess existing policies and institutional frameworks

Usefulness Contribution to formulation of policy and management approaches Baseline information on and understanding of the NR as an ecosystem

Usefulness cont’d Influence national research agenda Stimulate similar assessments of other natural resource systems Building a network drawn from public agencies, private and corporate sectors as well as communities

Usefulness Findings used in outreach that can increase citizens’ stewardship and response Development of The Cropper Foundation’s Environment and Natural Resource Education programme

How was the Northern Range Assessment done?