Workshop Plenary Maintaining Protected Areas for Now and the Future Evaluating Management Effectiveness: Maintaining Protected Areas for Now and the Future Workshop Plenary

Format of Proceedings 1. Workshop report 2. Panel response 3. Plenary Discussion Contributions from the workshop to WPC outputs: 5. Close Durban accord Message to CBD Recommendations 18 & 19

Workshop Report Geoff Vincent Parks Victoria, Australia

Overview 13 workshops in 20 sessions Nearly 1200 participants Comprehensive examination of contemporary work on MEE Demonstration of widespread development and application of MEE globally

Workshop Themes Evaluation systems and processes Indicators Threats Work in Progress

Key Messages Theme: Evaluation systems and processes Evaluations being conducted widely Ecological integrity emerging as necessary concept for MEE Monitoring and reporting, indicator development, public awareness under-emphasized Capacity issues - Evaluation of management effectiveness is occurring in a number of countries, being done at national, regional and site levels Evaluation is being done at a number of different levels from casual observation to highly scientific assessments. There are several frameworks available for conducting evaluations, with new holistic science-based concepts such as ecological integrity becoming more prominent. Ecological integrity evaluations are flexible, and can be adapted by scale (space and time) depending on the management needs. Monitoring and reporting, and communicating with the public on the heath of the protected area are essential but under-utilized tools for informing the public and generating support. Evaluation systems can play a necessary role for establishing clear conservation goals and objectives, increasing accountability through adaptive management and follow-up, and improving stakeholder engagement. Capacity (scientific, human and financial resources) to conduct such evaluations is an issue.

Key messages Theme: Indicators Plethora of frameworks Need to improve information sharing and monitoring for management actions Perspectives of indigenous and local communities Challenges in developing social, cultural and ecological indicators Plethora of frameworks exist—need to harmonize, use common language and reduce duplication, and translate into day-to-day operations of PA management Need to find ways to improve information collection and sharing, targeting the monitoring efforts towards the management actions. The needs and perspectives of indigenous and local communities are integral to the effective management of of protected areas. The challenge of developing indicators for ecological, social and cultural integrity relevant to the specific context of the protected area was noted in many sessions.

Key Messages Theme: Threats Increasingly complex (e.g. climate change, invasives, unsustainable harvesting) Need to raise public awareness Ecosystem Approach and science basis for actions Local and traditional knowledge Need for minimum standards Capacity issues Need to raise public awareness on existing and emerging threats on the health of protected areas. Some of the major issues threatening biodiversity and ecological integrity of protected areas include: - climate change - unsustainable harvesting and illegal trade - invasive alien species Lack of capacity (scientific, financial, management) to address emerging threats Solutions should be based on an ecosystem approach, with a solid science foundation (increased monitoring and reporting), including the use of traditional or local knowledge, and public education, as well as capacity building of protected area managers (local communities, governments, other agencies)

Key Messages Theme: Work in Progress Amalgamation of frameworks (e.g. simplification) Need for common language Generate public support and ownership Incorporate new science WCPA to investigate options for verification of Pas Integration of resilience options into PA management plans, assessment and restoration (eg climate change) Amalgamation of evaluation frameworks would assist simplification of indicators Further work on common language of protected area management frameworks and raise awareness to develop wider sense of ownership and public support.

Common Threads Establish clear goals, objectives and purposes for MEE at all levels Vertical integration of MEE in planning and business processes Strong alignment between systems and synergy with management cycles Use and apply best practice principles Seek out and employ simple, easily measured and understood indicators

Common Threads Optimise utility of evaluation data through standardised collection, storage and management Optimise benefits of investment to date by making best use of existing Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) systems Engage local and indigenous communities in MEE Build capacity by applying current knowledge – don’t wait for the perfect system Common Threads

Major and Emerging Issues Threats are becoming more complex Improve use of science in the management of protected areas Local community needs and perspectives need to be integrated in goals and objectives Assessments need to be more rigorous Communities, stakeholders and local staff need to be involved in design, conduct and communication of results Local communities need to be positively engaged in protected area management. Improve the use of science in management of protected areas.

Major and Emerging Issues Ensuring that differences between NGO and Government agency agendas doesn’t lead to a fracturing of approaches Raise awareness of the utility of new tools such as Ecological integrity evaluations for management effectiveness Move from development of methodologies to implementation at sites Transparent reporting Ecological integrity evaluation

Key Workshop Outcomes Widespread recognition of MEE as an essential component of effective PA management Strong commitment to action from all sectors to move from systems development to implementation Commitment to work together to harmonise and move forward rather than compete Recognition of the benefits of a diversity of methods Results used to improve management actions

Where to from here?

Panel Mavuso Msimang CEO South African National Parks Marija Zupancic-Vicar, Senior Advisor -, WCPA Leonardo Lacerda, WWF International Nik Lopoukhine, Director General, National Parks DirectorateParks Canada Pedro Rosabal, Protected Areas Program, IUCN Geoff Vincent, Deputy CEO Parks Victoria, Australia