1. Building Capacity on Protected Areas Law & Governance
Exercise 2
Understanding Basic Protected
Area Concepts
Picture: Monteverde cloud forest reserve in Costa Rica Copyright: IUCN Photo Library / © Gillian Eborn
Introduction to the Course, Law & PAs

2. Background Purpose Structure
Promote an understanding of basic Protected Area concepts amongst Learners from non-PA backgrounds
Provide an opportunity for you to reflect on the above concepts through a case study
Structure
Introduction to Exercise (10 minutes)
Small Group Work (50 minutes)
Joint Class Discussion (20 minutes)
Consolidation (10 minutes)
NOTES FOR EDUCATOR
Briefly explain the Purpose of the Exercise.
Briefly explain the Structure of the Exercise.

3. The Case Study: Lagoon Bay Area
NOTES FOR EDUCATOR
Briefly introduce the Case Study to the Learners as follows:
The Case Study concerns an area situated in the country of Utopia in the region of Paradisia.
The area is a coastal, lagoon area of exceptional natural beauty and it contains several threatened species.
The Lagoon Bay area can be divided into four main areas:
Western area - which comprises of a small settlement. In recent times the area has gained in popularity with holiday-makers and development pressure is increasing.
Central area - which comprises of largely intact natural areas such as an internationally important wetland, dune systems and grasslands.
Eastern area - which is inhabited by a local indigenous community known as the Utopians. They harvest marine resources from the lagoon and guard a culturally and significant area - the sacred rocks. Harvesting takes place in terms of strictly observed customary rules.
The coastal waters - marine resources are harvested not only by the Utopians but also be recreational fishers and commercial enterprises.
The surrounding area is characterised by agricultural activity which is also on the increase.
There are several laws and several government institutions which play a role in regulating the area.
Indicate to the Learners that they will be required to answer a series of questions about the Case Study in their group.
Indicate that you will provide a brief overview of the most important aspects of the Seminar Presentation for purposes of the Exercise.

4. maintain biodiversity ecological resilience
Importance & Value
Importance?
value
nature
people
maintain biodiversity
ecosystem services
areas of refuge
cultural
provisioning
ecological resilience
regulating
supporting
NOTES FOR EDUCATOR
Highlight the Importance and Value of PAs both for nature and for people and indicate that the benefits for nature and people are interrelated.
climate change
mitigation
adaptation

5. Threats to Protected Areas
Urban expansion
War & conflict
Habitat loss
Alien species
Inappropriate land/sea use
On-site development
Off-site development
Unsustainable resource use
Off-site pollution
On-site pollution
Natural events
Off-site natural events
Illegal activities
Climate change
NOTES FOR EDUCATOR
Remind Learners that PA face a myriad of Threats which are interrelated and may be direct or indirect.
Direct Threats
Indirect Threats

6. Management Principles
Ecosystem Approach
Precautionary Approach
Connectivity
Reflect in PA law
Planning
Management by Conservation Objectives
NOTES FOR EDUCATOR
Remind Learners of the best practice Management Principles for PAs that should be reflected in PA law.
Managing for Particular Threats

7. IUCN Management Categories
NOTES FOR EDUCATOR
Remind Learners that the IUCN has over time developed a series of Management Categories, each of which have particular objectives and can accommodate different types of uses and levels of intervention, ranging from strict protection to sustainable resource use.

8. Institutions & Stakeholders
National Institutions
State Actors
Ministries
Statutory
Bodies
Departments
national
sub-national
Non-State Actors
Private
Landowners
NGOs
NOTES FOR EDUCATOR
Remind Learners that there are a series of Institutions and Stakeholders that may be relevant in the context of PAs.
Indigenous
Peoples
Corporations
Local
Communities

9. PA Pratitioner Perspective
Quality of Governance
“Good Governance”?
PA Pratitioner Perspective
PA Lawyer Perspective
legitimacy & voice
public participation
direction
transparency
performance
predictability
NOTES FOR EDUCATOR
Remind Learners that there are an array of legal tools (such as those facilitating access to information, public participation, social equity and access to justice) which can aid in achieving recognised principles of Good Governance in the context of PAs.
accountability
equity
fairness & rights
justice

10. The Questions
What particular threats to the ecosystem can you identify?
What would be the value of declaring Lagoon Bay as a Protected Area?
What objectives might be of relevance to a Protected Area such as Lagoon Bay?
What might be an appropriate management category for Lagoon Bay Protected Area? Provide reasons for your answer.
What are the key principles that should underpin and inform management of Lagoon Bay Protected Area?
What institutions and other role-players are relevant in the Lagoon Bay context and how might they be relevant?
What steps can the relevant government institutions take & what tools could they use, to promote good governance?
NOTES FOR EDUCATOR
Briefly introduce the Exercise Questions.