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Background This project will provide the foundation for creating a network of protected areas in the Falkland Islands. Drawing upon efforts to identify key biodiversity areas and the knowledge of landowners, the project will provide a framework for building a comprehensive network of protected areas in partial fulfilment of the Falkland Islands Biodiversity Strategy and to help meet existing international commitments. It will develop decision-making tools, management policies, mechanisms for maintaining and enhancing biodiversity on private and public lands, and tools to support the monitoring of those areas. Key lessons will be shared among UKOTs, supported by practical training and mentoring. Objectives - A protected areas strategy for the Falkland Islands;
- Decision making framework for nomination, evaluation and designation of protected areas;
- Protected Areas legislation reviewed, including provisions for Marine Protected Areas;
- Protected Areas Monitoring capacity enhanced in the SAOTs;
- Awareness of the role/services provided by protected areas in South Atlantic OTs enhanced;
- State of Protected Areas Report
Main Activities Under Output 1: - Examine protected areas strategies in other jurisdictions;
- Engage stakeholders in defining roles and models/ options for protected areas;
- Identify and integrate relevant components of the Rural Development Strategy, Economic Development Strategy, and Biodiversity Strategy;
- Develop a Protected Areas Strategy reflective of community values;
- Publish Protected Areas Strategy.
Under Output 2: - Engage stakeholders in workshop to develop framework;
- Determine criteria for identifying and prioritising sites for advancement;
- Agree a process for nominating, evaluating, and creating protected areas;
- Publish Protected Areas Decision Making Framework;
- Support nomination of two marine sites for advancement as MPAs;
- Support production of recommendation paper for Executive Council that will result in Ramsar sites being designated as National Nature Reserves.
Under Output 3:- Review existing legislation that allows for formal designation of protected areas;
- Investigate models for protection of land and seascapes elsewhere, and potential for adapting to Falklands situation;
- Engage landowners and stakeholders in review/discussion of protected area strategy and models/options elsewhere;
- Recommend protected area models/options that reflect stakeholder interests;
- Recommend standard regulations for existing National Nature Reserves;
- Recommend means of incorporating concepts of Environmental Impact Assessment and Land Use Planning into protected areas strategy;
- Assess practicality of using NNR designation to protect marine areas, incorporating recommendations from SMSG (FAL602).
Under Output 4: - Develop monitoring tools in collaboration with landowners, international advisors;
- Agree a system for monitoring the integrity and effectiveness of protected areas in the Falklands and across OTs;
- Establish process and template for creation of management and monitoring plans;
- Establish regular reporting procedure for centralising monitoring data;
- Prepare a training module regarding the monitoring of protected areas suitable for private and public lands, and scientific, non-scientific audiences alike;
- Host training workshop for OT representatives in the Falkland Islands
- Support the drafting and implementation of management plans at Ramsar sites.
Under Output 5:- Support establishment of community co-management groups at Ramsar sites;
- Develop OT appropriate outreach materials regarding protected areas, and opportunities for involving landowners;
- Engage landowners and community members to generate protected areas models/options that are practical and effective;
- Use popular media outlets in all 3 OTs to promote protected areas information for youth and adults;
- Undertake public advocacy and education regarding Ramsar sites.
Under Output 6: - Produce map of existing protected areas, and known eco-regions of the Falkland Islands;
- Undertake MARXAN analysis;
- Produce priority list of eco-regions requiring protection;
- Analyse existing protected areas to determine which eco-regions are under-represented.
Risk Analysis Risk 1: Stakeholders reluctant to participate in Protected Areas Strategy development
Probability: Low
Impact: High
Management: Engagement of stakeholders during project development phase (Oct/Nov 2010).
Project is participatory in nature, seeks to incorporate different perspectives.
Outreach material will communicate ecological, cultural, and economic benefits of protected areas.
Stakeholders will have opportunity to develop practical protected area models that support economic and ecological goals. Risk 2: Stakeholders are not supportive of Marine Protected Areas.
Probability: Low
Impact: Medium
Management: Outreach materials specific to MPAs.
Relevant stakeholders already aware of project, engaged throughout.
MPAs support FIG commitments. Risk 3: Government does not sustain support for project.
Probability: Low
Impact: High
Management: Project supports FIG initiatives and priority actions outlined in FI Biodiversity Strategy.
Project supports FIG commitments to several international agreements.
Government representatives will sit on project steering committee.
Relevant officers are engaged in project development. Risk 4: FIG support for legislative review is not sustained.
Probability: Medium
Impact: Medium
Management: Scope of legislative work will depend on outcome of stakeholder consultation.
Project supports key national and international commitments of FIG.
FIG is engaged in project development. Risk 5: Unable to appoint Project Officer with necessary skills, knowledge and experience.
Probability: Low
Impact: High
Management: Recruitment process will seek skilled person with local knowledge.
Detailed job specifications in place.
References to be taken up.
MARXAN analysis contracted to specialist. Risk 6: Project collaborators fail to provide support/service.
Probability: Medium
Impact: Medium
Management: Local partners will be engaged through a steering committee.
International partners will receive regular progress reports and participate in conference calls.
A contingency plan is in place to sustain project if co-funding fluctuates from indicated levels. Risk 7: Inadequate time for consultations and data collation.
Probability: Low
Impact: Medium
Management: Ample time allotted for these tasks.
Majority of data is already owned by Falklands Conservation. Risk 8: Equipment, computers, software not available.
Probability: High (based on current resources)Impact: Low
Management: Timing of work is relatively flexible.
Technological requirements of project are budgeted within project. Stakeholder Analysis Organisations or stakeholder groups directly benefiting from the project: Falklands Conservation
Falkland Islands Government,
Falkland Islands Tourism Board,
Ascension Island Government,
St. Helena National Trust,
Landowners and stakeholders Cross-cutting issues Livelihoods
Falklands Conservation is engaged in the review and implementation of the Falkland Islands Economic Development Strategy, Rural Development Strategy, and the FI Biodiversity Strategy. This project aims to provide mechanisms and tools that ensure a balance between economic development (hydrocarbon exploration, commercial fishing) and biodiversity conservation by providing the foundation for a protected areas network. This project represents an opportunity to integrate biodiversity conservation with economic development goals for the benefit of people and biodiversity. Established conservation areas directly benefit tourism ventures while providing geographical clarity to proponents of commercial enterprises. Climate Change Aadaptation
This project aims to secure areas of significant biodiversity. These protected areas will support baseline monitoring and research that supports regional and international efforts to understand the impacts of climate change on marine and terrestrial organisms. Other Information Funded by FCO/DFID Overseas Territories Environment Programme, 2011, project no XOT 803
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