Protected areas study tour for Haitian government agencies and key partners
Description of project:
CANARI has facilitated numerous processes and conducted research and capacity development on key areas relevant to participatory protected area (PA) planning and management across the Caribbean islands. During 24-26 June, 2015, CANARI facilitated a study tour in Trinidad and Tobago to enhance the awareness and understanding of senior Haitian government officials and their key partners responsible for protected areas in Haiti about different PA management systems and arrangements and the benefits of co-management arrangements.
This project was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Haiti office as part of a larger initiative to build the capacity of the National System of Protected Areas in Haiti, le Système National d’Aires Protégées (SNAP).
Highlights:
On June 24-26, 2015, CANARI facilitated a study tour of the protected area system in Trinidad and Tobago for 12 participants from Haitian government agencies and other key partners responsible for protected areas in Haiti.
Key activities and results:
CANARI facilitated a study tour on participatory protected area planning and management during 22-27 June, 2015 in Trinidad and Tobago for 12 senior officials from Haitian government agencies and other key partners responsible for protected areas in Haiti. Participants represented the Haitian Ministry of Environment, the National Agency for Protected Areas, the Ministry of Culture, the Maritime and Navigation Services of Haiti, the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, the Tourism Association of Haiti, UNDP, Helvetas and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The study tour included visits to the Matura National Park, Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Caroni Swamp as well as a panel discussion on the Aripo Savannas Environmentally Senstive Area with key stakeholders. A series of discussion and debate were facilitated by CANARI between the Haitian participants and key stakeholders at the various sites in Trinidad including the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Forestry Division, local NGOs and community groups such as Nature Seekers, the University of the West Indies and local community members. Involving local communities and organisations in protected area management through co-management arrangements was highlighted as a way to support the overall system of protected areas and bring benefits to local communities.
Participants enhanced their awareness and understanding of:
- various management arrangements for protected areas and their characteristics;
- principles and tools for participatory protected area planning and management;
- the potential role that local organisations and communities can play in co-management of protected areas; and
- institutions and experts from the Caribbean that are likely to collaborate with Haitian protected area management agencies and their partners.
For more information, contact Nicole Leotaud, Executive Director nicole@canari.org
See related work under CANARI’s Civil Society and Governance programme.