The importance of training and awareness

Hanns Kirchmeir, E.C.O. Institute for EcologyIn Cooperation with:

• Federal Agricultural Research and Education Centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein

• Technical University of Vienna

Gap Analysis

• legal procedures for the application of directives • management and organizational structures • ecological assessment • socio-economic dimension

Transnational tools and strategy for the better management and implementation of Natura 2000 sites

• Joint Transnational Action Plans• Common Monitoring Tool • Tools for further implementation:

– Training Needs Assessment– IPAM Expert System– Financial Portfolio

Results:

Joint transnational action plans

• Goal• Consistent methodology and structure all over Europe• Target group• Decision makers (assignment)• Protected area manager or consultancy (preparation)• Requisites• Comprehensive information on the target species or habitat• Personal contact to nature conservation experts from

different countries

3 Action plans for species• White stork (Phalacrocorax pygmeus)• Pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus)• Fen Orchid (Liparis loeselii)

3 Action plans for habitats• Calcareous fens (7210, 7230)• Coastal habitats (2110, 2120, 2130, 2250• Freshwater habitats (3130, 92A0)

Monitoring Tool

• Content: – Definition of a monitoring method

• Goal: – Allow evaluation of current conservation status of habitats and

species– Specific action planning on the management level

• Objective:– To monitor the effectiveness of conservation actions

• Methodological approach:– developed in a transnational process of knowledge exchange

All gaps show: Missing capacity

• individual competence• organization and network• financial resources

To tell the truth: planning and managing Protected Areas is a hard work.

Integration of different

interests !

Communicating!Marketing!Deciding!Financing!

Creating benefits!

Diversity of categories !

International requirements,

regional demands !

Diversity of approaches!

Diversity of technical issues !

Permanent lack of ressources !

There are three golden rules, how to properly manage a Protected Area.

Unfortunately, nobody knows them.

Undoubtably, highly skilled and motivated personalities are the key to sucess.

Protected Areas: Solution

The Vision: The knowledge

exchange system of protected areas

exchange inside the PA – old and young staff

exchange by involving the knowledge of regional

stakeholders

Individual Competence

job profile for the management of protected areas is missing

Technical competencies: languages, IT, accounting, maintenance, etc.)

Tools and skills for Protected Areas: visitor management, finances, conservation, law enforcement, etc.

Integrated Management of Protected Areas

Technical staff, rangers, field guides

Middle management level

Directors, heads of administration

Exemplary individual competencies Exemplary institutional competencies =

sum of all individual competencies

Gained success

Within the Be-Natur project we provided 33 trainings with local stakeholder involvement

Observed findings:Barriers for Trainings

• Organisationally– No appraisal for knowledge/skill improvement– no money for training– no time for staff training

Stakeholder involvement and Awareness rising

Young people are important

… but don’t forget decision makers!!!

Results for young people

• Didactic brochure on wetland habitats

But also adult people have been reached

• By trainings• Excursions• Stakeholder involvement

Finding of Stakeholder involvement:

Protected Manager in place+

Communication capacity=

Private landowners will implement measures

Organization and network

• every site should be supported and supervised by a competent and trained person

• This person/institution serves as the direct contact for all stakeholder groups

• coordination and networking between individual sites • installation of a centralized institution would significantly

improve and foster the effectiveness of current management (Natura 2000 Centers of Excellence)

• Self assessment of management status • Sharing of results and experiences • Searching for specific information and new developments• The system consists of three components

– Self-assessment – Recommendations – Knowledge Base

Presentet tool: IPAM – Self Assessment and Knowledge Base

The toolbox refers to the life cycle and the integrated management approach

Training contents

ww.ipam.info

Financial Portfolio for Protected Area Management

“ The performance of a protected area is closely linked to the financial resources of the site”

• Financial „gap analysis“ giving an orientation on the financial planning of protected areas

• Visualisation of the complexity of funding strategies

Sources of funding• International:

– Multilateral banks – Global Environment Facility

(GEF)– Bilateral development co-

operation agencies etc.– …

• National- level:– Taxes, levies, surcharges and tax

incentives– Tax deduction schemes– Grants from private foundations– …

• Site-level:– User fees– Cause-related marketing– Adoption programmes– …

Basic scheme showing the system of prioritizing among finance mechanisms

Thank you for your attention!