Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago (2015-2020)

Project Profile

Background:

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) initiated policy reforms aimed at preventing biodiversity loss and improving the management protected areas (PAs), with the adoption of new PA and Forest policies in 2011 and a new National Wildlife Policy in 2013.  In line with these activities the Government subsequently requested financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to design and implement this four year project.  This project has four key aspects:

  • contribute to developing a new national Protected Area system
  • develop and test new financial mechanisms needed to support Protected Areas
  • enhance management effectiveness through piloting management arrangements in pilot Protected Areas which could be later replicated in other Protected Areas and
  • build the skills and expertise of staff with responsibility to manage Protected Areas in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

 Key aspects of project execution:

The project featured a participatory approach to arrive at recommendations for management plans at six pilot sites.  The pilot sites were chosen because they were representative of the management issues in Trinidad and Tobago and have globally important biodiversity and ecosystems.  The six pilot sites were:

Stakeholder subcommittees were formed at each pilot site, comprising representatives of Government ministries and agencies and non-governmental groups including community groups.  These teams spearheaded sharing of information, ground truthing and discussions to propose boundary demarcation and conservation objectives for the pilot sites.

 

Funding:

Total project cost = USD 30,510,074

 

Project outputs:

  • Draft National legislation for establishing and managing Protected Areas
  • Management plans for six pilot protected areas (named above)
  • A National Protected Area System Plan covering at least 214,000 ha consolidated to ensure adequate coverage of all important ecosystems
  • Resources, Protected Area staff capacity and infrastructure needed for effective Protected Area management built in six Protected Areas
  • A Sustainable Financing System for long-term management of the Protected Areas System and a Forestry and Protected Areas (FPA) Fund established
  • Results-based management and effective communication to stakeholders that ensures effective delivery of the outputs and sustainability of the project outcomes