KAP surveys soon to get underway

In 2016-2017, the Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago project undertook a series of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices surveys in communities surrounding six protected areas of the project's focus.  The data gathered in these surveys, supplied information about people's knowledge and interaction or lack therefore with these protected areas, and advised communication plans for the six sites.

Now, towards the end of this four-year project, these surveys are being repeated, to determine whether areas of positive feedback are sustained and if areas of lack of awareness or knowledge have improved.  The surveys are preceded by training/re-training of enumerators in a series of training workshops, the first of which took place in the village of Plum Mitan today. 

Surveys will begin in communities surrounding the Nariva Swamp, Trinity Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Tobago's NE marine area and Main Ridge Forest Reserve next week.

Surveys in communities surrounding Caroni Swamp and Matura National Park will begin on 25 November 2019.

Results of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey: Caroni Swamp

Following the conduct of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices surveys in communities surrounding pilot protected areas in Matura and Tobago, a similar exercise was carried out in communities surrounding the
Caroni Swamp.  This activity was undertaken in the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" project being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT).

Scarlet Ibis at the Caroni Swamp
Photograph courtesy: Tourism Development Authority

These surveys provide some insight on how the local people value these sites and their views on the protected area designation that is applied to the sites.  Additionally, the survey is able to uncover knowledge gaps and gain information on what is known about the area by those who live in close proximity to the sites.

Summarized information from the survey undertaken around the Caroni Swamp shows that people are knowledgeable about the Swamp and the threats that impact on its viability.  Many understand its ecological importance and others its economic value, and others shared views on how its management can be improved.

Read more about these findings at this link.

Results of Survey on Protected Areas in Tobago

A knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey was undertaken in communities surrounding two pilot protected area sites in Tobago in August 2016.  The survey polled residents on the protected status of the Main Ridge Forest Reserve and the proposed North East Tobago Marine pilot protected area (the latter site located around the north eastern tip of the island from the northern village of Castara to the village of Roxborough on the southern side of the island).

The survey revealed that most persons are aware of the Main Ridge Forest Reserve and its value as a watershed in replenishing the island’s supply of freshwater. While the North East Tobago Marine area is a proposed site, residents attached an important economic as well as environmental value to the site.  The survey also revealed that people in general are not aware of the boundaries of these sites, nor the flora and fauna found there; some are also uncertain of who are the managers of these sites.

The results of the survey contribute important information about people’s general knowledge about these two sites and will assist in the development of a targeted communication strategy that can address knowledge gaps and curb negative practices that impact on the management of these protected areas.  

The report on the knowledge, attitudes and practices survey can be found at this link.

Results of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey in Tobago

During the month of August 2016, a team of survey enumerators visited the villages surrounding the two pilot protected areas in Tobago, in order to carry out a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices

(KAP) survey.  The information was collected from over 400 respondents generally in the northeastern half of the island.

The results of the survey were presented to the stakeholders representing various organizations on the Tobago Subcommittee for the two pilot sites – the Main Ridge Forest and the proposed North East Tobago Marine pilot protected areas.

These stakeholders then took part in a facilitated discussion of the results, to propose strategies for public communication to improve on areas where knowledge is lacking, where positive attitudes and behaviours need to be stimulated and to support existing programmes where positive actions with successful impacts are already underway.

Please click here for a summary of the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey results.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey underway in Tobago

What does the average person know about forests and protected areas?  What value if any is attached to them?  Do people play a part in protecting and managing these natural resources?  In an effort to investigate the answers to these and other questions that are relevant to the six pilot protected areas, a “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices” survey was initiated in Tobago at the end of July 2016. 

This activity was kicked off by a training session held with staff and interns of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) and the Fisheries Division. 

The survey will capture views of people living in the general area of the two pilot protected areas in Tobago and will advise a communication strategy for the project. 

Click here for a full report on the training activity and the first day of field work.