National Inception Workshops - BIOREACH Project

BIOREACH: Biodiversity Conservation and Agroecological Land Restoration in Productive Landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago

Project Preparation Grant (PPG) Inception Meetings

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation’s (FAO/UN) project preparation team is leading the development of a Project Document (for the BIOREACH: Biodiversity Conservation and Agroecological Land Restoration in Productive Landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago project) in collaboration and consultation with relevant Agencies and stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago. The outcome document is to be completed by March 2020, for submission to Global Environment Facility (GEF) for their endorsement.

In light of this, on October 8^th and 10^th 2019 the BIOREACH Project Inception Workshops were held at the Cara Suites in Claxton Bay, Trinidad, and at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort in Tobago.

The workshops were geared at creating awareness among national stakeholders about the Project, and getting their feedback on the design of the Project.

Participants were informed through presentations on different components of the Project (which seeks to address threats to our local biodiversity and productive landscapes from human encroachment, forest fires and unsustainable practices); and also participated in several group discussions, with the aim of assisting in the development of a Project proposal that when completed will result in a well-drafted proposal with the potential to achieve sustainable and effective results.

The presentations delivered during the Inception Workshops can be found below:

1. Project Components
2. Project Outline and Objectives
3. Socio-Environmental Analysis

Attendees at the Trinidad Workshop Listen to a Presentation Delivered by Mr. Asif Khan, PPG National Coordinator

Group Presentation during the Trinidad Leg of the PPG Inception Workshop

Dr. Claus Eckelmann, Lead Technical Officer - FAO/ UN Addressng Tobago Invitees

Group Discussions at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort in Tobago

First Pilot Protected Area Subcommittee launched!

A key strategy in the Forest and Protected Area Policy (2011) is participatory management.  One of the mechanisms being employed under the Improving Forest and Protected Area Management (IFPAM) Project is the use of Subcommittees for each site.  The Subcommittees are made up of key stakeholders for each pilot site.  They will advise the Project Steering Committee (PCU) on actions specific to matters pertaining to their respective pilot protected area (PA) site and advise the Project Coordinating Unit on general management directions and on technical matters related to their respective pilot PA site.

 

The first meeting of the Trinity Hills and eastern extension pilot PA Subcommittee was convened on 24^th August, 2015 at the Forestry Division’s Rio Claro office. Organisations serving on this Subcommittee include Forestry Division, The Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Petrotrin), Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club, the Environmental Management Authority and the South Eastern Hunters Association.

At the first meeting, it was evident that this mechanism of using Subcommittees would contribute to improving coordination of management actions and sharing of information. For this Subcommittee, its first meeting resulted in the formulation of objectives and initiated discussions to select actions to implement for the next year in the pilot PA. 

 

 Subcommittee members listening as the PCU facilitates a session detailing the context for management in the PA

Dr. David Persaud, Environmental Manager - EPPD, shares the rationale for the boundaries of the PA with Subcommittee members.

>> For background information, project and other key documentation, and progress updates on the IFPAM Project, go to the "GEF Forests and PAs Project" Page