Call for Expressions of Interest to Conduct a Socioeconomic Assessment

Improving Forest and Protected Area Management Project

Call for Expressions of Interest to Conduct a Socioeconomic assessment in and around six pilot protected areas

Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago (GCP/TRI/003/GFF) is a full scale project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through the Ministry of Planning and Development, the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).  The project’s overarching objective is to improve the sustainability of protected areas systems in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago Project (GCP/TRI/003/GFF) is issuing this Call for Expressions of Interest to Conduct a Socioeconomic assessment in and around six pilot protected areas in Trinidad and Tobago.

Please click the link below to see further details of this call:

Terms of Reference: Call for expressions of interest to conduct a Socioeconomic Assessment in and around six pilot protected areas

Applications should be submitted to:

Mrs. Neila Bobb-Prescott, Chief Technical Advisor at Neila.BobbPrescott@fao.org.

Deadline for submission of applications is: Monday 8^th May 2017.

Celebrating International Day of Forests

In observance of the International Day of Forests, celebrated on 21 March every year since 2013, the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" project published an article in the Newsday newspaper.

The article is focused on the diverse team of stakeholders who have "energized" this project since its inception.

Enjoy reading the article at this link.

Roundtable Discussion centres on Oil and Gas Operations in Protected Areas

The presence of oil and gas operations in the Victoria-Mayaro Forest Reserve as well as areas of the Trinity Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a key discussion point of the Trinity Hills and Eastern Extension Subcommittee for the pilot protected area (PPA). 

In order to recommend the boundaries of the proposed PPA, and arrive at an informed position that would consider implications for future management, the Subcommittee hosted a Roundtable Discussion on August 5^th 2016. 

The activity took place at the Forestry Division Visitor Centre, San Fernando Hill, San Fernando.

Click here to learn more about the discussion

Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago Project – Consultancy Available!

Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago (GCP/TRI/003/GFF) is a full scale project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through the Ministry of Planning and Development, the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).  The project’s overarching objective is to improve the sustainability of protected areas systems in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago Project (GCP/TRI/003/GFF) is advertising a consultancy to lead on the preparation of a National Protected Areas Systems Plan.  

Please click the link below to see further details of the consultancy:

 

Terms of Reference – Consultancy

Applications should be submitted to Neila Bobb-Prescott, Chief Technical Advisor at Neila.BobbPrescott@fao.org. 

Deadline for submission of applications is: Monday  11^th July, 2016.

Forging Forward: IFPAM Sub-Committees start work in pilot PAs

To date, the Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago”, (IFPAM) pilot protected area (PPA) sub-committees have formulated work plans for the 6 pilot sites under the IFPAM Project and have commenced implementation of their plans.  Three of the subcommittees have executed site visits to verify literature reviews on the ground and to improve their contextual understanding of management issues in their PPA so that they can formulate recommendations on the boundaries and level of protection required for their PPA.

These site visits occurred on: 

• March 4th, 2016: The Nariva PPA sub-committee gathered information on land use, hydrology, ecology, and threats on their site visit 

• March 11th, 2016: The Trinity Hills and eastern extension PPA sub-committee analysed issues concerning habitat fragmentation and edge effects; location of existing eastern boundary, and proposals for a new eastern boundary; challenges with coordinating monitoring efforts among multiple entities with responsibility for management; and improving the approach to the management of hunting of wildlife on their site visit
• March 18th, 2016: The Caroni Swamp PPA sub-committee explored issues on supporting sustainable  livelihoods at the pilot site.

The remaining PPA sub-committees have chosen other activities to start work on in their PPA.  The Matura PPA sub-committee is currently engaged in drafting a communication plan for the PPA.  This initiative, lead by the  Environmental Management Authority, includes a Knowledge, Attitude and Perception Survey of the 15 communities surrounding the PPA and the participatory development of a three-dimensional model of the PPA with the residents of the 15 communities.  The PPA sub-committee which manages the two PPAs in Tobago have focused their attention on coordinating research in the PPAs.

Site Visit by Subcommittee for Trinity Hills PPA on March 11th, 2016

Site Visit by Subcommittee for Caroni Swamp PPA on March 18th, 2016

Site Visit by Subcommittee for Nariva Swamp  on March 11th, 2016.

 Other outputs to be produced in the 1st year of the IFPAM Project are:

• National PA system plan
• Training of PA managers on interpretation and trail design
• A roadmap towards the preparation of Protected Areas Management Plans for the 6 pilot protected areas
• Work plan for the preparation of protected areas management plans for the 6 PPAs
• Plans for establishing the National Biodiversity Information System (NBIS)
• Baseline inventory, training and protocols for an ecological research and monitoring programme 
• A visibility strategy for the Project including a public education and awareness programme