Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya                                                  

Note to readers: We are now using a new IUCN platform for the WCPA Bulletin, and under this system, all WCPA members are on the newsletter list now, whether they opted in or not.

WCPA was pleased to co-chair the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) held in Vancouver, Canada from February 3 to 9, 2023. IMPAC5 brought together ocean conservation professionals, practitioners, indigenous people, local communities, scientists and high-level officials from around the world to inform, inspire, and share knowledge on marine protected areas (MPAs). Throughout the Congress, WCPA experts hosted side events and participated in numerous panels and presentations, providing strategic advice to policymakers to strengthen capacity and investment for MPA establishment and management. The outcomes IMPAC5 included showcasing the important role of MPAs in addressing the climate crisis, the role of Indigenous People and local communities, strengthening networks of cooperation for marine conservation, and driving forward support for the establishment of MPAs and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in marine regions under national jurisdictions and the high seas, which all will be key in reaching Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework (30x30 target). Click here to learn more about IMPAC5.

The purpose of the workshop was to present case studies that implement nature-based climate solutions in protected areas. This initiative aimed to support the International Protected and Conserved Areas Joint Statement on Climate Change and Biodiversity, which was signed by organisations worldwide at COP26 (2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference). Additionally, the workshop aimed to contribute to the development of the Best Practices Guidelines for Climate Change Mitigation in Protected and Conserved Areas, being prepared by this Specialist Group. The workshop was a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and also highlighted the challenges that need to be addressed. A full summary of the workshop can be found here. 

With the sudden passing of Dr. Kathy MacKinnon, former co-chair of the OECM Specialist Group, earlier in March this year, this group is being restructured. Dr. Stephen Woodley is acting as the interim co-chair. Dr. Harry Jonas remains as co-chair and there will be a call for Expressions of Interest for a new co-chair.

The OECMs workshop in Vilm, Germany (Feb 20–24, 2023), jointly organised by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and WCPA, went very well and actively engaged 40 participants from 22 countries across Europe and Central Asia. Interesting case studies were presented, with the potential for OECM qualification pending further assessment. The workshop highlighted the contrasting roles of OECMs within the EU and non-EU countries, providing insights into the European Commission's 30x30 initiative and country reporting on EU PAs. Notably, the 30% target will apply to the coverage of biogeographic regions within the EU as a whole, whereas countries outside the EU are likely to focus on their own national contributions, which highlights different challenges and opportunities. A discussion paper with key findings and recommendations is in preparation.

The Sustainable Finance Specialist Group has embarked on a process to revise the global good practice guidelines on sustainable finance for protected and conserved areas. The revision of the guidelines will aim to share the most recent, innovative, and practical information from around the world on how finance solutions for area-based conservation can be developed to enhance the critical role that these places provide for nature and people. Coordinated by Co-Chairs, Candice Stevens and the newly appointed Co-Chair David Meyers, the revision process was launched with a writing workshop on Good Practice for Sustainable Finance for Protected and Conserved Areas on the Isle of Vilm. The process will involve regular stakeholder engagement and the inputs of many diverse experts. Contact the Co-Chairs for more information and follow the work of the Specialist Group here.

The  Achieving the global commitment to 30x30 will entail a significant expansion of Protected and Conserved Areas (PCAs), which will increase the frequency and risk of conflict between humans and wildlife. The burden of HWC falls most heavily on low-income rural communities that co-exist with wildlife. This poses a challenge to the achievement of 30x30 in an effective, equitable, and inclusive manner. A new Task Force co-chaired by Dr Duan Biggs from Northern Arizona University and Dr Isla Hodgson from the University of Stirling will address this challenge. The Task Force will build on the efforts of the IUCN SSC Specialist Group on Human Wildlife Conflict and Co-Existence and explore the incorporation of HWC considerations into management standards for PCAs such as the IUCN Green List.  

There is currently a great deal of uncertainty around how a growing proliferation of types (or classifications) of area-based conservation measures relate to each other, and thus how they can be recognized for their contributions to biodiversity outcomes. A group met near London on 9–11 May to identify significant points of confusion, particularly between protected areas and OECMs; identify areas where further clarity or guidance is needed; and outline steps that IUCN WCPA can take to ensure that all forms of area-based conservation contribute effectively to biodiversity Target 3, “30x30”. The next step is to shape the workshop results into a work plan for a larger Task Force group going forward. This effort is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. 

Under the auspices of, and with the participation, of his Excellency the Minister of Environment, Dr. Nasser Yassin, and in the framework of the global roadmap that seeks to protect 30% of both land and sea by 2030, and within the framework of BioConnect, an EU funded project, that aims to enhance the management and governance of sites of ecological importance and encourage the creation of new protected areas and OECMs, to protect landscape and biodiversity, all in southern Lebanon, the Shouf Biosphere Reserve and the World Committee for Protected Areas (WCPA) held a webinar under the title of “Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and their Contribution to the Biodiversity in Lebanon” in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The recording of the webinar can be viewed here.

Usually, after hard work comes the reward, and for MPA practitioners and scientists this day gave a short, sharp, and stunning look at how melding Indigenous leadership and traditional methods of protecting a marine and coastal environment can create areas of tranquillity, closeness to nature, and sustainable use of these areas. Even on a small scale, as some of the islands definitely are. Conversations count, and they ranged from how much IMPAC5 meant to MPA professionals and scientists who work as individuals or with tiny groups, to the lessons learned on the effectiveness of Indigenous leadership, seen clearly on the tour, and youth participation. Read more here.

The Government of Albania has declared the Vjosa river, which is the last wild river in Europe, a National Park. This decision was taken during the meeting of the Albanian executive on March 13 and was made public by the Minister of Environment, Mirela Kumbaro. The declaration of the Vjosa River National Park means that no construction that affects the river will be allowed, including the hydropower plants that have caused a great debate in Albania, but have also brought the reaction of several international organisations. Minister Kumbaro stated that the management plan for this area will be drawn up very soon, which will specify where traditional areas, eco-tourism can be developed, and where the part of strict protection will be and no type of intervention will be allowed. Read more in the press release here.

On May 4 and 5, the University of Vienna and the Danube Floodplain National Park hosted a "River Restoration Study Tour" jointly organised by WCPA Europe and the Danube Floodplain National Park Company. The aim of the event was to exchange technical information on river engineering measures such as the renaturation of tributaries, the restoration of banks and other ecological improvements in regulated river systems. For this purpose, about 20 experts from around Europe attended. Excursions to already implemented project measures by boat and on foot in the Lower Austrian part of the Danube Floodplain National Park were an important part of the program. Furthermore, relevant topics in the field of river system protection were discussed in a workshop, such as the controversy about habitat conservation and the promotion of dynamics in floodplain systems, as well as the topic of "rewilding". The event yielded valuable results on possible action items related to what WCPA could do to further facilitate and support river restoration activities.

WCPA, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Belgian Biodiversity Platform organised a Technical Workshop on 'Implementing the new Global Biodiversity Framework: Making Target 3 work for People and Nature' on 15th May 2023 at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels. The workshop was divided into four main sessions, each of which focused on a critical aspect of implementing Target 3 under the Global Biodiversity Framework, including ensuring ecological representativeness; ensuring benefits to people, marine and inland water conservation, and supporting and financing implementation. Read more here. 

Good news from Australia with the state of Victoria’s decision to end native forest logging — a vital decision given the immense damage to habitat, not only from over exploitation, but from repeated fire disasters. It is hoped that this will start a trend among other states, as most Australian forests have been decimated. Read more here.

 
The Our Ocean Conference in Panama, with the theme ‘Our Ocean, Our Connection’, concluded with more than 600 delegates, 341 new commitments worth nearly $20 billion. Commitments include the designation of marine protected areas — one of the six  areas of action of Our Ocean Conferences — highlighting the expansion of "Banco Volcan Resource Management Area" in the Caribbean, now protecting 54,3% of Panama´s EEZ. WCPA participated in several side events and meetings such as in the launch of the Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation Planning Tool (CC-RAPT) for MPAs and Marine OECMs coordinated by NOAA and the WCPA Marine. WCPA also participated in the workshop Marine Corridor in the South Pacific organised by MERI Foundation and the Government of Chile. 

Title: Respecting the rights and leadership of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in realizing global goals. “Only by recognizing the rights, knowledge, innovations, and values of Indigenous Peoples and local communities will we be able to push forward the global agenda to sustainably use and conserve biodiversity.”—Lakpa Nuri Sherpa, an Indigenous leader from Nepal. 

IUCN, and WCPA in particular, has benefitted greatly from a long partnership with the International Academy for Nature Conservation (INA), a unit at the Budesamt für Naturschutz, the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. The INA is both a program and a place, Insel Vilm, a small island in the Baltic Sea, where BfN hosts conservation conversations of small groups, with a big impact.

Since BfN and IUCN signed a partnership agreement in 2016, the INA has co-hosted over 35 expert workshops and trainings on a wide array of topics relevant to the advancement of global goals in nature conservation. Workshops hosted on Vilm have framed many knowledge products of WCPA, on topics including OECMs; PA finance; assessing benefits of PAs; privately protected areas; cultural and spiritual significance of nature; geoheritage, and impacts of climate change on World Heritage.

BfN is very active in building capacity for future conservation leaders. One of its most known capacity building programs is the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme for Future Leaders in Nature Conservation from Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, of which IUCN is one of the strategic partners.

The island of Vilm is a protected area, a nature reserve designated in 1936, with a portion of its 94 hectares strictly protected, with no visitation allowed. We are grateful for having such a fitting place for experts to meet, debate issues and formulate solutions.

On March 18 this year, the conservation field lost one of its greatest champions. The late Dr. Kathy MacKinnon, who is the former Chair of WCPA and was co-head of the WCPA OECM Specialist Group, worked tirelessly and passionately on protected and conserved areas for decades. In her words, “Protected areas of many kinds not only give sanctuary to the wonder of 4.5 billion years of evolution but, in holding species and ecosystems, they protect the fundamental underpinning of human livelihoods, economies and wellbeing. They are a key tool in maintaining the sustainability of life on Earth and in combatting the ravages of climate change”. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. WCPA is dedicated to preserving and honouring her legacy by continuing the work she was passionate about to the best of our ability. IUCN created a dedicated page for Dr. Kathy Mackinnon as a tribute here, and very recently, an obituary was published about her in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. 

Gordon Miller, one of the founders of the International Ranger Federation (IRF), a partner of WCPA, passed away in May 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was inspired to devote his future to working in the newly established national park after a school camp in his teens, starting as a volunteer, eventually managing the wild moorland of Kinder Scout. Gordon was a pioneer for rangers and saw his vision for a “worldwide family of rangers” come to fruition in the IRF. He spent his working life as a ranger in the Peak District, Britain’s oldest national park, and was a generous soul, never happier than when chatting with ranger colleagues from across the planet. His full obituary can be found here. 

Publications are a major output from WCPA. There are two major publication series, Good Practice Series for Protected and Conserved Areas and Technical Report Series, which are developed with global contributions and peer review (and wherever possible, published in multiple languages), a peer-reviewed journal, PARKS, and the shorter topical WCPA’s Technical Note Series. To find out more, visit the publishing with WCPA page.