© Carlton Ward, Jr.
Ancilleno Davis, Conservation CoordinatorNorthern Caribbean Program
The Nature Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy and Marine Conservation in The BahamasMarine Conservation in The Bahamas
Introduction to the Introduction to the Northern Caribbean Program (NCP)Northern Caribbean Program (NCP)
• Mission: To preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
Program DirectorProgram DirectorEleanor PhillipsEleanor Phillips
Conservation PlannerConservation PlannerSharrah MossSharrah Moss
Senior Policy AdvisorSenior Policy AdvisorStacey MoultrieStacey Moultrie
Partnership CoordinatorPartnership CoordinatorElvardo ThompsonElvardo Thompson
Marine EcologistMarine EcologistFelicity BurrrowsFelicity Burrrows
Office AssistantOffice AssistantDorcas MillerDorcas Miller
Conservation Conservation CoordinatorCoordinator
Ancilleno DavisAncilleno Davis
NCP Work Caribbean Challenge Protected Areas Focus
Protected Area Trust National Implementation Support Program (NISP)
Bahamas Million Tree Campaign Invasive Species
Blue Project Institutional Strengthening of Partners Abaco Conservation Area Plan Andros Protected Area Project
Caribbean ChallengeCaribbean Challenge• Vision –
– to protect biodiversity and preserve human livelihoods across the Caribbean through sustainably managed protected area systems that are resilient to climate change and degradation impacts.
• Goal – Countries pledge to (5 have pledged so far);– expand marine protected area systems to include at least
20% of their near shore area by 2020; – to develop sustainable conservation finance mechanisms
for their national protected area systems; – and to develop ecosystem-based adaptation projects to
address the impacts of climate change.
Bahamas PA Trust Fund: Return on Bahamas PA Trust Fund: Return on InvestmentInvestment
TNC:Invests $2 million in new PA Trust
Government of The Bahamas:Invests $2 million in PA Trust
Implements $1 per person PA Fee = Generates $5 million/yr
Excess reinvested in PA Trust until $12 million reached
Net Result:$600K per year from PA Trust
$5 million per year from PA Fee
$5.6 million per year for PA System
Bahamas Million Tree Campaign Bahamas Million Tree Campaign • Launched in October 8, 2007 as a spin-off of UNEP
Billion Tree Campaign• Objectives
– Plant 1,000,000 native/indigenous trees throughout The Bahamas (end of 2009)
– Control of invasive species import/propagation– Encourage landscaping with native species– Encourage invasive species removal/consumption– Coastal concerns: Casuarina, melaleuca, mangroves,
buttonwood
The Blue Project
• Kerzner Marine Foundation funded• Primarily coral focused and aimed at coral reefs around the island of
New Providence• Seeks non-consumptive multi-use protection • dive, snorkel, research, but no fishing• Considerable amount of social research/marketing is needed• Enforcement would be an issue• Easier because it is closer to NP • More difficult due to lack of social buy in• Partners: dive/ tour operators, academia, fisheries personnel• Atlantis bed fees and Blue tourism provide funding sources.
Abaco Conservation Area Plan Abaco Conservation Area Plan (CAP)(CAP)
• Goal –to develop GIS layers of all conservation targets so that a MARXAN analysis could be conducted alongside the traditional CAP process, in order to better identify additional priority areas for conservation action.
• The information from the CAP is meant to feed into an overall strategic plan for Friends of the Environment and to help guide future support on the island from TNC.
Abaco CAP Conservation Targets Abaco CAP Conservation Targets
• Pine Forest• Coppice• Blueholes• Karst Caves• Groundwater Lens• Inland Water• Tall Mangroves• Tidal Creeks• Beaches and Beach Strand• Rocky Shores
• Coral Reef• Medium-High Density Sea
grass• Pelagic Areas• Conch • Spiny Lobster • Bahama Parrot• Dolphins (which species to
include?)• Spawning Aggregations
(grouper and snapper)• Important Bird Areas