east nimba nature reserve protected area management...

Nimba Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia Biodiversity Conservation Programme 2011-2015

East Nimba Nature Reserve

Protected Area Management Planning and Implementation

Report on the Ganta Workshop, 24 to 26 April 2013

Owen Henderson, Business Presentation Group (Pty) Ltd.

VERSION DATE: 31 MAY 2013

ArcelorMittal Liberia Ltd.

P.O. Box 1275 Tubman Boulevard at 15

th Street

Sinkor, Monrovia Liberia

T +231 77 018 056

www.arcelormittal.com

in partnership with

Conservation International Foundation 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500

Arlington Virginia 22202

United States of America

Western Range Iron Ore Project, Liberia

Biodiversity Conservation Programme, 2011-2015 ENNR Planning and Implementation Workshop, Ganta, April 2013 – Report

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Contents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ 3

2. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 5 2.1 Delegates’ Aspirations ............................................................................................................ 5 2.2 Workshop Purpose and Design .............................................................................................. 7 2.3 Opening remarks ..................................................................................................................... 8 2.4 Workshop methodology .......................................................................................................... 9

3. QUESTIONS ADDRESSED IN THE WORKSHOP ...................................................................... 10 3.1 Question 1: Practising the Method ........................................................................................ 10 3.2 Question 2: Importance of the Nimba Mountains .................................................................. 12 3.3 Question 3: Considering Strategic Challenges and Opportunities........................................ 13 3.4 Question 4: Future Visions for the ENNR ............................................................................. 17

4. DEVELOPING THE VISION FOR THE ENNR ............................................................................. 22

5. TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS .................................................................................................. 26 5.1 Presentation on Conservation Agreements by Conservation International .......................... 26 5.2 Presentation on CMC Capacity by Fauna and Flora International ....................................... 27

6. MOVING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ENNR FORWARD ....................................................... 28 6.1 Question 5: Implementation Plans ........................................................................................ 28 6.2 Question 6: CMC Effectiveness ............................................................................................ 30 6.3 Assessing the Level of Alignment in the Workshop .............................................................. 31

7 COMMITMENTS ........................................................................................................................... 32

8. FINALISATION .............................................................................................................................. 34 8.1 Final Resolutions ................................................................................................................... 34 8.2 Next steps ............................................................................................................................. 35

List of Abbreviations AML ArcelorMittal Liberia

BioPA Biodiversity Preliminary Assessment

DSO Direct Shipping Ore

ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

FDA Forestry Development Authority

GIS Geographic Information System

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature

Acknowledgements

ArcelorMittal Liberia and Conservation International gratefully acknowledge the support of the representatives of the communities around the East Nimba Nature Reserve and the various forest management entities, the Nimba County Authorities, the Government of Liberia agencies, and the other development agencies and non-governmental organisations, that participated actively in the workshop recorded in this report.



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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report documents the proceedings of an ArcelorMittal-sponsored workshop held in Ganta, Nimba County, Liberia on the 24 to 26 April 2013 in partnership with Conservation International (CI). A stakeholder participation methodology was used to identify mutual interests, issues to be addressed and objectives regarding future management of the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR), in order to reach consensus and develop an interim management plan for the ENNR. Altogether 42 participants attended the workshop including representatives from local communities, the ENNR Co-Management Committee, community forestry management bodies, government, and local and international conservation and development NGOs. Throughout the workshop participants were asked a series of questions designed to lead to an agreed vision for the ENNR and a strategy to realise the vision. To begin participants clarified stakeholder priorities and interests, identified the issues to be addressed and the challenges and opportunities in the region. Participants were then asked to consider what they wanted the ENNR and its management to look like in five years’ time, how this could be achieved and how easy it would be to achieve. The conditions and requirements that would have the most positive impact on the ENNR were then prioritised, and seven thematic areas developed from these objectives and rated for further discussion and development including:

1. effective co-management structure with clear role and responsibilities 2. effective broad stakeholder and community participation and engagement 3. effective human resources and capacitated people and management in place 4. ENNR is delivering biodiversity benefits through effective conservation management using

effective tools like conservation agreements 5. ENNR is addressing and influencing the broader development / livelihoods agenda through

effective co-management 6. developing eco-tourism in the ENNR and research capacity 7. sustainable finance mechanism established for future management 8. effective management plan in place

Building on these responses a long term- vision for the ENNR was proposed and agreed as follows:

ENNR will become a role model for biodiversity conservation by co-management between the Government, communities and stakeholders for the benefit of everyone

ENNR will be the best protected area in Liberia and will be famous internally for co-management eco-tourism and research

During the first day a debate arose about the legality of the CMC which led some participants to question the recognition of the CMC as a legal entity by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA). However, this issue was resolved through a formal statement given by the Acting Managing Director of the FDA, Honorable Harrison Karnwea that the Act creating the ENNR and the Co-Management Agreement were both legal and the FDA respects the current co-management agreement as legal and binding, and the FDA agrees that local communities must be part of ENNR management. The second day began with two short presentations – one from CI about conservation agreements (CA), which explained how CA’s can be used as a tool to support the management plan for the ENNR and provided an update on the progress made so far by CI in piloting CAs in northern Nimba. Fauna and Flora International (FFI) then presented their findings from a recent CMC capacity building workshop. The forum went on to list the actions that could be implemented in the next 6 months as follows:

1. Establish a technical guidance committee 2. Develop a management plan for the ENNR 3. Procure a consultant to write the management plan 4. Develop Terms of Reference (ToRs) for CMC members in order to define roles and

responsibilities 5. Identify quick impact projects for conservation agreements 6. Finalize 2 conservation agreements



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7. Collate data from all partners related to the ENNR for the management planning process 8. Refine budget and solicit funding to facilitate ENNR management 9. Provision of basic equipment and materials for ENNR operations 10. Define roles and responsibilities of the FDA auxiliaries (develop ToR) 11. Review and harmonize the Act establishing the ENNR and the Co-Management Agreement

(CMA) 12. Re-clean the ENNR boundary 13. Agree and appropriate government structure 14. Partners to clarify their roles and specify commitments to the management of the ENNR 15. Public awareness and education about the biological significance of the ENNR 16. Establish research priorities 17. Clean the road to the ENNR

Partners were requested to consider the actions and to formally state the roles and commitments they were able to undertake in the overall implementation process. The last day saw a significant debate about the overall management objective for the ENNR and whether it should remain managed as a strictly protected area or whether the park should be a multiple use reserve. The forum discussed the pros and cons of each management regime with stakeholders giving their views on how the park should be managed and the tools they believed could be used to implement their preferred management objectives. Following the open debate, the communities took the opportunity to deliberate the issue in a separate discussion and came back with the landmark decision that the ENNR should be managed as a strict nature reserve for the next five years dependent on certain conditions being met including: implementation of community development; provision of education (scholarship) vocational training; livelihood development; health and sanitation to be addressed; road development; pay community representatives on the CMC (ENNR) management; employment opportunity for the locals and that an MOU be signed between the various partners to document their commitment and contribution to ENNR. It was mutually agreed that progress will be reviewed every 6 months with a major review in 3 years. Finally participants identified the following next steps:

Notes from workshop written and disseminated in one week

Forum to meet and review progress in 6 months’ time on the 26th October 2013 (partners to

provide updates and work plan for next 6 months)

CMC to inform community about the decisions taken at this workshop

Nimba Biodiversity Stakeholders Forum to meet 8th May 2013 in Monrovia to agree support

and plan for implementation



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2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 Delegates’ Aspirations

My name is … I work as … My expectations are … My personal contribution to make this workshop a success is ...

Owen Henderson Little as possible Agreement on action / short term

Get us through the agenda (keep time)

Harrison S. Karnwea MD of FDA

Catfish Brownell Env Management BHP Billiton / Euro Nimba

See that the ENNR is re-defined / mapped and remain a strict conservation area

Rehabilitation trials, provide suggestion ... trans-boundary ... re-mapping ... remove 1 km area of existing rail line outside ENNR

Darlington Tuagben NRM specialist USAID

Provide a clearer understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each CMC member

Contributing meaningfully to ensure the success of this workshop

Harry S. Carson EPA / Nimba Liberia

Community to know about forest protection and members are quality trained and created income

To participate ... to plan for ENNR ... to have the success of the implementation

D. Nuah Biah Prosper forestry officer

Reach conclusion on ENNR management ... develop work plan for ENNR

Full participation and provide useful information

Darlington Jacobs Community Forest Management Body GBA community

Be respected in the co-management as per our agreement from this workshop

Reach decisions that our future generations will know

Edward G. Gbeintor Wild Life manager at FDA

Find a better way in solving the many problems at ENNR

Contribute my best to the success of the workshop

John Mantor Vice President Exc

To come to one understanding and to fully involve the community people

Fully take part in the workshop

Jonathan W. Davies Biodiversity Co-ordinator & Nat’l FP for BD at EPA

An effective strategy to manage ENNR in Nimba County

My contribution will be to share knowledge and experience with participants

Morris B. Kamara PA management at FDA

agreed actions for the future of ENNR

full participation in the discussion of issues

Korvah K. Vanyanbah FDA and member of CMC

To see all stakeholders give a well defined role in Snr ENNR management

Contribute as much as possible meaningfully

Barry Bond ZPR community EC President

Fully involvement in co-management of the ENNR

To participate and understand what the management plans are

U. Y. Karsiah

Community forest management body chairman in ZPR community

At the end of this workshop the community contributes a sound decision in the ENNR management plans

Talk on behalf of the community and take the message back

Peter Z. Gohn Conservation agriculture technician ARS

All issues pertaining to the welfare of the community dweller is resolved

Full participation

James Karmen CMC SHYI community

Improvement of CMC through capacity building and sustainable initiatives

Full management plan for ENNR is put in place

Joe Dryer CMC Full involvement of CMC in the management of ENNR

Take part and listen carefully to take the message back



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Martin AT Vesselee Community worker The community will fully understand

Fully participate in the workshop by providing meaningful information

Eddy Niesen CI Consensus on using conservation agreements

Apply global experience with conservation agreements

D. Bartoa Barthuah GOL/MIA rep ZOR community

My community to be part of the conservation of ENNR

Participate in the workshop for my expectations to be met

Cooper Walaka Clan Chief

Theo Freeman Head FDA Objectives to be met My participation and input

Gabriel D. Gbanlon District commissioner

Government should galvanise her effort in protecting the ENNR as observed in our neighbouring communities, people living around the ENNR

Furnish the audience with information that will help my citizens to effectively work with FDA in the management of the ENNR collectively

Joseph N. Greene FDA / ENNR All stakeholders roles will be defined for ENNR management

To share ideas for the effective assistance of ENNR

Gaye Dokpah Community member on CMC

Community fully involved in ENNR

Contribute information to the decisions of ENNR

Dada S. Konkah CMC community representative

Management plan for proper implementation

Maintain my position and fully contribute to the 3 day workshop

Helten Weansuoi CMC Chaplain Community to be fully looked at

ENNR management to be put in place

Edward Smallwood FDA / CMC at ENNR zone warden

Workshop produce a work plan for ENNR

Participate in the discussion

Alvin Poure AML

Setting up and reaching an agreement on a management plan for the ENNR

Ideas that will ensure the sustainable management of the ENNR

Jessica Allen Conservationist Make ENNR and surrounding area a success story in Liberia

Participate fully and carry results forward in all forums

Samual G. Johnson Secretary Exec Committee GBA

Communities to have a sustainable benefit

Ask questions and understand

Renee A. Murray

Programme co-ordinator conservation international

Community take full control of decisions

Listen and make input significant to the process on agenda

Roger Luke Park Warden at ENNR

Manageable solutions will be derived on ENNR

Fully contribute towards the success of this workshop

Borwen L. Sayon Conservation Practitioner

Will be sustainably management into the future

This smart to address ENNE sustainability and community livelihoods

John Howell ArcelorMittal Liberia environmental adviser

An agreed way forward for the communities FDA and AML to work towards sustaining the ENNR

Information support and an undertaking to try to continue support from AML for conservation initiatives

Phil Marshall

Consultant with FFI protected Areas and management plan expert

Decision on ENNR status and NTFP’s etc

Will try to provide good input

Jens Lund Hansen FFI Fauna and Flora international Liberia

All it takes to real results Clarification (pending issues) consensus



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Curtis Barnard Technical Manager at CI in Guyana

To learn more about the people and nature of Nimba

To provide experiences from Guyana, especially on community involvement in conservation

Wing Crawley

Biodiversity Conservation Programme Coordinator

To reach consensus about the management objectives for the ENNR

To listen and participate fully and honestly

2.2 Workshop Purpose and Design Stated aims To bring together the key stakeholders to enable them, in democratic, transparent ways, to:

Review and agree the existing legal position regarding the management of the ENNR;

Review the aspirations of the communities with interests in the forests incorporated into the ENNR.

Explore possible way(s) to manage the ENNR in order to meet stakeholders’ aspirations;

Discuss and try to agree optimal way(s) to manage the ENNR; and, if (iv) leads to satisfactory consensus,

Discuss and if possible agree on modus operandi regarding how agreed way(s) of managing the ENNR will be governed and managed (monitored etc.) and by who?

Issues (to be addressed at April Workshop)

Use and access to NTFP in the ENNR

Need to identify specific NTFP, level of harvesting, method of harvesting

Conservation status of ENNR w/in the larger landscape; does science support this?

Where does adequate and sustainable financing come from? What are the options

What are livelihood aspirations, expectations of the communities?

Priority land uses for communities

What is the role of the CMC in a landscape approach?

What governance structure for the landscape approach and what entities? Objectives/Outputs for the workshop in April 2013

Define governance structure

Define landscape

Define the mission of landscape-level planning

What are the expectation and where for the landscape

Likely financing and scale

Tools to achieve our aims

Provide overview to all participants through presentations Agenda … day 1 – develop overall vision …

context setting presentations

what’s the importance of ENNR in global context

possible scenarios ... challenge and opportunities

building a long term vision

agreeing strategic objectives Agenda … day 2 – how to get there …

presentation on conservation agreements

developing strategic actions short term

agreeing quick wins

planning for implementation 1-3 years



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creating the road map and work packages

detailed action planning Agenda … day 3 - governance …

presentation on co-management / recommendations

lessons on governance from past experience

building governance structure

roles and responsibilities

agreeing elegant next steps Purpose …

develop a common vision for ENNR and surrounding communities

clarify ways in which conservation and community development can co-exist

to agree on the needed actions for ENNR management

agree on governance mechanism with roles and responsibilities

2.3 Opening remarks Participants were welcomed by Jessica Donavan from Conservation International, who introduced the 3 speakers for the official welcome to the region. The 3 speakers were … County superintendent, FDA MD (Forestry Development Agency, Managing Director) and a Community Representative … County Superintendent’s welcome

Thanked CI and AML as an important partner to county and the commitment in working with the local people and communities. The commitment can be seen from AML having staff to work with local community in the region

She expressed a commitment from the participants in the fact that people here will take this information back to their respective communities and constituencies

She also officially welcomed all the participants to the regions and thanked the commitment of Government to engage including the president’s commitment to ensure this process is successful.

MD – FDA welcomed all the participants

The MD expressed how please he was to be here to engage all partners and the focus on ENNR especially the engagement with a key invest AML) and conservation partners and all the local communities

He raised the critical role of community engagement in the planning and engagement process for ENNR

Liberia as a country is in a unique position in West Africa as the East Nimba region remains an important spot as we have no deforestation compared to other countries and therefore it’s critical that we continue to conserve what we still have remaining

From an FDA perspective we are glad the focus is on ENNR … so we can learn to apply in West Nimba at a later stage.

Welcome by community representative

The speaker expressed the importance of the ENNR because of the ecosystem services provided by the region

The ecosystem services if particularly critical, therefore it’s important that we support a co-management structure as in the ENNR

As a community they see the 3C’s being addressed in the project, namely the Community ... Commercial and Conservation objectives are being addressed

From a community perspective it’s really about training to ensure its future management ... respecting the co-management agreement … it’s also about long term benefits for the community.



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2.4 Workshop methodology From experience the use of a neutral, independent external facilitator works best for large scale workshops of his nature. BPG as business uses a unique facilitation process called ‘Participlan’ which is a visual mapping process where all attendees participate in unpacking and identifying the issues, building the solution and plans for the future. It has very clear ground rules, which allows open and honest debate around ideas. Our approach is that of managing the process, not the content. Participlan also allows for anonymous input, which allows participants to be honest and open, without fear of intimidation. Benefits of the ‘Participlan’ approach to running a workshop …

Participlan is quick and efficient

the process is participative and people can work on their own or in teams

because delegates are writing their responses on special stationery unnecessary debate is eliminated and more importantly emotion is managed and the group remain objective

we arrive at the end result that we all desire

because the group has developed the issues and solutions they buy into the implementation of the plan or agreed actions.

Workshop started … Workshop commenced with each participant introducing themselves and articulating their expectations. After this the facilitator explained the Participlan process and ground rules, and we started the session with a warm up question below. The warm up question is to familiarise the participants with the process but also to kick the creative thinking.



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3. QUESTIONS ADDRESSED IN THE WORKSHOP

3.1 Question 1: Practising the Method Question: “Imagine you are President of Liberia for a day ... what would you do?”

Issues Responses

Training of special skills

train doctors

train teachers

Appoint myself longer

appoint myself President for a few more days

Do a quick one day job

I will one day job

do one day job

quick job

meet the ministers to discuss plan for that day

increase salary of conservationists

Take a long holiday take a long holiday

promise to start with

declare a national holiday

Reduce the number of holiday

declare less holidays than what we have now

Listen to peoples development needs

get the opinion of the people on development

Sack all in-effective staff

order all ministries to sack skeleton staff

sack all ineffective ministers

Deal with corruption and bad elements

initiate prosecution against the 100 most corrupt people

get rid of bad elements

Shorten the time for court cases

murder case must not last for more than 2 weeks

Buy better resource for PA management

purchase more logistic for protected areas

Look at sustainable progress

see our nation progress sustainably and peacefully

Establish Ministry of Environment

establish Ministry of Environment

Address concession overlap issues

address issues on existing concession overlaps

Clearly define FDA and EPA responsibilities

re-define the roles of EPA and FDA

limit FDA mandate on forest management

Encourage patriotism

urge all citizens to be patriotic

Free internet free internet access all over

Improve education though more infrastructure

build schools

free education for all

build colleges and install 15 counties

allow free education

Make mining companies develop communities

ensure all mining companies develop affected communities

Can’t do too much, one day is too short

objectives will be met

one day is not enough to start and end a job

you will not be able to do anything better to satisfy your country

Appoint good officials

appoint my government official

appoint good people



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Question: “Imagine you are President of Liberia for a day ... what would you do?”

Issues Responses

Electrify the country get electricity to the country

electrify the whole country

Call for peace call for peace

unify the people

have a great love of my people ... unite them and make them love one another

Create more jobs seek job opportunities for Liberia

create more job facilities by locally opening factories to produce materials from our reserves

Ban plastic bags ban plastic bags

Call for help shout ‘help’ !

Make helmets compulsory

make helmets compulsory for motor bike riders

Increase the budget for PA and conservation

create protected areas

give a blanket declaration for all proposed PA’s

increase budget for conservation

create more forest area as a reserve

make all PA’s community forests

Implement land reform

land reform must take place

Make laws are respected

a forest law is respected

Make sure people adhere to constitution

urge all citizens to line in line with the constitution

Improve infrastructure and roads

build a road

pave the major roads of Liberia

construct roads

pave all roads in the country

build new and improved roads

paved Monrovia – Nimba road

fix the roads

connect all villages by road network



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3.2 Question 2: Importance of the Nimba Mountains Question: “This region is important because ... focus on more than just biodiversity

... other reasons ... ?”

Issues Responses

Community depends on it for their livelihoods and income

people rely directly on the land for their sustenance

communities livelihoods depend on the ENNR and its surrounds

fuel / wood supplies

medicinal herbs and other NTFP’s

economic potential (tourism)

because of its potential for ecotourism

products (NTFP’s) for income generation

Rich in biodiversity natural resources

biodiversity richness

rare species of plants and animals are found

different species of medicinal plants

rich natural resources for conservation

hot spot for biodiversity and conservation

globally significant biodiversity

it is one of the remaining block of the forest for upper Guinea Note: Species specific

Only nature reserve ENNR is Liberia’s only Nature reserve

High mineral potential

high mineral potential

iron ore ... engine of economic growth

high quality iron ore is a threat and an opportunity

Trans frontier / boundary aspects

the area is a trans-boundary point

ideal geographical location between Ivory Coast and Guinea

global significance as a tri-national trans-boundary area

trans frontier aspects

trans-boundary protected area

trans-boundaries location

Importance of the ecosystem services

forests provide clean air and carbon sink

forest maintains ecosystem services (H2O, climate change etc)

absorbs CO2 – carbon dioxide

ecosystem services

this serves as sourcing fresh water

major northern water source

gives us O2 – oxygen

provides a more healthy living environment

the ENNR and its surroundings provide ecosystem services

regional water supply including ground water Note: Others to include; Good air to be used

High population density

region is importance because 2nd

highest population concentration in Liberia

high population density needing important resources

more people needing limited resources

Refuge for animals refuge for many animals used for food

More accessible road networks

more assessable road networks



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3.3 Question 3: Considering Strategic Challenges and Opportunities Question: “What do you think the possible or likely scenarios are that could unfold in this

region, in the next 5 years ... what challenges and opportunities do we see as we consider the region’s development objectives ... ?”

Vote : Which of these are the most critical to incorporate in our strategy going forward?

Cluster Vote Issue Responses

U 28 Well functional CMC that’s accountable and rewarded for delivery of outcomes

Co –management Committee (CMC) members paid against specific TORs

functional CMC that can do things

communities full involvement in the implementation of a management plan

spell out the roles and responsibilities of CMC in the management plan

if local people cannot manage the community forest, they produce NTFP ... how could they manage ENNR NTFP?

CMC becomes a viable entity to manage the PA and safeguard biodiversity

collaboration between communities, state institutions and private sector for community objectives

effective co-management helps protect ENNR

co-management committee, well-structured and functional for sustainable management

L 24 ENNR has a well-defined and clear purpose

clarity of purpose of ENNR

re-define ENNR demarcation line

consensus on ENNR management objectives ... solutions to addressing community needs and expectations

better protection of ENNR illegal activities stopped

defined land use activities

ENNR can serve as a model for PA management in Liberia

new, approved management plan for ENNR

implementation of a well designed management plan

B 22 Increased biodiversity and reduction in direct threats because of effective co-management

increase in biodiversity concentration

slash and burn will be stabilised

ENNR threats will be reduced

if continues to be protected species population will increase

community forestry improved so pressure on ENNR decreased

increase in wild life population

ENNR will be a storehouse for biodiversity

F 20 Increased community interest and commitment in participating in ENNR protection

lack of trained manpower to manage the area

increased community interest / protection of the ENNR

increased community capacity for management of ENNR and community forests



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Question: “What do you think the possible or likely scenarios are that could unfold in this region, in the next 5 years ... what challenges and opportunities do we see as we consider the region’s development objectives ... ?”



J 11 Communities understand conservation

implementation of conservation agreements

communities understand how conservation can pay actual benefits through conservation agreements etc.

A 8 Benefits for all local communities

support for livelihoods

it’s management addressing social and economic (poverty reduction) benefits to local communities

ecotourism activities developed

H 6 Pressure from other land uses, including agriculture and forestry

dependency on forest and unproductive CF management spills over to put pressure on ENNR

agriculture needs will expand

increased deforestation and forest degradation due to slash and burn farming

60 000 more hectares of forest lost in Liberia

threat of population growth and demand for land space by human communities

less land available for slash and burn

over exploiting of NTFP’s

more water sources will be disturbed

loss of forest cover in region

development of more farm land because of lack of affirmative livelihood

Note: Land pressure

Z 4 Long term sustainable funding

long term sustainable funding has started for conservation development

new ENNR management project (funded by AML)

more funding available to support conservation and community development

T 3 Withdrawal of support from various interested groups

failure to ensure community direct involvement in management will continue to breed conflict

withdrawal of any of the parties from the co-management agreement ENNR will finish

withdrawal of interested groups

EE 3 ENNR is role model for country … we actually get it right here

ENNR is a role model (regional) for co-management

Liberia will be more focus point in West Africa Note: For what ??

M 2 Economic up-liftment if protected, there will be a creation of more jobs

economic up-liftment as people and investment increase in the area

X 2 Increased in mining activities

increased mining of iron ore

in the next 3 years, I can see that if the massive mining continues, more water sources in the region will be disturbed



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CC 2 Community fatigue because of a lack of results

communities not willing to support conservation

community fatigue in not getting quick results / benefits

C 1 Loss of livelihood loss of livelihood for communities

D 1 Restricted access to herbalist cures

local herbalists shall find it difficult to cure some illnesses due to restriction

G 1 Growing population scramble for resources because of population increase on limited land space

increase in population and limited farming land is a threat

if the ENNR is managed properly, we will have a population growth, community and resources development

population growth ... more agricultural pressure on forest

growing population

growth in population

O 1 Important research site be important research site

regular bio-monitoring programme in the ENNR

S 1 Increased infrastructural development

increased in infrastructure development

we want changes in the future like good road conditions

increase in the number of people because of roads

development will endanger biodiversity

better roads – more hunting increased charcoaling

additional infrastructure will be established

W 1 Defined roles for stakeholders

the roles of all stakeholders defined

BB 1 Challenge of managing the conflicting interests and needs

how to ensure that everyone’s needs are covered without conflict

I worry about the co-existence of the authority and the communities

DD 1 Lack of political support lack of Government / FDA support on long term basis

lack of political will could lead to change in its present status

FF 1 Every man for himself every man for himself because of individualism

invasion by community because of lack of respect for the law

E 0 Reduced forest West Nimba forest will be much reduced .... pressure on ENNR



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I 0 Extermination of rare species

edible animals under pressure

local people see animals as more than food

reduce animals and plant numbers

if not protected, rare species will be exterminated (wiped out) soon

Note: Bush meat

K 0 Creation of buffer zone buffer zone creation

if protected banks of rivers / creeks will be protected

N 0 Establish restoration projects

restoration projects will be established around and in ENNR

P 0 Community aspirations better understood

community long term aspirations better understood

Q 0 Medicinal plant nurseries established

medicinal plant nurseries established in communities

R 0 How to regulate better how to regulate all activities to sustainable levels

Note: How to regulate better

V 0 Increased understanding of everyone’s needs

increased understanding of each other’s needs and activities through more meetings and discussions

there will be many more workshops

AA 0 Other human activities other human activities in the absence of other parties to the agreement

Conclusions on threats and opportunities … conclusion on vision …

well-functioning and improved collaboration in a co-management structure ...

ENNR purpose and vision clearly defined with a well-defined management plan as a model where community livelihoods are addressed...

well capacitated and trained communities delivering improved ENNR management, delivering improved biodiversity protection and decrease in pressure, through effective tools

formalised conservation agreements that deliver community benefits and appropriate long term sustainable funding mechanism



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3.4 Question 4: Future Visions for the ENNR Question: “Vision for ENNR ... what are we doing and what does that look like ...

... what do we see five years from now ... ?” Prioritise : Which of these would have the most positive impact considering the

country’s development objectives ... ? Rate : From low to high how easy or difficult it would be to achieve this considering

our capacity?


A 22 Local communities are involved, collaborating and co-managing ENNR as equal partner

local communities participation in management

communities involved in the management of the reserve

communities punishing violators of their rules for forest protection

CMC full involvement in the management of ENNR

if roles and responsibility of stakeholders are well defined, the ENNR will be an effective governance structure

included CMC in managing the ENNR

co-management bodies and the FDA collaboration

FDA and communities share responsibility for the day to day activities of ENNR

ENNR communities and partners are co-ordinating all development activities in the area

relationship between FDA and community fully understood in terms of roles and responsibility

Rate: Spread of opinion, but reasonably easy to achieve

B 19 There is better regulation and management of ENNR through clear management plan agreed by all stakeholders

better regulation and management of ENNR

a clear management plan is in place for ENNR

management regime for ENNR fully incorporates community and aspiration for conservation

ENNR management incorporates conservation

a long term management plan agreed by all stakeholders

ENNR fully functional and attracting international attention

Rate: This would be quite easy to achieve

O 19 Communities actively participate as stewards of their forests, leading to improved conservation

increase in animals and plants

ENNR is where biodiversity is conserved

animals and plants species will increase after years

conservation is working and will work if communities participate

contained deforestation by ...

conservation is happening in and outside the reserve

communities are stewards of biodiversity conservation through ENNR protection

Rate: This would be reasonably easy to achieve



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Question: “Vision for ENNR ... what are we doing and what does that look like ... ... what do we see five years from now ... ?”

Prioritise : Which of these would have the most positive impact considering the


our capacity?


U 13 Communities are receiving direct benefits from conservation through model conservation agreements

improve community economic starter

conservation agreements between ENNR and surrounding communities

communities receiving benefits through conservation agreements

tools such as conservation agreements to conserve biodiversity

communities receiving benefits for doing restoration activities in and around ENNR

community around ENNR must benefit ... increase in job opportunities for community

ENNR as a store room for community livelihood alternative

conservation agreements providing good development returns to neighbouring communities

ENNR conservation agreements are serving as model demonstration for national programme in Liberia

there is a clear strategy for livelihoods in place Rate: Spread of opinion

Z 10 Sustainable funding mechanism secured

with an assured funding system

funding for ENNR is secured and shared with communities

ENNR will have its Trust Fund for effective management

ENNR is fully sustained through sustainable financial options

long term financing for ENNR increased conservation agreement are in place

Rate: Spread of opinion

G 8 Trained and equipped staff

improve research and environmental ability of staff

trained and equipped staff for effective management

we want to see CMC trained in forest management, computer literate, finance and paid administration for the full management of ENNR

GoL / FDA fully supporting programmes in terms of equipment loyalties, trained manpower

Rate: A slight spread of opinion, but mainly easy to achieve



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our capacity?


S 6 ENNR is a biodiversity research centre

be a scientific research site internationally

ENNR to be a biodiversity research centre

biological research going on at ENNR by Liberians and others

ENNR = site for good research

ENNR will be a major scientific research centre in West Africa


E 6 ENNR increased employment opportunities as agreed in management agreement

ENNR will have increase in employment

ENNR management will be developed Rate: A slight spread of opinion, but mainly easy to achieve

X 5 ENNR has upgraded infrastructure

ENNR infrastructure up graded to international standards

ENNR to have her offices and ranger camp built closer to the reserve

Rate: Easy to achieve

F 3 Land use plan is defined and agreed

land uses are agreed upon and clearly defined

all ENNR communities have sound land use plans and resource management plans


K 2 ENNR has a visible boundary

ENNR be clearly identified and protected

ENNR is completely mapped and boundaries clearly established

a well demarcated and visible boundary Rate: Spread of opinion

Y 2 Biodiversity is at threat if communities role in partnership is not fully recognised

in the next 2-3 years, when communities are not fully considered, we will not be part of conservation

biodiversity at threat if partners do not recognise community as legal partners

Rate: Difficult to achieve

C 1 CMC members are paid for their roles

CMC members paid for their roles and responsibilities in managing ENNR


D 1 Revisit the Act that created ENNR

revisit the Act creating the ENNR and make it workable


H 1 ENNR is a tourist destination

improved tourist site

ENNR = tourism recreation site

ENNR to be on international acceptable tour site

Rate: Should be easy to achieve



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our capacity?


N 1 ENNR best protected area (PA) and a local model for PA management

ENNR a model for PA management in Liberia

Nimba is a global model of co-management

ENNR will be a role model for biodiversity conservation by co-management ... it will be the best managed protected area in the region


N 1 ENNR is global model for PA management

Nimba is a global model of co-management

ENNR is a model for PA management in Liberia

ENNR will be a role model for biodiversity conservation by co-management ... it will be the best managed protected area in the region


T 1 ENNR is a biodiversity refuge

ENNR biodiversity refuge

that ENNR serves as a refuge for biodiversity conservation and a world heritage site in collaboration with the community agreement for the benefit of all


W 1 Exploration within the ENNR

exploration within the ENNR Rate: Very easy to achieve

I 0 Increase environmental awareness

increase environmental awareness and education for future generation


J 0 Conserve and manage biodiversity with community involvement

a conserve and manage biodiversity with the involvement of local communities

Rate: Mainly easy to achieve

L 0 Remove the rail line to outside ENNR

remove the 1.5 km of rail line outside of the ENNR

Note: Clear management decisions must be made about this Rate: Easy to achieve

M 0 ENNR is a strict nature reserve

ENNR remains a strict nature reserve

a strictly managed ENNR that is being protected by the FDA’s community and supported by the stakeholders

Rate: Spread of opinion but mostly difficult to do

P 0 Benefiting of all, but the direct communities benefiting have been agreed based on the limited resources available

issues of who is in and who should benefit have been agreed

benefit both community and the nation Note: What specific + the actual target Rate: Spread of opinion



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our capacity?


Q 0 Surrounding communities have agreed realistic expectations for livelihood improvement, through Improved methods of agriculture

the surrounding communities have agreed it’s realistic expectations

benefit distribution is guided by community development plans

improved methods of agriculture leading to better incomes for farmers in neighbouring communities

Rate: Mainly easy to achieve, but slight spread of opinion

R 0 ENNR is a World Heritage Site (WHS)

ENNR = WHS Rate: Easy to achieve

V 0 Co-operation of all stakeholders

in co-operation with all stake holders for the benefit of local communities, Liberia and the world

Issues Responses

Legally gazetted ENNR and CMC is legalised to manage ENNR

a legally gazetted ENNR with the requisite governance structures in place by 2018

with illegal co-management activities of communities ... the PF will surface (a) encroachment (b) free area

Note: The group decided to remove this because FDA MD clarified and confirmed the actual legal status

ENNR is managed by a legalised co-management structure

CMC be legalised to protect the community rights Note: MD clarified this ... and the CMC is a legal structure

Concern ?? …

especially inside the reserve

so what about outside the actual fence

the Act limits the activities inside

issue around livelihoods

if current co-management structure is illegal, then why are we engaging ?

whatever current structure we agree on will be the structure going forward The issues above were raised in the original brainstorm of ideas on the vision, and it caused considerable debate. Communities felt if the CMC is not legally recognised as a structure why are we then having this workshop. This therefore begs the question of what is the legal status of CMC? The FDA MD then clarified the issue with the following statement … the Act that created ENNR and CMC was not illegal and the FDA therefore respects the current co-management agreement as legal and binding and the FDA agrees that local communities must be part of it. Summary of vision with strategic themes … With this clarity the workshop agreed to remove the issue of legal status from the vision question, and based on some previous workshops done by FFI with similar stakeholders, the following vision was recommended and accepted by the forum (see top of next section).



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4. DEVELOPING THE VISION FOR THE ENNR

A vision for East Nimba Nature Reserve …

ENNR will become a role model for biodiversity conservation by co-management between the Government, communities and stakeholders for the benefit of everyone

ENNR will be the best protected area in Liberia and will be famous internally for co-management eco-tourism and research

Strategic themes Based on the above prioritisation and rating, the workshop agreed the following 7 strategic thematic areas for further discussion and debate. These are the critical areas or dependencies in order to have a successful ENNR.

1. An effective co-management structure with clear role and responsibilities (R&R) is in place effective broad stakeholder and community participation and engagement

2. effective Human Resources and capacitated people and management in place 3. ENNR is delivering biodiversity benefits through effective conservation management using

effective tools like conservation agreements 4. ENNR is addressing and influencing the broader development / livelihoods agenda through

effective co-management. (key question … is this about access to ENNR or direct benefit from ?)

5. Developing the ENNR eco-tourism and research capacity 6. a sustainable finance mechanism is in place to future management ... 7. effective management plan in place ... appropriately resourced and capacitated ...



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Strategic themes … based on visioning … In small groups participants then unpacked and enriched the issues raised in the various clusters by debating the rating ... asking themselves, why people might have rated it this way ... they then reported back some of the reasons. In conclusions they also had to agree some broad key objectives / goals to set in each theme.

1. An effective co-management structure with clear role and responsibilities (R&R) is in place effective broad stakeholder and community participation and engagement Conflict between ENNR Act and co-management agreement

- review and harmonise the ENNR act and the co-management agreement - consensus on management objective of the ENNR ENNR as a role model for protected area management

- secure long term sustainable funding - need materials and equipment to do the work - administrative training ... computer literacy, accounting, record keeping, report writing,

presentations - look at lessons learned in co-management in other countries CMC members paid

- secure long term sustainable funding - define RNR’s / TOR’s of CMC members Community and FOA co-managing ENNR

- clarify the level of management for CMC involvement - define specific TOR for CMC members

2. Effective HR and capacitated people and management ...

Tools Results

FDA needs to recruit 8 (about) auxiliaries plus 6 additional staff

more people employed

greater capacity to manage

effective training and capacity for CMC

better managed by CMC

essential equipment for staff and CMC

better management by staff and CMD

improve research and environmental ability of staff

3. Delivering biodiversity benefits through effective conservation management ... and tools like conservation agreements … the group decided to rephrase the theme into the following objective/goal ... biodiversity of the ENNR is maintained and improved through effective conservation management providing benefits to all stakeholders Some of the high level actions needed …

development of management plan of ENNR

increase awareness of communities

build capacity of FDA and communities

improving livelihood of surrounding communities

upholding the rule of law



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4. Addressing ... influencing the broader development / livelihoods agenda through ... Key question … is this about access to or benefit from?

Key issues Actions Tools Results

Who should benefit? everyone in ENNR communities

Specialist land use planner to consult communities and draft plans, then discuss, revise and agree

Land use plans for each community

Consensus in each community as to how each area of land will be used as priority

Covered by other actions and tools

ENNR forest serves as habitat for bush meat and medicinal plants (store room)

ENNR to have the maximum biodiversity resource possible

Specialist agricultural advice and training by agricultural NGO’s improved tools

Agricultural improved methods

Stable, productive farming

Mined areas : AML to continue working with CMC on trials etc.

Farmed areas : guidance and support from FDA re-forestation unit and partners , methods, seedlings, support

Forest restoration activities

Degraded areas of ENNR returned to good forest

CI to continue working with communities and possible funders ... CI / AML to start pilot CA’s

Conservation agreements

Infrastructure that benefits everyone e.g. water supply, schools, roads, bridges, clinics, toilets Cross cutting with other tools e.g. improved agriculture, forest restoration

Infrastructure... social broader benefits

Communities and partners to raise awareness and encourage the youth

Young community members are trained more in vocational skills e.g. NCCC, BWI, VTC

Other job opportunities

Goal : improve community economic status

5. Developing ENNR tourism / research capacity and value … this group decided to

change their goal to … develop the research capacity and facilities within ENNR … or ENNR research capacity and infrastructure developed

WHS impact low ... capacity low

tourism impact low ... capacity low

research impact high ... capacity = therefore …

- develop guidelines and procedures for research - put in place fees and benefit sharing scheme - what about cost sharing - links with research institutions in and out of Liberia - establish facilities to support research - centralised data base for research - clearer policy on data produced locally

financing mechanism currently centrally paid - develop this as part of long term finance structure - eco-tourism potential assessed - people able to build on each other’s work



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6. A sustainable finance mechanism is in place to future management ...

low capacity for financial management NOW

high capacity to build needed mechanism / capacity * (3-5 years)

*finance management capacity building for FDA, CMC, community structures goal : within 5 years sustainable financing solution in place for ENNR

objective : define budget for co-management

objective : design structure ... put in place for financial management

objective : set up financial monitoring and auditing system

objective : formulate fund raising strategy for ENNR - potential merchandising research fees, tourism fees, conservation fee on logging ecosystem service payment from Government tax revenue .. corporate support

- creation of a Trust Fund - concern about the donation mentality? - valuation for ecosystem services ??

7. Effective management plan in place ... appropriately resourced and capacitated ...

developing an effective management plan for the ENNR

capacity to develop a management plan is low

inadequate political will

low human capacity

lack of appropriate resources

conflicting interests

limited baseline information (data ... management plan)

limited awareness and sensitization Summary Based on the above, the goal rephrased for the next 6 months …

develop a management plan incorporating the needs of every stakeholder

set a team of stakeholders and clarify TOR

conduct a rapid biological and socio-economic survey

conduct training workshop to identify key issues to incorporate and build consensus on these issues

draft target plan developed and distributed to stakeholders for inputs and consensus on draft document

incorporate stakeholders in put

conduct a validation workshop

finalise management plan



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5. TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS The second day started with two short presentations.

5.1 Presentation on Conservation Agreements by Conservation International Question 1 …

what about long term sustainability ?

if CI is not going to be here long term, agreement should ideally be between local elements

e.g. why AML is an important partner as they plan to be here long (20 years) ... that’s why we are trying to create a long term funding mechanism

ideally these CA should actually deliver other values Question 2 …

who defines benefit ? Question 3 …

penalties ... what is it ?

what if people don’t comply ?

this is part of the negotiating ... the benefit packet

CA is an ongoing process

there is regular checking up Question 4 …

6 communities ... how were they selected ? Question 5 …

package for awareness ... yes it’s included Question 6 …

what if people break agreement ?

penalty is enforced, they are now in process to work with them Question 7 …

what’s the yard stick (engagement) for progress ? difficult monitoring elements

bio monitoring ... its social etc.

base line is determined first Question 8 …

concern ... how well informed are communities ???

there has been a series of consultations ... people are well informed

people now can’t wait for when it starts

concern around coercion ??

everyone is engaged ... individually and in groups

communities often change their mind and see things differently Question 9 …

communities need to understand threats ... NB !!

that’s why we record peoples’ names

communities are asked to come with what they can do ... their willingness to do something ... their capacity must be built in terms of threats

the discussion starts about when things were like



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Question 10 …

how long will it take to implement

this is difficult ... impacted by poverty ... they want something new and just because of that ... does not mean we must rush the process ... target ... 2014

Question 11 …

what about other communities

we need to realistic about our own capacity, but we had to start with based on capacity ... remember they are pilots

start small and then grow big

we need to find additional partners with plan to add more communities by focusing / piloting on 6 because others might start doing harm in order to get attention

Question 12 …

how will the CA address the legality ... ENNR

the identity of ENNR is not defined ... how then CA ? Question 13 …

if ENNR has not defined yet, how is this possible Question 14 …

where has this been done before ?

huge experience globally and it’s critical relationships

CSP is really about exchange earning

others also want to see how this works

based on our knowledge of our communities, have these been part of the feasibility ?

recommendation is to continue to explain CA’s to communities

5.2 Presentation on CMC Capacity by Fauna and Flora International FFI presentation remarks and comments ...

cultural value to be added ... why is ENNR important ?

NTFP’s ??? clearly define this

motion to accept vision statement as Phil presented

recognising that it will e expanded in the strategic objective

if we accept this now, let’s not rehash it again

also needing some feedback from CMC

mining as a threat ... define it

it’s seen as a potential future threat !

confirming the livelihood definition

it is much more than just income

caution against how we implement businesses and it’s about doing it well

?? about auxiliaries (volunteers) as they play a critical role in management, they are, therefore, also a target for the capacity building future ... building their capacity ... to be self sustaining

suggestion on vision ... that if we agree this, that we use this in every other future document

CMC like a board ... for co-management

CMC role ... in terms of day to day management

CMC ... role to be clear

video on CA’s from other CI programmes



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6. MOVING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ENNR FORWARD

6.1 Question 5: Implementation Plans

Question: “Knowing what we know ... what are the quick win actions ... we should implement in next 6 months ... by whom and by when ... ?”

Actions to take By whom By when Indicators of

success

1.

stakeholders ... set up a committee to develop a management plan

FDA set up management planning team

set up technical advisory committee consisting of these partners

set up a committee for the development of the MP

CI, AML, FFI, Prosper, CMC, FDA FDA – Theo F, Morris K, Roger L AML – John H, Wing Y. C EPA – Harry C FFA – Jens, Richard S Local authorities – Teko Y, Gabriel G, Samuel B, Barum B

1st draft

circulated by December 2013

Stakeholder consultation sign off (committee)

2

develop management plan

develop a management plan ... project

ENNR stakeholders should develop the management plan within 6 months

All stakeholders

3.

procure a consultant to develop management plan

consultant Note: TOR to be done by committee

committee to guide TOR or consultants to do this

end June 2014 Consultant TOR in place /agreed

4.

formalise CMC management

define roles and responsibilities of CMC and its members FDA and partners

ENNR stakeholders should develop CMC, TOR to implement the management plan within 6 months

This stakeholder forum Today 26

th April

2013

Signed by members present

5.

identify quick impact project for conservation agreement

quick impact projects

implement 2 quick impact projects in two months

CA examples : swamp rice production and salary for school teachers

Implementer – CI and AML

Within 2 months Funding secured ... 2 demonstrations

6.

finalise two conservation agreements

CI / AML 6 months

Minimum of 2 conservation agreements in place



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success

7.

collect all available information on ENNR for management planning

collect background information to develop management plan

collate / co-ordinate all available data for management plan

collate data (socio-economic and biological) from partners working in ENNR

FDA / FFI and CI 2 months

Consultant using data in plan development

8.

refine budget and business plan in line with outcomes

solicit funds to implement short term operation of ENNR PDA and AML/FFI/Prosper

Notes: What to do ? What about other partners?

CMC / CI support 30th June 2013 $ secured ??

9.

procure the basic equipment to strengthen on the ground

provide equipment and materials for operation FDA and partners

procured 3-5 GPS units and train ENNR personnel

management of ENNR through financial support from AML

GPS, raingear, rations, tents, tarpaulins, cutlasses, and 5 motorbikes

FFI / AML 31st July 2013

Capacity increased

10.

define the roles and responsibilities of auxiliaries TOR by FDA / AML / CMC

CMC / FDA 15th May 2013

New TOR’s in place and signed off

11.

review and harmonise conflict between ENNR Act and co-management

CMC / FDA and partners

December 2013 review complete

Recommendations implemented

12.

re-cleaning of boundary line

clearing / cleaning of ENNR boundary line

Prosper CMC and ENNR management

6 months Clean boundary



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success

13.

agree an appropriate Government structure

review current CMC in light of this ... agree where changes are needed if at all ?

agree and sign – off roles and responsibilities of CMC

All here today Today

14.

parties supporting conservations define their potential responsibilities

all partners to be explicit about their roles in light of ENNR with their specific commitments going forward

All Today

15.

ongoing awareness

market the CMC and FDA must emphasise the biological significance of the ENNR over the net partners FDA

FDA Ongoing Community participation levels upwards

16.

set priorities for research CMC / AML 6 months

Agree / finalise all research priorities for ENNR

17.

clean road to ENNR both ways

cleaning of the road to the ENNR both WASZAML fence

to re-clean the boundary line of the ENNR and AML fences

CMC 6 months

6.2 Question 6: CMC Effectiveness

Question: “Currently what is not working about the CMC ... ?”

Responses

all stakeholders to show your position and interest in line of ENNR

certain activities are allowed as per ENNR Act

agreement talks about making room for farming

NTFP rules are not in place

is it not better to consider this in the management plan

rather today

this is typical of how people sign a commitment that they don’t understand

tower installation problem ??

GSM companies

needs more clarity on this issue

EPA to engage the GSM

compensation or re-location



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6.3 Assessing the Level of Alignment in the Workshop Soft shoe shuffle debate …

any activity allowed inside must be proven to not damage what is already there

multiuse area ... allowing activities

use of IUCN categories communities however needs to be compensated with proper valuations

Act that created ENNR was not fully discussed

clarify if researches pay the FDA

no ... FDA does not collect money ... except when specific cites specimens are collected - $50 goes to finance

concession payment ??

the Act that created ENNR did not consider the communities

at this stage these two Acts are not conflicting because the rules are not defined

harmonising of documents must include community opinion

at this stage we don’t have the power to do this

strict reserve or multi use ... the two approaches

the number to be put on the table

put a number on the table, however, keep this open using a new management regime

how does this now work for co-management

what about historic benefits that did not come to community

issue of compensation must be very clear

compensation using conservation agreement

if pilot is only for six months, what about others ?

if we go strict nature reserve, are the partners willing to put the money in ?

clarify the cost that’s being lost

it’s about the impacts broadly ... 36 communities

is it about the price ?

if we can’t then agree, we rethink the strict or not



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7 COMMITMENTS Role of each partner … your commitment ... Partner organisations were asked to prepare their organisations’ commitment after discussion with their respective teams to the overall process on the last day … clear documented roles from each partner were presented … see summary below.

Partner Issues

Communities

enforce rules and regulations

share information to communities related to forestry programme

willing to co-operate with forest related partners

awareness creation and mobilisation

committed to the co-management agreement

availability of manpower

FDA

committed to the agreement of CMC

FDA willing to proceed to the process

technical assistance

share resources

manage process

signing of agreement between FDA and AML

we want this to be transparent collaboration

what is the transparency ?

ArcelorMittal

start identifying research priorities (based on a review of ESIA, biodiversity maps, etc)

support gap filling butterfly surveys in ENNR

continue working towards longer term commitment (2016-2034)

provide 2 GPS unites to CMC, provide more once active patrols prove needed

continue piloting conservation agriculture in communities around ENNR

support conservation agreements through CI

participate in MP committee

undertake to pay for this workshop !

fund consultant to write MP

Alvin will work with EPA to devise guidelines for environmental appraisal of conservation agreements

USAID Prosper Note there is a difference between individuals vs. co-organisational commitments

working with N. Nimba biodiversity stakeholder group

supporting community participants in the CMC (capacity)

supporting community in CF activities

continue to build the capacity of FDA cadres

why only one of the CCC being focused on ?

it’s in line with community rights law

capacity building on rights and then what ?

5 year projects ... with possible future

communities can really answer this

this talks to the long term commitments

what about the more project stuff ?

FFI

ENNR management capacity building project proposal

management plan development

management plan implementation

contract CMC to clean ENNR boundary

engagement when requested, invited where we can contribute



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Partner Issues

CI

implement quick impact projects as pat of CA based on needs

continue to provide input and guidance on LTSFP

continue to pilot conservation agreements in 6 communities

input into management plan process

continue to raise additional funding

continue education awareness and outreach activities

support land use planning activities around ENNR

make link to EPA explicit

what about our commitment to CMC

are committed and working with

EPA

EPA’s supporters monitoring and research works of the ENNR and surroundings

willing to collaborate

to support

to supervise and evaluate together



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8. FINALISATION

8.1 Final Resolutions After 2 hours of separate groups discussing the implications of a strict or not strict nature reserve the community representatives came back with the following resolution … For the future of ENNR communities commit themselves to a strict nature reserve for next 5 years on the following conditions

‘A’ community development is implemented ‘B’ education (scholarship) vocational training ‘C’ livelihood development ‘D’ health and sanitation to be addressed ‘E’ road development ‘F’ pay community representatives on the CMC (ENNR) management ‘G’ employment opportunity for the locals

And finally, that an MOU be signed between the various partners to document their commitment and contribution to ENNR. It was also recommended we have a review of progress in 3 years ... 26

th April 2016

does the 5 years start now or with MOU ? … yes … ends on 26th April 2018

AML commitment is covered in these commitments … therefore move forward on a management plan

It was also recognised and acknowledged that …

communities have been discussing the management regime ... Government through acts

co-management for next 5 years

strict reserve for next 5 years

ingredients ... 1. community development 2. scholarships for education

livelihood development

health and sanitation

road development

pay CMC members

employment opportunities

sign another MOU to control access



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8.2 Next steps

Responses By when

Owen Henderson to write up notes

Jess / Wing to send to all One week

this forum to review and meet in 6 months’ time 26th October 2013

partners to come with progress and work plan for next 6 months

who is going to co-ordinate this ... CMC chair ... with biodiversity

biodiversity stakeholder group

CMC representatives to tell community about decisions

biodiversity group to meet to agree the support

Nimba biodiversity meeting

CMC to be included in this meeting

where ... Monrovia

8th May 2013

community members role on CMC

resolution ... finalised 8

th May 2013

even this agreement to be taken forward

Prosper to help implement this awareness to ensure same message is taken out !

CI and Prosper to co-ordinate

east nimba nature reserve protected area management...

Documents