IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Penelope Figgis

IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Penelope Figgis A 0 WCPA Vice Chair Australia and New Zealand

The WCPA u The World Commission on Protected Areas is the leading global network of protected area specialists with 1300 members from over 140 countries u WCPA is one of six Commissions of the leading conservation body in the world, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) u WCPA works closely with IUCN Programme on Protected Areas

Species Survival Commission SSC IUCN World Conservation Union Commission on Environmental Law CEL Commission on Education and Communication CEC World Commission on Protected Areas WCPA Governments Institutions Commission on Environmental Economic and Social Policy NGOs Commission on Ecosystem Management CEM

WCPA Objectives · · · To promote discussion of protected area policy To provide strategic advice to policy makers; To strengthen capacity and effectiveness of PA managers, To provide a vehicle for networking; To increase investment in PAs, by persuading public and corporate donors of their value; and To enhance co-operation with IUCN members and other partners for global conservation.

WCPA in Australia/NZ u National Committee u High number of WCPA global office bearers u Currently 250 members, u 50% government, about 25% academic and 25% NGOs u Targeting NGOs, indigenous, tourism health, private trusts, youth

International Directions u World Parks Congress 2003 /Durban Action Plan u Convention on Biodiversity Programme of Works on protected Areas 2004 u IUCN Global Programme, Bangkok 2004 u WCPA Strategic Plan

Strategic Directions 1. 2. 3. 4. COMPLETING THE SYSTEMS PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT AND SCIENCE CAPACITY BUILDING AND AWARENESS RAISING GOVERNANCE, EQUITY AND LIVELIHOODS

Achievements Growth from 100 to 260 u Seniority of network u Regular Communication-List server u Regular newsletters u Advocacy – NRS funding – indigenous managers – Burrup Peninsula u Major submissions – IPA Review – NRS Review – Senate Inquiry u

Achievements u u u u Convened Partnerships Forum, 2005 NZ Members, 2005 Youth in Conservation Forum with Parks Forum, 2006 Senate Report Briefing, Canberra, May 2007 Climate Change Forum with WWF, 2007 Presentations 14 in 2006 Publications – “Partners in the NRS” with WWF – Private land conservation in Parks – Position on Protected Areas and Climate Change – Values Project with Parks Forum - forthcoming

WORK PLAN 2007

Conserving Biodiversity § § Mobilise wide ranging support for financial and policy commitment to NRS Position PAs as critical to climate change debate and response – position paper prepared Promote the concept of ‘connectivity conservation’ Assist in disseminating independent assessments of progress towards international goals (WWF)

Conserving Biodiversity 2 u Promote the A 2 A Vision of continental scale connectivity conservation u Assist in cross sectoral communication to develop the “Great North” , B 2 B vision of conservation, sustainable development and indigenous well being u Support concepts of World Heritage for the Australian Alps and Central Australia, Antarctica(? )

Marine and High Seas u Assist in convening marine experts - July possibility. u Support work of Task Force of the High Seas. u Promote concept of the mid Tasman High Seas Sanctuary

Science, Knowledge & Management u Refine and distribute Climate Change and Protected Areas Position u Develop Briefs on key topics Connectivity Conservation, IPAs u Generate new knowledge by enhancing links between agencies and academia (Peter Valentine) u Encourage consortium focussed on freshwater ecosystems

Capacity Development & Awareness Joint project Parks Forum and WCPA Communications Statement on protected areas values- launch Sept WA u Use network to collect data on social and economic benefits of parks. u

Capacity Development Develop further Young Leaders in Conservation event on 2008 u Develop and publish web guide to ‘Opportunities for Youth in Conservation’ u Encourage greater opportunities for young professionals in agencies u

Governance, equity & livelihoods u Support indigenous protected areas and involvement with land/sea management u Support private protected areas and conservation on various tenures to achieve ‘connectivity conservation u Explore possibility of Aust /NZ ‘assist group’ for WCPA Oceania

Membership Role u Assistance with submissions u Responding to calls for feedback u Website Contributions u Newsletter/list server contributions u Contributions according to roleconvening, venues, catering u Initiation of initiatives – publications, seminars, support groups