Ancilleno Davis, Conservation Coordinator Northern Caribbean Program

1. Ancilleno Davis, Conservation CoordinatorNorthern Caribbean Program

2. Introduction to the 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.

4. 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

5. Caribbean 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.

6. Bahamas PA Trust Fund: Return on Investment 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 As it currently stands, here�s the PAT. These figures could dramatically change over the course of the next few months.As it currently stands, here�s the PAT. These figures could dramatically change over the course of the next few months.

7. 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 Plants are essential to maintain the integrity of the environment as they act as carbon sinks to reduce the impact of global warming, habitats, and food for animals and other forms of life. They assist with the reduction of environmental pollutants and provide food, shade and protection against other species. The Objective to BMTC with regard to coastal areas is to: reduce or eliminate the removal or harvesting of coastal species such as Mangroves and Buttonwood, and instead to promote the planting of these types of trees along with fruit and other native or traditional trees. And also prevent the use of invasive trees with severe wetlands impacts particularly Melaleuca.Plants are essential to maintain the integrity of the environment as they act as carbon sinks to reduce the impact of global warming, habitats, and food for animals and other forms of life. They assist with the reduction of environmental pollutants and provide food, shade and protection against other species. The Objective to BMTC with regard to coastal areas is to: reduce or eliminate the removal or harvesting of coastal species such as Mangroves and Buttonwood, and instead to promote the planting of these types of trees along with fruit and other native or traditional trees. And also prevent the use of invasive trees with severe wetlands impacts particularly Melaleuca.

8. 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.

9. Abaco Conservation Area Plan (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.

10. 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 This list represents the most recently revised list to date of conservation targets for Abaco. Questionable targets: Laurencia algae: Does this need to be its own target or can it be used to predict important conch habitat or perhaps vice versa? Craig Layman is planning to conduct a study of Laurencia algae and if complete would be useful to include available information. Important Birds Areas: Which birds do you consider most important and want to include in this assessment? We already have parrots accounted for. We also have coppice habitat and inland water as targets which serve as important bird habitat. What we don�t have covered are the offshore cays that often serve as important nesting sites. Some individuals also mentioned white crowned pigeon specifically, because of its importance to recreational hunting. To include, will need to determine if information on the pigeon is available locally or whether the coppice habitat would have to serve as a surrogate for Pigeons.This list represents the most recently revised list to date of conservation targets for Abaco. Questionable targets: Laurencia algae: Does this need to be its own target or can it be used to predict important conch habitat or perhaps vice versa? Craig Layman is planning to conduct a study of Laurencia algae and if complete would be useful to include available information. Important Birds Areas: Which birds do you consider most important and want to include in this assessment? We already have parrots accounted for. We also have coppice habitat and inland water as targets which serve as important bird habitat. What we don�t have covered are the offshore cays that often serve as important nesting sites. Some individuals also mentioned white crowned pigeon specifically, because of its importance to recreational hunting. To include, will need to determine if information on the pigeon is available locally or whether the coppice habitat would have to serve as a surrogate for Pigeons.