SAMPAA VI Workshops

The day will open with a pleanry presenation by Alan Latourelle, CEO of the Parks Canada Agency. He will set the stage for this important conference event. We currently have seven workshops, entitled:

The SAMPAA VI workshops are:

1. Marine Workshop: Establishing a Network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012 - the Path Forward
2. Terrestrial Workshop: Achieving Meaningful Engagement of Communities and Partners in the Management of Greater Park Ecosystems
3. Arts and Sciences Workshop: Linking Arts and Sciences for Effective Conservation Collaboration
4. Community Mapping: Engagement in Bioregional Planning
5. (Taking the Bite out of Forest Insect Outbreaks) CANCELLED
6. EMAN - Bridging the Gap between Science and Decision Makers: Tools for Effective Research and Monitoring Programs that Influence and Inform
7. Education and Ecological Integrity: Reaching Across Boundaries

Although the intention of the first two workshops is to emphasize national planning for Canada, non-Canadian delegates are encouraged to attend, so that the workshops may benefit from their expertise and experiences in their own country.

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Workshops Details:

SAMPAA VI Marine Workshop: Establishing a Network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012 - the Path Forward

The Ocean Management Research Network (OMRN) and SAMPAA will come together for a one day Marine Workshop at the SAMPAA VI conference in May 2007, to focus on of the commitment of the Canadian Federal Government to establish a Network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012. The main question of the marine workshop will be to examine how a network of MPAs will be achieved by 2012, and what research is required to achieve that goal. The workshop will explore the ways and means to move forward with active research as well as what progress has been accomplished to date following prior workshops.

Focus of Workshop: The Marine Workshop will take as its focus the commitment by the Canadian Federal Government to establish a 'Network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012'.

Our Main Question Is: How will we achieve the goal of a Network of MPAs by 2012?

Workshop Plan and Expectations: At this workshop we hope to achieve the following:

• Review the document from the three federal government departments (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and Parks Canada) and their commitment to the goal of establishing a Network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012. Strengths and challenges
• State what would constitute successful establishment of a Network of MPAs by 2012.
• Review the research agenda that is required to achieve the goals stated in Canada's Federal Marine Protected Areas Strategy, OR the revised goals as determined by the delegates under 2.
• Review research progress to date in achieving the goal.
• Determine the immediate requirements for research and planning for the three federal departments in order to achieve the goal.
• Review the political, policy and planning challenges, and how to overcome them.
• Identify how the three departments, the provincial governments, the academic community, NGOs and others will collectively move this agenda forward with the ongoing assistance of the OMRN.
• Develop the 'work-back' plan required to achieve the goal: 'Mudcreek Manifesto'.

OMRN website: www.omrn-rrgo.ca

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SAMPAA VI Terrestrial Workshop: Achieving Meaningful Engagement of Communities and Partners in the Management of Greater Park Ecosystems

Since the release of the Ecological Integrity Panel Report, managers of many protected areas have made efforts to collaborate with neighbouring landowners and stakeholders to work towards sustainable greater park ecosystems. Still, there remains much work to do.

Goal: Develop a practical how-to handbook for greater ecosystem projects that has utility for all partners engaged in these collaborative ventures.

Purpose: The handbook will be designed for use as a how-to reference document for greater ecosystem projects, and it can be used as a tool for self-evaluation of progress for partnerships already engaged in greater ecosystem projects.

Challenges we face:

• It is not all good. Protected areas will not by themselves achieve conservation of biological diversity. Ecological integrity can only be achieved if land mangers from across jurisdictions earnestly work together to ensure that ecosystem structures and functions are not pushed past the point of resilience.
• Scales are generally larger than traditional management reaches. Unless we are considering potential impacts on protected areas at landscape scales relevant to ecosystem structures and function, we are not managing for ecological integrity.
• We have no agreed upon framework for greater ecosystem management to which we can aspire. Moreover, for projects already underway, it is difficult to evaluate progress made, or to compare progress among greater ecosystem projects.

Approach for developing the handbook:

• Select panel established to develop a framework for a draft handbook for greater ecosystem management. The framework would be circulated to participants prior to the event, and briefly presented at the workshop. The panel would be comprised of eight members drawn from SAMPAA, protected areas managers, the forest industry, mining industry, agriculture industry, tourism industry, and national environmental groups.
• The framework proposed by the panel will examine 1) scale of greater ecosystem projects, 2) scoping and terms of reference for collaboration among land managers in greater park ecosystem projects, 2) collaboration on knowledge acquisition, 3) consultation to establish land management targets, 4) collaboration in reaching targets, 5) means to engage First Nations and rural communities, 6) purpose and frequency for effective meetings, 7) time frames for reaching targets, and 8) methods of recourse, if progress is poor.
• Workshop would have invited speakers to give case studies of experiences with greater ecosystem projects. Honest look at what works, what doesn't, and why?
• Breakout groups will each discuss the draft framework, pointing out elements that may have been missed, and then each will be assigned one of the eight elements of the framework to critically review and clarify.
• Results will be presented in plenary, and the panel will then retire to incorporate the workshop contributions into a final version of the framework.
• Toward the conclusion of the SAMPAA VI conference, the panel will present the work from the workshop and ask that the framework be adopted by SAMPAA VI.
• The SAMPAA executive will then work with a group of volunteers to write a how-to handbook for greater park ecosystem projects that is based on the framework reviewed and adopted at SAMPAA VI.

Ensuring that the handbook has utility:

• The draft document presented at SAMPAA VI will have to incorporate numerous examples of best practice, with at least one example for each of the eight elements of the framework.
• The examples should be concise but detailed enough to have utility as a reference by participants in greater park ecosystem projects.
• Best practice examples should encompass greater park ecosystem landscapes that deal with forestry, mining, agriculture, and urbanization issues.
• To be useful, the document should be easy to read and function as a reference suitable for all participants in greater park ecosystem projects.
• The intent is to produce an important management publication by SAMPAA. To be practical, this publication should be produced in paper copy for distribution to all protected areas, and it should be available on the SAMPAA web site.

The Handbook Writing Team:

• At least one member of the panel should also be a member of the writing team, presumably the SAMPAA member.
• The team should be kept small (~ 3-4 people), but include a larger group from across Canada and abroad that contributes material for case studies.
• The panel will review the draft handbook, and approve its content.
• The handbook must be ready for production and distribution by fall 2007, and will be a publication of SAMPAA.

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SAMPAA VI Arts and Sciences Workshop: Linking Arts and Sciences for Effective Conservation Collaboration

Goal: Artists, scientists and managers will come together for this one-day workshop to explore the linking of arts and sciences to develop effective initiatives for the advancement of environmental awareness and conservation.

Introduction: As the overall theme for SAMPAA VI is "Ecosystem Based Management: Beyond Boundaries", in the spirit of going beyond boundaries, in this year's conference we have introduced several elements linking art and science. We feel that scientists and artists working together can better promote awareness not only of protected areas, but also for the sustainability of the larger landscapes and seascapes in which they are imbedded.

The arts offer a way to make an emotional connection to people, and visual and performing arts can help conservation practitioners reach new audiences. Art can provoke reactions that typical education and outreach methods do not. Art has the potential to inform audiences or participants in a new way about conservation topics, and it can stimulate new dialogues and actions. (Conservation Biology Volume 2, No 1,7-10)

SAMPAA has decided one of the focuses of the arts and sciences linkages is on the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve (SNBRA), which comprises Annapolis, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and Queens counties. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated this biosphere reserve in September 2001 in recognition of the area's rich biodiversity, cultural history, and the importance of two large contiguous protected areas in the region -- Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site and the Tobeatic Wilderness. While recognized by UNESCO as a special site, the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve is virtually unknown by its residents or others. SAMPAA believes that artists can help remedy that, and indeed more generally, that artists are pivotal to appreciating the global biosphere and our part in it.

To that end, we have launched Linking of Arts and Science initiatives consisting of three elements. The first element is a challenge to all public schools in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve to portray the reserve through an art form and participate in "The SAMPAA Challenge: Linking Art & Science in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve". This endeavour connects students in grades P-12 to the science of the biosphere reserve through art. Created by researchers and artists with input from teachers, the challenge is an innovative, cross-boundary project that allows teachers and students to explore their own creative expression from a variety of perspectives. Children have a special way of looking at their world, and their artwork reflects this unique perception. This challenge is intended to raise awareness of our own biosphere reserve, by offering students, teachers, and administrators in schools across southwest Nova Scotia an opportunity to first learn about the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, and then create relevant artwork in any form (photography, painting, drawing, writing, music, performance, etc). All contributed artwork will be digitized, compiled, and digitally displayed in the Atlantic Theatre Festival at the SAMPAA VI conference. Some selected pieces will be included in the formal gallery at the event.

The second element invited proposals from interested artists throughout the region, working in any discipline, to work as the first Artist in Residence at a SAMPAA conference. The selected artist will produce work throughout the conference week and bring their perspectives forward to the workshop.

The third element is the goal of establishing a more permanent program linking art and science in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. This may include, but is not limited to, an Artist in Residence program.

Workshop:

• The workshop will explore some of the existing synergies between the arts and sciences in Nova Scotia by a number of invited speakers, including Alice Reed and Bob Bancroft.
• Participants will be given an overview of the "Linking Arts and Sciences" initiative leading up to and included at the SAMPAA VI conference. They will be encouraged to discuss the value and explore the next steps of these initiatives.
• Explore the feasibility of developing a more permanent program linking art and science in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. This could develop in a variety of directions, limited only by our collective imagination. The benefits, both local and global, are substantial.
• Speakers and workshop participants will be challenged to find other avenues for collaboration between the arts and sciences, set achievable goals and present findings to the SAMPAA VI conference participants.

Workshop Outcomes:

• Identify methods to foster communication between the arts and sciences.
• Identify initiatives involving the arts and sciences that will promote environmental awareness and communicate conservation to a broader audience.
• Identify initiatives that will integrate the arts and sciences to raise awareness of and celebrate our connections to nature.
• Identify a more permanent program linking art and science in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.

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Community Mapping: Engagement in Bioregional Planning

The Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) and the Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) have an established reputation for the integration of Geomatics tools to address regional environmental issues. Community mapping is a grassroots approach for interested citizens to represent their knowledge of the landscape in a graphic format and to share this understanding with other members of the local and global community.

In recent months, we have been experimenting by empowering community groups with a variety of resources – maps, images, GPS and other technologies. The morning session will provide a backgrounder on the art of community mapping as well as the available science and technology. Our approach will be through a series of case studies, conducted as part of collaborative research at COGS and AGRG. In the afternoon, we will turn our attention to a regional case study: Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve and will develop a strategy and plan for a community atlas.

Check http://agrg.cogs.nscc.ca for further updates on the case studies.


Outcomes:

• take home a source book on Community Mapping
• experiential exposure to Community Mapping philosophy and methods
• access to people and technology resources in support of Community Mapping
• draft strategy for Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve community atlas
• transferable experience and network resources that can be applied to other geographies

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EMAN - Bridging the Gap between Science and Decision Makers: Tools for Effective Research and Monitoring Programs that Influence and Inform

EMAN has been engaged in the development of models and approaches for better linking research, monitoring and assessment programs to the needs of decision-makers for a number of years. This disconnection continues to be a principal constraint on the effectiveness with which the scientific community informs society's choices and actions at every scale.

A large part of the problem is that the nature of information which best informs society's decisions is often different than that which science routinely provides. Enhancements will be required if some of society's pressing goals such as sustained provision of ecosystem services, policy decisions adequately reflecting interacting economic, social and environmental factors and an engaged public making increasingly informed choices are to be achieved.

In many cases, decision-makers receive information well past the desirable point of intervention. This leads to a lag in policy decisions that may ultimately result in choices that are no longer timely or effective. Other aspects that affect science's capability to deliver information in an effective and timely way include the ability to adequately communicate science, the assumption of a responsibility to do so and the ability to deliver information that is specifically tailored to the needs of decision-makers including the public, stakeholders, industry, research personnel, and resource managers so that outcomes are improved. Early identification of key players and an understanding of their roles, impact strategies, relationship management and the development of social capital are emerging as important facets of any successful approach.

Through a combination of lead papers and extensive discussion, this workshop will aim to identify gaps and address improved ways to generate and deliver information effectively. A variety of models and experience will be discussed with the goal of developing an integrated approach that serves the broadest range of needs.

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Education and Ecological Integrity - Reaching across Boundaries

Parks Canada clearly identifies education as a key component of its mandate. This educational effort aims at increasing appreciation and understanding of Canada's natural and cultural heritage and at encouraging individual and community engagement in stewardship activities leading to the development of a culture of conservation.

To maintain and improve the ecological integrity of protected areas, it is essential to adopt an issue-focused approach in the development and implementation of education initiatives and to gain an understanding of the barriers and opportunities for public engagement. This approach ensures that educational initiatives target priority EI and SAR issues and engage regional communities, key audiences and partners having a stake in and influence over the health of greater park ecosystem areas.

Workshop Outcomes

• Increased understanding of the role of education in the maintenance and improvement of the state of ecological integrity and the conservation and recovery of species at risk
• Increased understanding of the barriers and opportunities for public engagement in the maintenance and improvement of the state of ecological integrity and the conservation and recovery of species at risk
• Validation of tools to facilitate the implementation of an issue-focused approach to ecological integrity and species at risk education
• Increased efficiency of management practices related to protected areas through the adoption of an issue-focused approach to ecological integrity and species at risk education

Workshop Content and Approaches

The workshop will include presentations, sharing of best practices and case studies, group tasks and participatory learning activities. The current content would be offered as a one-day workshop.

Presentations

Exploring the Role of Education - Theory and Practice Panel presentation followed by discussion with participants. Panellists to be confirmed (PC and external partners).

Sharing of Best Practices: Facilitated exchange of information on examples of best practices in the implementation of educational initiatives focused on the maintenance and improvement of ecological integrity or the conservation and recovery of species at risk. This facilitated exchange will lead to the emergence of principles that can be used as a filter for the development of future educational initiatives.

Understanding Public Engagement Facilitation of participatory activities to enhance and maximise the effectiveness of public engagement .

• Identifying and selecting key audiences
• Identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement
• Building on opportunities and motivation for engagement
• Evaluating success

Strengthening the network A plenary discussion to explore various ways in which participants can continue to share knowledge, best practices, research and innovation in the area of EI and SAR education. mm