WPC / WCPA Steering Committee

1. WPC / WCPA Steering Committee WCPA Information Management Task Force Durban, South Africa October 28 – November 1, 2002

2. Agenda • The WDPA Consortium process: Background and status • WDPA core database architecture • A vision for the World Database on Protected Areas • Present state of the WDPA • The WDPA Review process by WCPA members • The WCPA Collaboration Portal

3. WDPA Review and Users Need Assessment, August 2001

4. Recommendation # 2 • This review recommends that the existing Project Steering Group be maintained and expanded, and that a meeting be held to progress planning as early in 2002 as funding can be found. [p.28]

5. Current Partners in the WDPA Consortium • Birdlife International (BI) • Conservation International (CI) • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (endorsement) • The Nature Conservancy (TNC) • UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre • World Commission on Protected Areas • World Resources Institute • WWF

6. To: Members of the Consortium for the World Database of Protected Areas 8 October 2002 Dear ColleaguesWorld Database on Protected Areas I am greatly encouraged by the progress that we have made together over the past months to consolidate the development of the World Database on Protected Areas as a consortium-led activity. The Centre’s staff and UNEP itself are fully committed to taking forward the WDPA consortium – as you know we have the full support of the Executive Director, Klaus Töpfer, and his interactions with the IUCN Director General , Achim Steiner, have been most positive. The Centre is fully committed to the consortium principles, including the placing of data in the public domain. As custodians of the WDPA core database, we carry important responsibilities and a duty of care towards both data providers and data users. We will seek to maximise accessibility while at the same time ensuring that the rights of data providers are fully understood and protected, and that the integrity of database versions is maintained. I am sure that the consortium can build on the excellent progress made so far to address goals common to our various institutions. Let us look towards jointly delivering to the world community the best possible information resource on protected areas whilst continuing to create improvements and wider ownership of the information content and process. I very much hope that the visit by technical staff from the Centre to Washington later this week will prove another constructive stage in the process, and I should like to thank you all for your support in establishing this opportunity. With kind regards Yours sincerely Mark Collins MA MBA PhD Director UNEP-WCMC

7. “DATA FEST 2002” Protected Areas Data Collectivization October 11-16 At CABS GIS Laboratory Conservation International 1919 M St. NW, Suite 600, Washington DC 20036 (202) 912-1000

8. 1. The core dataset to be a publicly and freely available resource, managed in accordance with defined quality control and metadata standards. 2.  Further datasets linked to the core database to remain the property of those who have developed them (and who remain responsible for quality control and metadata provision). 3. To work towards the avoidance of duplication, ensuring synergy, and ensuring reduced pressure on national governments and others to provide information. Working Principles

9. 4.Moves to be made towards a distributed approach to data management, through development of incentives and guidelines for contributors, and appropriate recognition of sources. 5.  All new approaches to database development and delivery to be pilot tested with collaborators before full implementation to ensure feasibility and that the result meets user requirements. 6. A monitoring and evaluation program to be implemented, incorporating indicators of usage and success, and the solicitation of feedback . Working Principles (cont.)

10. 7. The development and delivery of the World Database on Protected Areas and the associated information services to be integrated with the WCPA strategic plan, the associated work of the IUCN Program on Protected Areas, and the work of other international agreements, programmes and organizations that relate to protected areas. 8. The database should be designed to deal with conflicting information so as to indicate the most credible source. For an objective analysis, an Oversight Technical Committee, comprising key members of WCPA and other key partners institutions, should be instituted to provide quality control. Working Principles (cont.)

11. 9. The planning and development of an upgraded World Database on Protected Areas should be an inclusive process that can promote new partnerships with key institutions dealing with PA issues. This should also include partnerships with other IUCN Commissions and Programmes, giving particular attention to develop linkages with the SSC Species Information System initiative. 10.The World Database on Protected Areas should be promoted as the authoritative standard for global conventions, particularly CBD, WHC, CMS, and Ramsar. This should be promoted as one of the targets to achieve during the World Parks Congress. Working Principles (cont.)

12. WDPA core database architecture

14. National protected areas sites and systems CORE DATASET Protected areas Internationally recognized and designated sites Other designated areas

15. Country · Protected area designations ·     Protected area agencies ·     Contact details for agencies Site ·      Country (and/or other geopolitical unit) ·      National designation ·      IUCN Management Category ·      Area (hectares) ·      Area which is marine (hectares) ·      Year established ·      Geographic location (latitude/longitude) ·      Boundary file (at 1:1 million) ·      Relationship with other sites CORE DATASET: Country / Site From Hegerl, et al. p.23

16. CORE DATASET: “International site” • Country (and/or other geopolitical unit) • Convention or programme • Criteria (as appropriate) • Area (hectares) • Area which is marine (hectares) • Year established • Geographic location (latitude/longitude) • Relationship to other sites • Boundary file (at 1:1 million) From Hegerl, et al. p.23

17. A vision for the WDPA

18. Web Core World Database on Protected Areas Biodiversity Information Commons WDPA becomes essential authority dictionary in the commons structure WDPA: part of a larger strategy for sharing conservation information

19. Web Core World Database on Protected Areas Linked to other spatial data layers on the web • NASA R/S images • WWF Ecoregions • CI Hotspots • FAO Soils • etc. Can access and use any GIS & R/S dataset available on the web

20. Web Core World Database on Protected Areas Linking to other Conservation Information Systems • IUCN/SSC • Species Information System Links PA to species data allowing new analysis: gap, conservation effectiveness,…

21. Web Core World Database on Protected Areas Direct link to Global Stakeholders Information Systems • CBD • World Heritage Center • MAB Biosphere Reserves • RAMSAR • Climate Change • The Law of the Sea • other UN conventions • other global stakeholders: WTO, mining, … • etc. All use same core set, but manage their own data / information (some of it public)

22. Web Core World Database on Protected Areas Linked data and information from research efforts by wide range of organizations • Climate Change studies • People and PAs • Fires and PAs • Monitoring data • etc. Any research data can be attached to the core set

23. Web Core World Database on Protected Areas Linked to WCPA Collaboration Portal and activities • On-going GAP analysis and priority setting • Support to regional networks • Members PA assessments • PA monitoring • Etc. Information captured in the portal directly relates to core set

24. Web Core World Database on Protected Areas Park managers, conservationists, students, decision makers, users… The Learning Network: sharing knowledge across countries, across cultures…

25. This vision is possible now! The technology is ready The impact on conservation would be incredible Let’s make it happen!

26. Where are we today?The State of the WDPA

27. WDPA on Line: support for review process

28. % of PAs with spatial data per country

29. Original scale of PA data per country

31. WDPA: Integration of existing datasets

32. Review process: comparison of 2 datasets

34. WDPA Consortium UN List 2003 DataUpdate and VerificationRequests UNEP IUCN Expert Evaluation of data State of the World’s Parks Updated & reviewed data ARCBC, EEA, SPREP CI, TNC, WWF… WCPA Regional Vice Chairs National Governments (includes Federal,State / Provincial) Interactive support whereappropriate WDPA Data Standardization, Input, Integration, Verification

35. Organizations / agencies acting as regional support nodes • Liaise with and support national agencies and WCPA Regional Vice Chairs in updating PA data. • Provide up-to-date information where applicable (WDPA Consortium contributors). • Verify final data with sources.

36. The WDPA 2003: WCPA Members Review Process

37. Review Process • Objective: analyze available data and provide feedback to improve database • Based on the use of the WDPA on-line and the WCPA portal • Nov & Dec 2002: work with regional chairs in defining regional strategy and national leaders • Jan 1st, 2003: review process starts • Through regional chairs, national focal points and regional WPC preparatory meetings

38. Review questions • Is the dataset complete? • Missing any type of areas? • Are all existing areas included? • Quality and Accuracy of the data? • Both spatial and attribute data, metadata • Any additional sources of data or expertise?

39. The WCPA Collaboration Portal

40. September 2002: agreements on members access to portal • October 28, 2002: tutorial sent to all members • November 9: upload of membership, email sent to all members

41. Agreements • Portal: members and friends only • Portal introduction screen directs all users to the WCPA website • In order to enter the portal you MUST log in with your name and password • Membership to the portal • Centralized, managed by Delwyn Dupuis • Support to members: Delwyn, Carola Borja

42. Portal Membership • Need to allow a larger membership to portal • Members • WCPA members • Associates (determined by each member) • Guests (determined by SC members)