Enhancing Our Heritage Toolkit: Management Effectiveness Framework

1. The Enhancing Our Heritage ToolkitSue Stolton, Equilibrium Research, UK

2. Presentation overview • Introduction to the concept of management effectiveness • Enhancing our Heritage: a brief introduction

3. Introduction to the concept of management effectiveness

4. ‘…the assessment of how well a protected area is being managed – primarily the extent to which it is protecting values and achieving goals and objectives’ (WCPA, 2006)

5. A little bit of history

6. Issue of management effectiveness was first raised at Bali World Parks Congress (WPC) in 1983 • Further call for action at Caracas in 1992, where effective management was identified as one of four major protected area issues of global concern • Independent systems developed during 1990s (Parks in Peril, WWF/CATIE, various park management agencies)

7. Developing the Framework • WCPA Working Group 1996 and Task Force 1998 • Publication of WCPA Best Practice Guidelines in 2000 • Revised Best Practice Guidelines in 2006

8. The WCPA Framework

9. Framework publication • Defines terminology • Develops a framework of evaluation criteria • Detailed advice on carrying out an assessment and using the results • Case studies concentrating on the process of carrying out an evaluation

10. Management follows a process

11. Contents of evaluation Context Where are we now? Planning Where do we want to be? Inputs What do we need? Process How do we go about it? Outputs What were the results? Outcomes What did we achieve? Criteria Significance Threats Vulnerability National policy Partners PA legislation and policy PA system design Reserve design Management planning Resourcing of agency Resourcing of site Suitability of management processes Results of management actions Services and products Impacts: effects of management in relation to objectives Focus of evaluation Status Appropriate-ness Economy Efficiency Effectiveness Effectiveness Appropriate-ness

12. Global Uptake • Over 40 different systems for assessing management effectiveness • Evaluations have taken place in over 7,000 sites in 100 countries • 90 per cent of the site assessments carried out with/or using systems that can be related to the WCPA Framework

13. Enhancing our Heritage(EoH)Developing a standardised assessment system for natural World Heritage sites

14. To work with managers of World Heritage sites to develop assessment, monitoring and reporting systems and by applying the results to adapt or enhance management • Demonstrate the potential to use the WCPA Framework to develop a consistent approach to management (through assessment, monitoring and reporting) on the state of conservation and management effectiveness of World Heritage sites that could be applied to World Heritage sites on an on-going basis

15. 7 year project of UNESCO and IUCN started in 2001 • Funded by the United Nations Foundation, with seed funding from US Forest Service • Carried out in co-operation with the University of Queensland, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Institute of India, IUCN regional office and many other regional/local organisations

16. Developed with managers • Working with protected area managers to develop assessment tools and processes • Self-assessment toolkit • Integrate into existing systems • Adaptation is encouraged • Aimed at site and system level uptake

17. Serengeti, Tanzania Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles Bwindi Impenetrable, Uganda Kaziranga, India Keoladeo, India Royal Chitwan, Nepal Sangay, Ecuador Rio Platano, Honduras Canaima, Venezuela

18. Brief description of project • Work with sites (managers and stakeholders) to develop assessment/monitoring based upon the WCPA Framework • Conduct assessments, develop and implement additional monitoring as needed • Implement small-scale projects in response to assessment • Gather lessons learnt and use these to: • Revise and improve the WCPA Framework and the developing EoH toolkit • Work with World Heritage Centre on application of WCPA Framework for reporting procedures under the Convention

19. Introduces management effectiveness concept Discusses assessment processes Explains and details the tools developed Includes case studies of trial sites Explores application to cultural sites Reviews next steps Tools also available as e-worksheets

20. What is a toolkit? =

21. What is a toolkit? = Vision Plan

22. What is a toolkit? = + Vision Adapt Plan

23. What is a toolkit? = + + + € Resources Vision Adapt Plan

24. What is a toolkit? = + + + € Resources Vision Adapt Plan + Expertise Training

25. What is a toolkit? = + + + € Resources Vision Adapt Plan = + Expertise Training

26. EoH Toolkit • Built around the WCPA Framework • 12 tools which can assess a range of indicators within the Framework • Many tools drawn from best practices around the world - but often simplified • Tools can be adapted to suit a site’s individual needs: • supplement existing assessment activities • point of reference to develop new assessment tools to meet site needs • build a complete assessment system • Feed into the development of management systems

27. Format of tools • Wording specific to natural WH sites but easily adaptable to any protected area and hopefully to cultural sites • Most assessments are qualitative, drawing on monitoring results: • data sheets assessing strengths/weaknesses • rating assessment against best practice benchmarks • Quantitative data is used in assessments of inputs, outputs and outcomes • All tools stress the need to include comment and explanation; recommendations and next steps

30. Context Tools • Tool 1: Identifying Site Values and Management Objectives • Background: Developed from TNC methodology for identifying priority conservation targets • Concept: Define ‘key’ values, including OUV and associated objectives which drive management and the assessment process • Methodology and datasheet: guides sites through the process of identifying range of values for biodiversity cultural, economic, educational and social values • Use in management planning: Helps define the purpose of management and link OUV to management objectives

31. Tool 2: Identifying Threats • Background: Developed from work carried out by TNC • Concept: Understanding the causes and impacts of threats and the urgency of action • Methodology and datasheet: Guidance on characteristics of current and potential threats for each value identified in tool 1 and summarise its impacts (extents and intensity) and the urgency of management responses (actions) • Use in management planning: Understands the context of management and the threats which the management plan need to address

32. Tool 3: Relationships with Stakeholders • Background: Draws on assessment developed in Australia and developed from work carried out by TNC and partners • Concept: Reviews the roles of stakeholder in management, rather than engagement in management • Methodology and datasheet: identifies the diverse groups of stakeholders of the protected area and review their relationships with managers • Use in management planning: Can help in identifying who to involve in the management planning process and issues that need to be addressed in management planning

33. Tool 4: Review of National Context • Background: Developed from the WCPA Framework • Concept: Reviews how national and international policies, legislation and government actions affect the effective management of a protected area • Methodology and datasheet: Simple data sheet which looks at the strengths and weaknesses of policy and legislation • Use in management planning: Can help identify areas for consideration in the process of management planning and management plan itself

34. Tool 5: Assessment of Management Planning • Background: Developed from best practice in protected area planning • Concept: Reviews status of planning documents and assesses the primary decision making document • Methodology and datasheet: decision-making framework; adequacy of information; needs and interests of any local and indigenous communities and other stakeholders • Use in management planning: Assess situation with current plan and highlights areas of success and improvement

35. Tool 6: Design Assessment • Background: Developed from best practice in protected area design • Concept: How the size, location and boundaries affect management • Methodology and datasheet: Assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of design: • ecological integrity (key habitats, size, external interactions and connectivity) • community well-being (cultural integrity and livelihoods) • how design affects the ease of management of the site (legal status and tenure, access points and neighbours) • Use in management planning: Context management

36. Input Assessment • Tool 7: Assessment of Management Needs and Inputs • Background: Datasheet developed by UWA for Bwindi • Concept: Evaluate management needs and the resources going to the site • Methodology and datasheet: Assessments of available resources (staff, equipment, infrastructure and funding) • Use in management planning: A reality check on management possibilities and constraints

37. Tool 8: Assessment of Management Processes • Background: Developed from an appendix in the first edition of the WCPA Framework and adapted following experiences developing the METT • Concept: Define desired standards for management and assess current management practices against best practices • Methodology and datasheet: Multiple choice questionnaire assessing performance (which should be adapted to site conditions) from poor to very good • Use in management planning: Identifies best practice management

38. Tool 9: Assessment of Management Plan Implementation orTool 10: Work/Site Output Indicators • Background: Fraser Island in Australia, Serengeti National Park • Concept: Is the management plan and/or work programme being implemented and what are the results, or outputs, from the management process? • Methodology and datasheet: System for ranking implementation status of activities outlined in primary planning document and ParkPlan electronic tool developed • Use in management planning: Tool 9 can aid in developing monitoring for management plan implementation

39. Outcomes • Tool 11: Assessing the Outcomes of Management • Background: Workshop on common elements of systems developed by TNC, Parks Canada and Kruger National Park, field tested in Serengeti • Concept: Assess if management is protecting the values for which the site was designated • Methodology and datasheet: Developing a monitoring plan (or deciding if an existing one is good enough), assessment of outcomes using the results of monitoring • Use in management planning: Development of comprehensive monitoring for assessing achievement of management objectives

40. Tool 12: Review of Management Effectiveness Assessment Results • Background: Developed to ensure users of the EoH toolkit reflect on results and develop plans to implement assessment findings • Concept: Simple format to encourage implementation of results • Methodology and datasheet: Review worksheet to develop action plan • Use in management planning: Not relevant unless action focussed towards management planning

41. Don’t panic

42. Building a management plan € + + + Resources Vision Adapt Plan + = Management plan Expertise Training

45. What next for the toolkit? • EoH Toolkit (available in English, French and Spanish soon) launched at the WCC in 2008 • Currently being used in West Africa, East Africa, and all Indian WH sites • Workshop on implementation in natural and cultural WH sites in Nordic countries in April ……. • Written into funding proposals and project plans by IUCN and the African World Heritage Fund • Being recommended in mission reports – in Peru etc

46. Information Iceberg Periodic Reporting Monitoring and assessment (EoH, reactive monitoring; national monitoring etc) Site Monitoring Site Monitoring Site Monitoring Site Monitoring WCPA Framework also influenced the development of a new electronic periodic reporting tool for all WH sites

47. For further information • Enhancing our Heritage: whc.unesco.org/en/series/23/