Conservation Action Planning (CAP) is a method for planning, executing and evaluating environmental conservation initiatives within ecoregions. It is generally introduced when there is good scientific information available about a clearly identifiable natural area, and where overall conservation goals have been largely identified, which is the case in the A2A region.
CAP provides an adaptive, pragmatic management framework to support the development and implementation of concrete conservation actions. The framework is structured to emphasize results and continuous learning through on-going monitoring and assessment. CAP has been developed, implemented and tested by the Nature Conservancy (U.S.) over many years, and is consistent with the Open Standards for Conservation Practice. Information on the Open Standards approach can be found here. More locally, since 2008, CAP has been used by the Carolinian Canada Coalition to develop conservation strategies for “biodiversity hotspots”, part of the Coalition’s on-going work helping to coordinate ecosystem recovery efforts in the Carolinian Life Zone. Information on the Carolinian Canada program can be found here. Structure and scope: The CAP framework is made up of four basic components: defining a conservation project; developing conservation strategies and measures; implementing the strategies and measures; and using project results to adapt and improve. This is the framework that is applied around the world in almost every type of ecoregion imaginable. The scale of a conservation action plan is flexible. Needs, resources, and capacities may vary from project to project within an ecoregion or natural area, and the CAP process can still serve as the primary planning mechanism. It can also be adapted to meet many different types of conservation goals, ranging from conservation of species, sites, ecosystems, landscapes, and watersheds, all the way to seascapes and marine areas. A wide array of outcomes from CAP activities is possible, varying according to: locally-developed consensus about a region’s needs; available resources; and existing knowledge and capacity. For example, target outcomes could range from specific site improvements, e.g., quantifiable reductions of invasive plant species, to the identification of gaps in scientific knowledge that can be addressed in subsequent conservation activities in a given CAP area. Process: The CAP process emphasizes the importance of local involvement and local guidance and brings together local partners to set conservation objectives and strategies through structured information sharing, collaboration and consensus. CAP integrates place-based knowledge with evolving scientific understanding to drive the selection of appropriate conservation actions and to achieve specific outcomes. The CAP process asks participants to engage in a structured dialogue to identify what they want to conserve; their current best understanding of what constitutes “good health” for a given conservation target; and what the current conditions are regarding this target. These discussions lead to establishing objectives and specific actions to conserve a particular target. Each action is accompanied by measures that enable participants to assess progress, adapt and learn. |
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