© Carlton Ward, Jr. Ancilleno Davis, Conservation Coordinator Northern Caribbean Program The Nature Conservancy and Marine Conservation in The Bahamas

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.

Program Director Eleanor Phillips Conservation Planner Sharrah Moss Senior Policy Advisor Stacey Moultrie Partnership Coordinator Partnership Coordinator Elvardo Thompson Marine Ecologist Felicity Burrrows ConservationCoordinator Ancilleno Davis Office Assistant Dorcas Miller

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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