BIOPAMA (Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management) and University of the West Indies hosted a Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) workshop in the Bougainvillea Conference Room at the Bay Gardens Hotel, Rodney Bay Village,  St. Lucia from the 25 – 28 June, 2018. The theme for this workshop was “From knowledge to action for a protected planet.” St. Kitts was represented at this IUCN workshop by Luciano Eddy – Beach Conservation Officer at the Department of Marine Resources alongside the representative for Nevis, Ryan Khadou – Statistical Officer, Statistics Department, Nevis Island Administration. (BIOPAMA) hosted this workshop in support of their aims to improve the long-term conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, in protected areas and surrounding communities. It is an initiative of the ACP Group of States financed by the European Union’s 11th European Development Fund (EDF), jointly implemented in the Caribbean by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) and the University of the West Indies.

Day one (1) of this 3 day workshop, the official opening began with welcome remarks that was given by Hyacinth Armstrong-Vaughn – Protected Areas Officer, BIOPAMA Programme followed by a review of the workshop’s agenda and objectives. Jose Courrau and Marc Hockings (IUCN) presented an overview of the Management Effectiveness Framework.

Day two (2) of this workshop consisted of a review of the last day results of the group work and this was discussed between the participants and the Protected Areas Officer, BIOPAMA Programme – Hyacinth Armstrong-Vaughn. There was an introduction to the Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas and the implementation of the Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas in the world done by Marc Hockings (IUCN). He outlined the history of the Green list, the importance, etc. The IUCN (GLPCA) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas Programme (IUCN Green List Programme) aims to encourage, achieve, and promote effective, equitable and successful protected areas in all partner countries and jurisdictions.

On day (3) a field visit to the Pitons Management Area.

The Key components of the PMA include:

▪Pitons                                                            ▪ Nature Trails

▪Sulphur Springs                                         ▪ Endemic Species

▪Botanical Gardens                                     ▪ Unique dive and snorkel sites

▪Waterfalls

This field visit was a moment to test Green List Indicators to see if they were applicable to the PA’s in the participating countries of this workshop.