From Knowledge to Action: A Case Study of Protected Area Management Effectiveness in Belize.
Wildtracks Conservation Planning Unit Director, Zoe Walker, joined the BIOPAMA and Belize Audubon Society teams in Vancouver for the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress. The BIOPAMA session provided an opportunity for Belize to showcase its use of protected area management effectiveness as a tool to ensure strong marine protected areas that deliver the key outputs of biodiversity protection, ecosystem services and socio-economic benefits.
Zoe Walker (Wildtracks) presenting on protected area management effectiveness
IMPAC 5 recognizes the oceans as a global priority - they represent over 90 per cent of the living space for species on the planet, supporting billions of people around the world. They generate oxygen; provide food security, climate resilience and storm protection; preserves biodiversity and create cultural and economic opportunities for humankind. IMPAC 5 provided an opportunity for the global community to come together to share experiences, learn from each other and to chart a course for achieving global conservation targets to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030.
IMPAC 5 brought marine protected area practitioners together against the backdrop of the mountains of Vancouver
Wildtracks was hosted by BIOPAMA (the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme), which assists the African, Caribbean (including Belize) and Pacific countries to address priorities for improved management and governance of biodiversity and natural resources. It supports actions on the ground in Belize through the BIOPAMA Action component.