JECAMI 2.0

As the extension 2.0 says, JECAMI 2.0 is an advancement of JECAMI 1.0. While the previous version concentrated on the suitability of ecological connectivity, JECAMI 2.0 implemented a new concept, the "Strategic Alpine Connectivity Areas (SACA) 1 - 3 to enhance the usability of specific measures.

We defined the following definitions of the 3 SACA types:

 

SACA1: Ecological conservation areas where ecological connectivity already works quite well (CSI ≥ 8). Ecological connectivity should be conserved in these areas.
SACA2: Ecological Intervention areas that represent important links between SACA1 areas (ecological conservation areas). Connectivity is currently working to some extent but would benefit from enhancements. In these areas, improvement / restoration measurements are needed.

SACA3: Connectivity restoration areas represent important barriers between SACA1 areas (ecological conservation areas)

The definition of SACA types must be defined and accepted within the project group as well as by the observers of the project.

Create a simplification of ecological connectivity to improve the understanding of the effect of a measure was a useful task to act on the right place.

Material Recovery Facility (MAREFA)

A Material Recovery Facility (MAREFA) is a space that receives, sorts, processes and stores recyclable materials to be shipped and marketed to end-users. MAREFA accepts materials, whether source separated or mixed, and segregates, processes and stores them for later use as raw materials for remanufacturing and reprocessing. The main function of the MAREFA is to maximize resource recovery while producing materials that will generate the highest possible revenues in the market. MAREFA will also function to process wastes into a feedstock for biological conversion or into a fuel source for the production of energy. MAREFA serves as an intermediate processing step between the collection of recyclable materials from waste generators and the sale of recyclable materials to markets for use in making new products. There are basically four components of MAREFA: sorting, processing, storage, and load-out. MAREFA is privately owned and operated by COBWAMM.

 

  • Increased human consumption and production as a result of lifestyle changes 
  • Increasing volume and variety of items to be recovered from the markets up the value chain in recycling and manufacturing.
  • Increased demand versus supply of 'recoverables' to the job market
  • Population growth as a result of rapid urbanization
  • Importance of understanding demand versus supply on the waste management value chain is important
  • The effectiveness of the facility is dependant on the quality of human resources and handling tools inside the facility.
  • Awareness of generators on the importance of sorting at source is critical. 
  • Plastic has adverse effects on the environment thus requiring recovery but it doesn't always make business sense (better to sort at source).
  • Advice to anyone wishing to establish MAREFA: Let it be market-driven!
Zoning of waste collection neighbourhoods
  • Zoning of potential areas/neighbourhoods requiring waste collection services. 
  • Identification and recruitment of potential franchisee within priority zones.
  • Conduct demand stimulations.
  • Connect the franchisee with the zone for service provision by providing training, tools and equipment. 
  • Provision of the brand to the franchisee.
  • Provision of tools and equipment to the franchisee.
  • Provision of training and awareness to the franchisee.
  • Enhanced access to the market for the delivery of waste management services.
  • The concept of the franchise in its entirety is critical when setting up an innovation that involves the selling of franchise models. 
  • The ambiguity of the laws causes hindrances to many youths and women subscribing to service provision. 
  • The mindset of youths and women towards the provision of waste collection services creates a subscription barrier among them. 
  • Reliance on the county government to provide waste removal does not work. 

 

Legal Framework on Waste Governance

The project references and aligns with the relevant legal framework making it easier to influence and persuade current and prospective clients. The existence of a County legal framework on waste governance is critical for the success of the project. 

The National Solid Waste Management Strategy spells out national targets on waste management and is also important for the project.

Existence of a waste governance structure that includes the National Solid Waste Management Strategy and the National Sustainable Waste Management Bill, 2019. They are important enablers of the implementation of waste management project by helping regularise and organize all actors within the waste value chain. 

The role of government in waste management is critical and manifests through policies and bills which have proven to be the blue print and reference point for actors in the sector.

There is, however, the challenge of policy overlaps which can result in hefty charges and taxes within the waste sector. 

Construction of a private-public agreeement and a tool for the evaluation of coral reef nurseries

There was a need to collaborate between stakeholders and secure the resources to carry out specific field activities like the monitoring and evaluation of coral reef nurseries, which cannot be carried out solely by the public or the private sector indenpendently. In the DR, an agreement between the CDRC (Dominican Coastal Restoration Consortium) and the Ministry of Environment was signed so that the CDRC could lead the monitoring and evaluation of every coral nursery in the country, with the technical support of the Ministry. 

 

In order to carry out the monitoring and evaluation of coral nurseries, the CDRC created a specific manual. 

  • Willingness of public and private institutions to work toghether. 
  • A shared objective for both institutions. 
  • The need of monitoring and evaluation of nurseries all along the country. 
  • Technical and scientific knowledge and expertise. 
  • Involvement of public institutions in processes carried out by private sector or NGOs is key to achieve goals and have access to projects, in this case nurseries, in every part of the country. 
  • A good explanation, including field activities, for government officials and decision makers is key to achieve engagement. 
  • A good suggestion would be to try to keep things simple. An agreement like this one should be easy to understand and focused on one specific subject.
Working closely with the community

Working closely with the community respects the diversity of traditions, acknowledging elements of a backward nature.

 

The community work must begin with the interests and needs of the community itself; the work should act as the protagonist in the solution to problems.

 

The purpose of the governance processes that the Institute applies is to facilitate communication processes between the organization and the communities, using methodology based on inclusive management workshops.

 

  1. In the Brazil region, it is known that nature conservation is 90% related to local communities. Bearing this in mind, the Institute is building relationships and creating a long-term work plan.
  2. The bonds of trust that are established with the communities are crucial to being able to work closely with them.
  3. Government governance processes
  4. Governance processes in indigenous and community-based conservation areas.
  1. Several organizations have participated in initiatives in an effort to ensure conservation in and development of communities. However they have not been able to do so because they have not been able to understand and respect the communities.
  2. Various organizations still do not understand that 90% of conservation projects involve communities and indigenous peoples
  3. It is important to work hand in hand with government governance processes; effective management of the territory will be achieved by involving stakeholders.
Community training

In addition to fighting fires, the brigades have the task of reducing agricultural burns. They achieve this by visiting neighbouring communities and giving talks to raise awareness among the inhabitants and training them on NOM 015, the Mexican standard that regulates the use of controlled agricultural fires.

This exercise has resulted in agreements not to burn at sites near and within the reserve and the scheduling of burns at sites that are allowed under certain circumstances.

Communication skills training for brigade members.

 

Additional materials to be provided during discussions with farmers.

 

The brigade members are people from the same Volcano communities, so their message is well received by the people.

 

The activities should be carefully scheduled, so that talks about the burns take place before the start of the planting season and the occurrence of any fires. 

 

The message should be consistent and should be communicated in various ways, including talks, brochures, teaching materials, posters, radio broadcasts, etc. 

Brigade training

The firefighters trained by CONAFOR-CONANP are in turn responsible for gathering together, training and equipping people from the Tacaná Volcano communities to form community brigades. Additional resources are sought from foundations that can complement CONANP's budget. For example, in 2020, FONCET [Fondo de Conservación el Triunfo = El Triunfo Conservation Fund] donated a truck to transport the brigades from the region. 

 

So far, 45 people from the Tacaná Volcano communities have been trained to fight fires.

 

 

 

 

Good relationship of the communities with CONANP authorities and other institutions, since they are the ones who bring people together.

 

The proximity of the communities to the reserve allows them to come quickly if necessary.

 

Sharing of experiences and good relationship with Guatemalan firefighters, since the other half of the volcano is in that country. 

 

Training should be done with the necessary equipment. There have been times when there have been fires and trained firefighters have been available, but there has been no required equipment available, so they have not been able to put out the fire.

A budget must be prepared to equip the brigades and to replace the equipment when it is damaged. It is essential to ensure that the work is done at minimum risk.

 

 

Personal training and coaching

It is important that CONANP staff include people who are trained and experienced in fire management. CONANP has provided scholarships so that its personnel can be trained by establishing partnerships with CONAFOR [Comisión Nacional Forestal = National Forestry Commission], which gives these courses in Mexico, and with the U.S. National Forest Service. For the latter courses, CONANP only has to cover travel expenses.

 

Partnerships with CONAFOR and with expert fire management institutions.

 

Availability of staff to learn new things. 

 

 

 

There are many training opportunities, but it is important to have good time management to take advantage of these opportunities. 

 

It is important to invest in these training sessions since they are required so that later on CONANP staff can give front line training to the volunteer brigades.

 

Both men and women can take this training.

 

 

 

Strengthening the Department of Archaeology and Conservation in the National Park

The National Park counts with exceptional archaeological components. Yet, it only counted with one specialist among its staff. With approximately 20,000 archaeological sites located within the park boundaries, from which 1,000 Moai and 300 Ahu or ceremonial structures stand out, besides dwelling structures, rock art, and caves, the current administration has prioritized the safeguarding of the archaeological component, as highly significant for the living community. The strenghtening of the special department for the research and study of the preservation of this important cultural heritage enables the development of conservation strategies specific for this type of heritage, as well as the reconnection of the community with their cultural assets. The majority of these assets are exposed to the island climate conditions, as well as to decay due to the touristic use and the anthropic and livestock impacts. Among other activities, this new unit has developed:

  • Capacity building and acquisition of digital recording tools for the diagnosis of the archaeological heritage.
  • Conservation projects based on a portfolio of sites in emergency and a methodology that collects traditional rapanui knowledge linking it to scientific knowledge.
  • Partnerships and networking on climate change impacts.
  • Archaeology specialists among the Rapa Nui community
  • Establishment of institutional technical support through the STP (Secretaría Técnica Rapa Nui, CMN/Technical Secretary Rapa Nui)

(1) Need for a specialized department for research and conservation of archaeological heritage within the National Park.

(2) Need of articulating and coordinating work with other institutions that have interference heritage issues.