The achieved results relied heavily on the collaboration and cooperation partnerships among various stakeholders, including government agencies, conservation organizations, scientists, and local communities. Collaboration with the Ministries/Government departments was key in sensitizing the communities on issues around human-wildlife conflict and suggested environmentally friendly ways to mitigate the conflict. The scientists were there to collect information related to wildlife poisoning and give feedback to the government ministries. The communities were the key stakeholder since they are the sole custodians of the environment.

The WIO-COMPAS programme arranges regional training sessions for their WIO-COMPAS programme. Where practical, the MPA staff may be facilitated to participate in this training. However, it is important to note that these training sessions may not be available at the time where staff capacity building is needed.

Where this is the case, a core team of local trainers may be established. The expertise presented by the trainers should be aligned with the seven core competence areas of the WIO-COMPAS programme. Preferably, internal expertise may be sourced from among MPA staff that have previously been certified and/or have a background in the competencies of focus. Where additional expertise is required, external partners may be included, or a consultant may be used. Alternatively, communication can be made to the WIO-COMPAS fraternity requesting for trainers to facilitate the training process.

After the training programme, it is necessary to select the trainees that showed the highest potential as mentors for the other MPA staff and assisting in the application process for the WIO-COMPAS certification. These mentors would also be contact persons for follow up and feedback to showcase progress in the assessment preparations.

Our team has identified the importance of accurate data collection, regular monitoring and oversight of data is done by the science and research adviser and Chief Operations officer to ensure accurate data is uploaded to the database. Population management and scientific decisions concerning the rhino population in the country are guided by the data collected during monitoring conducted by our patrol teams. Data based inputs are used to define the carrying capacity for wild-life based tourism and to plan and manage conservation and development activities.

There were two training sessions of the local NGO Toromiki no Mangareva conducted by SOP Manu. The NGO was recently created to protect the fauna and flora of Mangareva and the surrounding uninhabited islets and to involve children of the island in the protection of the environment. The two training sessions with Toromiki no Mangareva were an opportunity to spread knowledge and talk about the Kamaka restoration project. Many members are primary and secondary school teachers from Mangareva, who were able to deliver key messages to children of the island about seabirds, their threats and biosecurity.

Several members of the NGO are active members of the Gambier community (employees of the town hall, the Air Tahiti office, school teachers, and firefighters), and therefore have a lot of influence on the local population. Their involvement through training will help protect Kamaka in the future – as they were asked to communicate about this project and biosecurity measures to the local community.

Ya’axché employs an integrated landscape management approach which results in healthy ecosystems with high levels of biodiversity for protected areas under its care. Biodiversity monitoring has indicated that the populations of indicator species have remained comparable over the years. Because of the linkages between ecosystem health and human well-being, Ya’axché-through its conservation and sustainable development work positively impacts the lives of the people buffering the GSCP, securing watershed that provides important services and other forestry goods/services such as food, housing, medicinal plants, clean air, inter alia. 

Creating an enabling environment that is conducive to business requires strategic investment in the financing initiative. This is inclusive of financial investment, equipping the business with the tools and resources necessary to conduct operations, and providing training and capacity building of community enterprises that are service providers to visitors.  

Before the assessment, stakeholders were planning separately in their individual organizations. The assessment brought together Uganda Wildlife Authority, Centre for Research Uptake in Africa, Local Government of Kanungu, Rubanda and Kisoro and other key conservation organizations such as Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust, International Gorilla Conservation Programme, United Batwa Organisation Development in Uganda, Bwindi Batwa Community Development Association and Uplift the Rural Poor to collectively come up with an integrated action plan and take responsibility for their actions and inactions. This had not taken place in a long period of time. After the integrated action plan, each actor was able to take up their share of actions.

To catalyze revenue generation via ETB, strategic long-term business partnerships must be fostered and established with international and national partners. This includes securing partnerships via agreements with profitable customer bases such as international universities and institutions that work with student groups seeking experiential learning. In addition, securing business agreements with community-based sustainable eco-tourism enterprises to provide key products and services that will enhance the experiences of customers and help the business achieve its goals 

After an initial delay, the rat eradication operation was conducted in two campaigns between May 31st and July 3rd 2022, with a gap of 17 days between them. Aerial broadcast of bait containing brodifacoum at 25ppm was carried out by drone (UAV), which was more economical than a helicopter but presented significant operational challenges. The two campaigns were each completed at a minimum target rate of 30kg per hectare, with higher application rates applied along the coast and on steep faces. Baiting was supplemented by hand on the rocky coastline and steep faces. Buildings were treated by hand-baiting and bait stations. A total of 7,183.65 kg of bait was applied, 6210 kg by drone and 973.65 kg by hand. Eight full bags of bait (181.6 kg) were left securely stored in case it is required for a biosecurity response.

To establish a functional and sustainable financing initiative, and integrated business plan to generate funding for Ya’axche’s conservation work in the Maya Golden Landscape while creating economic opportunities for community-based sustainable enterprises and supporting community livelihoods. Key strategies include increasing the core customer base, securing strategic partnerships, strengthening marketing, and building financial and operational autonomy.