Best-available science was adapted to the local conditions in the form of research methods and field activities (i.e., approach to community-based mangrove replantation). Both scientific literature and local scientists were involved in the design and implementation of our approach. We drew from international and national scientific expertise and experience to design the areas that were to be deforested (aerial surveys, GIS mapping, satellite imaging), and the species to be replanted (depending on surveyed mangrove natural zonation). In addition, the approach to engage local stakeholders is based on similar recorded experiences in the Philippines. In relation to the Blue Carbon estimation, we used the methods agreed upon by an international group of Blue Carbon scientists, and these methods were implemented by local scientists. The estimation was directed by a scientific expert on the subject and followed international guidelines, and a botanist was hired to direct the mangrove replantation efforts.

12 Club P.A.N. sessions are held in outdoor nature classrooms. Sessions typically involve fact sheets, activities, role playing, songs and games with animal puppets which are based around a chosen theme. Themes deal with ecosystem services, wildlife conservation, sustainability, healthy living and the importance of biodiversity. We aim to promote positive club spirit through interactive ways of learning and essentially having fun.

Park authorities, communities and NGO’s developing a clearly articulated and agreed process to address issues. Land tenure and user rights secured for communities inside the park through participatory land-use planning and zonation with park authorities and NGO partners. Robust social institutions developed or strengthened to manage activities and decision-making in communities

The bulk of our capacity building effort in Belize was aimed at enabling stakeholders to replicate our valuation methods. We focused at the MPA level, where we worked with a number of NGOs, as well as Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Fisheries Department, to develop a template for applying the national valuation methods in MPAs. We worked with co-managers for several MPAs in Belize to compile data on use of the reserves for fishing and tourism. For many MPAs, this exercise highlighted gaps in current data collection, and drew attention to chronic undercounting of visitors and user fees. We produced preliminary valuations for all of the MPAs we worked with. We conducted a workshop summarizing our efforts in November 2008 and invited all organizations working on MPAs to attend. A great deal of interest was expressed in the economic valuation template. We have made it available electronically along with a detailed user’s guide. Several MPAs have already committed to adapting their current data collection efforts to better support economic analysis.

We worked with local stakeholders at all levels of the project. Thanks to strong commitment from local women in particular, stakeholders, under guidance from an expert, took responsibility over the nursing and replantation of over 8000 mangrove plants. Local stakeholders were also engaged in capacity building for tourism microentrepreneurs, and an education program was launched at three schools. Prior clarification of the values and interests that motivate local stakeholders proved to be key in project design and implementation. Investing significant amounts of time working with and supporting the communities is critical to its success. In general, science was integrated throughout stakeholder engagement, including the education program. Specific activities include using current knowledge to present the value of mangroves to local children; designing and implementing the replantation program; and presenting the blue carbon assessments (i.e. scientific research) to local policy makers.

At the end of every school year, Club P.A.N. hosts a Parents’ Day, where all village members are invited to watch their children perform and discuss their sessions. This ensures that not only children, but also parents and villagers are also exposed to conservation education in a fun atmosphere. This also creates pride in the village for their younger generation and the children in turn feel proud of what they have learned and are more eager to share their knowledge.

When the region was set to be designated as a Reserve Zone, a Fishermen’s Association united 16 fisheries groups that had been using marine resources in the area for decades. To reduce conflicts between local people and the protected area authority, it was made clear that pre-existing rights, such as the fishermen’s, would be respected. In the technical document presented to the government for the declaration of the Reserved Zone, it was clearly stated that groups organized through the fishermen’s association historically used the area’s marine resources. During the Reserve Zone categorization process, the government defines the final category and extent of the protected area based on conservation objectives and imposes natural resource use restrictions. In principle, this is when local participation, dialogue and scientific data have to be considered to decide the future management scheme of the protected area. Several meetings were held with each of the fishermen groups and their association to explain the different protected area categories provided by the legal system. Thanks to the participatory process, San Fernando was declared as a National Reserve and the local fishermen felt involved and heard in the process.

After developing several communications products geared to different audiences, we released the valuation findings at the International Year of the Reef Symposium in Belize City in November 2008. We also distributed findings in a six-page summary pamphlet for decision makers; several local partners also incorporated the results into videos shown to the Prime Minister and other officials at the gala event that evening. At the request of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), we also produced a one-page document aimed at policymakers and have distributed it through PACT and other local partners. We also made Excel-based tools to facilitate replication of our valuation methods and data collection. These tools and users’ manuals, along with the full technical report and summary, are all freely available for download at our website. The Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, along with WWF, WCS, Oceana, and many other local NGOs, have used the economic valuation findings in their efforts to negotiate for tighter fishing regulations, new mangrove legislation, a ban on offshore oil drilling, and other conservation and sustainable management goals.

The national authority begins the process to create a protected area management committee by inviting interested local stakeholders. Members are registered, and a council and a President are elected by the General Assembly. The management committee itself becomes a space for dialogue and allows issues to be discussed before tensions turn into conflicts. It also facilitates support from local stakeholders to the protected area management authority to carry out specific activities. The Fishermen’s Association and collectives are also members of the management committee and are active in the general assembly. A representative from the Fishermen’s Association was elected as President of the Management Committee, legitimizing the association as one of the most powerful and relevant actors in the protected area. This made communications between fishermen and government authorities more fluid and management decisions are made based on formal processes.

As the Wet Tropics Management Authority works with more than 20 Aboriginal communities in the Wet Tropics region, it was important we use a transparent and fair process to select a group to undertake a P3DM. An expression of interest was developed and distributed outlining parameters of the project, its potential benefits and what would be required of the community. Written applications were assessed, and applicants interviewed against a series of questions. Selection was based on a combination of the written applications and interviews.