Biodiversity Protection : Stakeholder Participation : Capacity Building NATIONAL PARKS AND PROTECTED AREA

JAMES MACGREGORPLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

PRESIDENT Institutional Structuring Economic Impact Resource Management ECOPLAN:NET

TELEPHONE 212 37 749 444 3 James has 36 years FACSIMILE 212 37 749 444 experience in national park and protected area ecoplan:net planning in 13 countries in Asia, Providing protected area planning, site North America, Africa and Eastern design, training, institutional structuring Europe

RECENT PROTECTED AREA PLANNING ASSIGNMENTS

STRUCTURING ROMANIA’S NATIONAL AGENCY FOR NATIONAL PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS (NAPA), 2007-2008. James served as Team Leader for the Finnish Consulting Group (FCG) to structure the new national agency for the the management of Romania’s National and Natural Parks and Retezat National Park Romania more than 600 Natura 2000 sites Continued on Page 2

WADI GEMEL NATIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK AND TOURISM STRATEGY, USAID AND CHEMONICS INTERNATIONAL, 2007 James served as Team Leader for a USAID Wadi Gemel National Park, Red Sea Pacific Rim National Park funded management plans for Egypt's latest national park located in the Southern Red Sea “protected area Region.. The park included a marine, coastal, management desert and mountain component. Continued on Page 2 integrates biodiversity RETEZAT NATIONAL PARK SUSTAINABLE protection, visitor TOURISM STRATEGY, ROMANIA, USAID, 2007 education and Retezat National Park was eager to join the economic exclusive PAN Park Network but required a Sustainable Tourism Strategy for both the park and development” the surrounding region.

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Wadi Gemel National Park Southern Red Sea, Egypt Park Boardwalk

Romania’s National Agency natural park and protected area for National Protected Areas personnel and Biodiversity ✴Identifying the role for NGO’s and C o n s e r v a t i o n ( N A P A ) Natura 2000 sites ‘Good ✴Comprehensive Job Descriptions for governance, Institutional Structuring and all senior staff (headquarters and Business Plan for the Ministry of parks). professional Environment and Sustainable ✴ Development and the World Bank, National Communication Strategy management, 2007-2008 ✴Human Resource Strategy and continuous 5 -year Training Plan Team Leader training and When Romania joined the European ✴NAPA Business Plan (2009-2013) Union, in 2007, its National Parks and including the expenditure of 250 sincere Protected Areas became eligible to million euro EU Structural Funds community access millions of euros for the relations are development of the Network, the Wadi Gemel National Park implementation of the EU Birds and Management Plan Framework fundamental to Habitats Directives and the expansion Southern Red Sea Region, for USAID/ the operation of the EU protected area network Egypt and Chemonics International of a within the guidelines of Natura 2000. Team Leader NAPA was designed to create a responsible strong institutional structure, improve A comprehensive development, protected the overall management of the operational and management action protected areas and to effectively plan framework was prepared including area” distribute EU Structural Funds to site identification of the visitor identified projects. information and interpretation centers, Romania’s low-impact accommodation, Roman NAPA Structure James directed an international team ruins restoration, and long term of planners, economists, lawyers and marketing. and Business regulators. The assignment included: Revenue centers were identified to Plan ✴Assessment of the current protected ensure that the protected area would area administration and structure have adequate finances to operate (governance, planning, management, after USAID support ended in 2008. etc.) A co-management approach was also ✴Defining the overall structure and proposed in collaboration with the legal framework for the 70 staff local Ababda nomadic tribes, who are headquarters and 300 national and living within the park.

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National Park Management Plans and Tourism Strategies

Retezat National Park (RNP) Macin National Park Sustainable Tourism Management Plan (Tourism Development Strategy for USAID/ and Economic Development Romania, Chemonics International and Component), for USAID/Romania PAN Parks and Chemonics International, 2005 Project Consultant Project Consultant Technical services The strategy was prepared as part of a were provided to requirement for entry into the PAN assist with the (Protected Area Network) Park System, location and an alliance of select European National development of the Parks. The process involved t o u r i s m s e r v i c e s establishing the PAN Park Group, a within and adjacent to local private sector association that the national park. would work with the RNP to establish B e c a u s e o f i t s the park and region as an international location in the tourism destination. Danube Delta, The process was successful and tourism demand for Retezat, Romania’s oldest National interpretive services Calimani National Park Romania Park, received certification in 2006 and was increasing, including is now a member of the PAN Parks. r e q u e s t s f r o m t o u r operators the construction of a information centre and associated Calimani National Park (CNP) trails. A tourism product planning Management Plan (Tourism and workshop was provided to national Economic Development park and local UNDP staff. “this Retezat Component), for USAID/Romania and National Park Chemonics International Andasibe National Park Tourism Project Consultant Management Plan for VITA Strategy will be Consulting services were provided to (Volunteers in Technical Assistance) a model for identify the role of tourism product and USAID/Madagascar future PAN development and visitor services within Project Manager Park A comprehensive development and the management plan that was proponents prepared by park staff. All necessary zonation plan was prepared for tourism facilities (trails, interpretation Madagascar’s most popular national who wish to center) and services (e.g. horseback parks (due to its proximity to the become a riding, tent camps) were identified and capital city). The plan focused on member of the mapped. National and international tour day-use visitor services and a lemur operators were contacted for conservation program. network” collaboration and participation in the A Visitor Management Plan was marketing process. prepared that included the site selection and design guidelines for a PAN Parks The CNP was also positioned as a new Visitor Interpretation Centre. A Executive tourism attraction within the greater Trail program was prepared Vatra Dornei Tourism Region. A connecting hikers to the villages in workshop, identifying the economic the park buffer zone thus increasing development opportunities from park the economic impact of the park and resources was designed and presented reducing slash and burn agricultural to local stakeholders and residents. practices.

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National Park and Protected Area Ecotourism Product Development, Capacity Building, Communications and Marketing James has prepared regional tourism development strategies that include national parks and protected areas a principle attraction. The planning process includes working closely with park officials and integrating sustainable principles into the regional development plans

Madagascar National Parks and Chtoutka Ait Baha and Souss Protected Areas Ecotourism Massa Draaa National Park Development Strategy and Sustainable Tourism Strategy, for ANGAP Restructuring, the Province of Chtouka Ait Baha, USAID/SAVEM Project and Tropical Morocco 2006-2007 Research and Development, Team Leader (1996-1997) Team Leader This region and national park are James worked within the offices of strategically located ANGAP (National Association for the just south of Agadir, Management of Protected Areas) to Morocco’s most both develop a national ecotourism popular coastal tourist strategy as well as structure the destination (700,000 organization as a business operation visitors/year). The Park committed to both conservation and is situated along 75 KM tourism development across the 39 of some of the best Madagascar National Parks national parks and protected areas. beach resources in Extensive training was provided to the Morocco and the ANGAP staff (visitor management, adjacent lands have high investment interpretation, tour product potential for the local villages. development) environmental NGO’s The strategy identified a structure for a and tour operators throughout the cooperative relationship between the country (Nosey Be, Tulear, etc.). provincial authorities and the national park administration as well as the role Ifrane National Park and Region of the national park within the regional ‘Exuma Ecotourism Development sustainable tourism development Coastal Zone Strategy (2005-2010) for the Ministry strategy. of Water and Forest, and National Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco Island of Exuma (Bahamas) Marine Park Project Director Coastal Zone Management and National Marine Park Tourism Master Plan’ The regional Ecotourism Strategy was Master Plan, for the Commonwealth prepared to both establish a long-term Secretariat (London), the Nature development action plan as well as Conservancy (USA) and Bahamas Winner integrate the national park into the Ministry of Tourism, 1996 tourism economy of the region. Team Leader Caribbean Emphasis was placed on working with Tourism the communities within the park to A comprehensive Coastal Zone generate alternative revenue and Management Plan, including the Exuma Organization consequently reduce the stress on the National Marine Park was developed in ‘Environment natural resources. cooperation with US and Bahamian Award’-1998 NGO’s, international donors, local Visitor surveys were conducted communities and the private sector. throughout the park to determine Training programs, including ecotourism development priorities. A particular development, green management of emphasis was placed on identifying the hotels and biodiversity conservation needs of the national tourists. measures were designed and facilitated by James.

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Royal Bengal Tiger Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, Bangladesh Gatineau Park Cyclist

Sunderbans National Gatineau National Park Multiple Park and Tiger Reserve Area use Trail System Development Ecotourism Development Plan, Strategy for ANZDEC and the for the National Capital Commission, “New revenues Asian Development Bank (ADB), Ottawa, Canada Bangladesh Project Director generated by Protected Area and Ecotourism this Planning Specialist Gatineau National Park is one of the ecotourism oldest protected areas in Canada. It generates over 1 million visitors each strategy will The Sunderbans is the largest delta year because of its proximity to the support and mangrove forest in the world and nation's capital. Over the years dozens habitat comprises a 2500 sq. km. wildlife of trails were developed, in an reserve. James was one of three unplanned fashion, to serve hikers, protection for specialists preparing an economic cyclist and skiers. the Royal development strategy for the Sunderbans region in Southern James was hired to both assess the Bengal Bangladesh to increase local jobs and quality and relevance of the existing Tiger...it may revenues to support the conservation of trails and associated infrastructure as be the last the forest resources and the protection well as prepare a trail development for the Royal Bengal Tiger. concept that supported greater multiple hope to ensure A comprehensive ecotourism strategy use of all the trails and an overall the survival of was prepared including design of scheme that “tied the trails together” this secure accommodation facilities and into an integrated network of more than enclosures, observation towers, visitor 350 KM. magnificent reception and interpretation center and animal” boat tours in the delta. Market assessment and a marketing Strategy -- Asian identified tour operators (national and Development international) who were interested in Bank the programs. A database was prepared.

A coordination committee comprised of protected area staff, the Department of Tourism and the private sector was created to manage tourism activities

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Park and Protected Area Management Plans, Site Development Plans, Visual Impact Analysis and Resource Assessment

Forillion National Park Lepreau River Provincial Poley Mountain Master Plan for Park Access Corridor Provincial Park Ski Area Parks Canada-Québec Parkway and Trail System, and Mountain Resort Region, Canada, New Brunswick Department of Master Plan, Chief landscape architect Tourism, New Brunswick Department and park planner Project manager of Parks and Tourism, 1975. James was responsible for the Project Director overall site planning and Baie du Nord National construction of all park Heritage River Terra Nova National Park infrastructure Assessment and Tourism Golf Course Site Potential, for Parks Canada Location and Feasibility UNESCO Clayoquat Sound Atlantic Region, 1980 Study for Parks Canada Biosphere Reserve Trail Project Director Atlantic Region, System Master Plan Team Leader (planning, design standards) for the Western Canada Kougibouquac National Park Visual Analysis and Impacts, Glacier National Park Wilderness Committee Visual Impact Chief Landscape architect for Parks Canada-Atlantic Region, Project Director Assessment of the Twining of the CP Rail Amqui Provincial Park Kejimikujik National Park line through Rodgers Master Plan and Bicycle Path System and Pass, for Campground Design, Recreation Corridors, for Parks Canada-Western Ministry of Lands and Parks Canada, Atlantic Region, Region, 1981 Forests, Quebec, Project Director Team Leader Chief Landscape architect

Chobe National Park Botswana Wildlife Reserve

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Protected Area Capacity Building Workshops James has designed and facilitated workshops for more than 5000 participants in 12 countries. Many have been for national parks, reserves and protected area staff in such diverse locations as Egypt, Romania, Morocco, Madagascar, Canada and South Africa. Training programs have included: Preparation of Park Management Plans, Visitor Center Design and Management, Interpretation Planning, Trail Design and Construction, Ecotourism Product Development and Visitor Services, and Communication Strategies.

THE PARK MANAGEMENT AND services including the design of a The 2 week long workshops were ECOTOURISM PLANNING for visitor center based on the first ecotourism training Secretary of State for Rural sustainable architectural practices programs ever given in South Development, Morocco and professional interpretation Africa. As Team Leader for the and reception services. preparation of the Ifrane National TRAIL PLANNING, DESIGN and Park Ecotourism Strategy, James INTERPRETATION PROGRAM CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP worked with many stakeholders PLANNING, for Interpretation and MANUAL for USAID/ including park staff, local Berber Canada and the Canadian Parks Romania and Chemonics tribes and associate consultants. Agency in Riding Mountain International A 1 week workshop was designed National Park The workshop included both an for all those associated with the The workshop was designed to introduction to the design process management planning process. introduce park staff to the process as well as the planning of an VISITOR CENTER DESIGN and of designing interpretation interpretive trail in Calimani MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP, for programs based on identification National Park. UNDP and the Ministry of Rural of diverse audiences and Development, 2005 messages. ECOTOURISM PLANNING and A 4 day workshop was delivered MARKETING NATIONAL at 2 locations in Morocco, Ifrane ECOTOURISM PRODUCT WORKSHOP SERIES for USAID and Tan Tan. The purpose was to DEVELOPMENT in NATIONAL Madagascar and the Association introduce national park, forestry PARKS and RESERVES for for the Management of Protected and tourism staff to the concepts SATOUR and SANParks Areas. of visitor management and ECOTour ‘94,

Park Management Planning Workshop Morocco Product Planning Workshop

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Cultural Heritage Sites and Visitor Centers Many cultural heritage sites are located within national parks and protected areas. James has been responsible for the Resource assessment, Feasibility Analysis, Site planning and design, market studies, business plans and management structures for numerous heritage properties GULF OF GEORGIA CANNERY PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE VISITOR CENTER FEASIBILITY MANAGEMENT PLAN, for the STUDY, for the Canadian Parks Canadian Parks Agency, National Agency, Western Region Historic Sites, Western Region Project Director (1994-1995) James led a team that Project Manager identified the best strategic location for The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is the the visitor center as Canadian Parks Agency premiere well as identified: historic site on the west coast of themes and Canada. James was hired to manage messages, visitor several activities including the projection levels and preparation of a: operating costs and 1. Comprehensive market analysis revenues. Gulf of Georgia Cannery National including consumer surveys in WADI GEMEL Vancouver and Seattle, VISITOR 2.. Complete facility restoration program CENTER PROGRAM including architectural drawings DEVELOPMENT AND 3. Socio-economic analysis: direct and SITE LOCATION, for USAID/Egypt and indirect job creation, training for locals. Chemonics International 4. Business plan identifying all revenues Project Manager ‘Based on the centers (space rental, restaurant, fish During the preparation of the park market, etc.) and operating costs. management plan, James identified success of the several sites for the location of a visitor La Mauricie LA MAURICIE NATIONAL PARK center focusing on interpretation, Center, it is VISITOR CENTRE PROGRAM AND orientation and reception. A complete certain that FACILITY DESIGN for Parks Canada, set of documents including selected site similar Quebec Region characteristic, proposed messages and facilities will Project Manager target audiences, sustainable building increasingly criteria and site design was prepared for This national park is strategically located the architects. The facility opened in assume a between Montreal and Quebec. Despite 2008. leading role in its decidedly wilderness character it has FORILLION NATIONAL PARK our visitor a high visitation level. Therefore a major HERITAGE VILLAGE MASTER PLAN, management visitor reception centre was planned, for Parks Canada, Quebec Region program” particularly for the day trippers. The Chief landscape architect Center was unique because there was The park master plan identified 22 -- Parks Canada an equal balance between the interior buildings of heritage value. James was Director ad exterior interpretive features, exhibits responsible for both the development and educational displays. plan, construction and placement of all buildings on the village site.

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Special Assignments and Presentations As a senior parks and protected area planner James is frequently asked to undertake special assignments to ministers, parliamentarians, tribal chefs and presidents. Assignments are typically meant to respond to particular situations requiring specific knowledge of the subject (e.g. sustainable development procedures, tribal rights, etc.)

PARKS CANADA AUDIT; The Government of Canada made subsequently hired by the Grand (SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES), a commitment in 1985 to dedicate Chief (Bill Diamond) to prepare for the Auditor General of Canada, 20% of the land to National Park position papers on the protection SPECIAL ADVISOR (1997) and Protected Area status by 2000. and sustainable use of this vast Because of James extensive James was commissioned by the territory in Northern Canada. experience in many of the national Canadian Parliamentary Speeches were prepared for the parks of Canada, he was asked by Committee, responsible for this Canadian and Quebec Parliaments the Auditor General, during his 5 initiative, to identify the current and year review of the Agency to future economic and social benefits S U S T A I N A B L E assess the current use of of a comprehensive protected area DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA, for Sustainable Practices and the network. the President of the Republic of results of commitments that were Palau and Congress (Micronesia) made in 1992. James delivered a CREE NATION SUSTAINABLE SPECIAL ADVISOR (1995) failing grade and consequently a 5 FORESTRY AND PROTECTED The President was familiar with the year plan was prepared to ensure AREA BENEFITS, for the Grand sustainable development criteria the implementation of ‘green Chief of the Cree Nation, Canada that James had developed for the management practices’ throughout SPECIAL ADVISOR AND Bahamas. He was increasingly the parks. SPEECHWRITER (1997-2001) concerned with the damage that ECONOMIC IMPACT Of THE The Cree Nation is one of the was being done to Palau’s fragile CANADIAN NATIONAL PARK largest aboriginal territories in the marine environment. His office SYSTEM, for the Canadian world with exceptional hydro, subsequently contacted James to Parliament and Hon. Jean Charest, forestry and cultural resources. work with the National Congress Minister of the Environment James was well known to to the and travel industry to develop SPECIAL ADVISOR (1994-1996) Cree leadership and was sustainable tourism criteria.

Heritage Landscape Protection Brasov County Protecting Cree heritage

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James MacGregor Park and Protected Area Planner, Landscaper Architect, Ecotourism Planner, Trainer and Workshop facilitator, Marketing specialist, Ecolodge planner/developer

James has more than 36 years development for Conservation experience as a national park International), and lemur management specialist, landscape populations in architect and planner and has completed Madagascar. over 100 park related assignments for governments, donors (USAID, OAS, INSTITUTIONAL IADB, Commonwealth Secretariat, UNDP, STRUCTURING World Bank, etc.). Before moving to James is increasingly Morocco in 2002, he was considered one involved with the of Canada's most respected national and restructuring of provincial park planners and had worked government in all regions of this vast country. He is agencies to meet frequently a special advisor to ministers, James MacGregor the dual challenges Brasov, Romania presidents, governors and tribal chiefs. of resource James is also an experienced sustainable protection within the tourism planner and is known for context of public demand for resource integrating modern protected area and access. The recent structuring of resource management planning with the Romania’s National Agency for Protected economic development benefits and Areas and Biodiversity Conservation opportunities associated with these reflects that balance with an emphasis on resources. He is particularly familiar with capacity building, business planning, good ‘Biodiversity coastal, marine, island and mountain governance, environmental education and protection is environments and their tourism and public awareness through a target increasingly a biodiversity conservation potential. communication strategy.. successful partnership CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT, CAPACITY BUILDING ECOTOURISM and ECONOMIC between Human resource development is a contemporary DEVELOPMENT significant component of his protected He combines his knowledge of mapping, area management plans. Consequently conservation zonation and conservation practices with James has also designed and facilitated management, sustainable tourism development to resource management, planning, stakeholder prepare plans and policies that reflect the marketing and facility design workshops participation highest resource protection standards as for several hundred protected area and economic well as the economic aspirations of local managers and staff in Africa, Asia and the development” populations, This approach has been America's. His sustainable development used successfully for the protection of and ecotourism workshop series for the several endangered species including the Commonwealth Caribbean Nations won Royal Bengal Tiger (Sunderbans Tiger the prestigious Green Globe Achievement Reserve Ecotourism Strategy), the Award in 1997. Philippine Eagle, (tour product

ecoplannet srl, Romania and Morocco | www.ecoplannet.com | Sustainable Park Planning, Development and Capacity Building “James combines ecoplan:net has provided sustainable a strong environmental development services in 18 countries in ethic with a Africa, Asia, North, Central and South professional America. planning process to deliver results The company was founded by James that protect the MacGregor in 1992, in Canada and resources while currently operates out of offices in Morocco strengthening the (Rabat) and Romania (Brasov). local economy” -- Earlston McPhee, Director Sustainable Tourism Unit Government of the Bahamas

[email protected] FOR INFORMATION, REFERENCES AND TESTIMONIALS

PLEASE CONTACT JAMES MACGREGOR WWW.ECOPLANNET.COM

Ecoplan:net is an international consulting firm that has completed more than 400 tourism, economic development and park and protected area management assignments worldwide including Morocco, Egypt, Romania, Brazil, Philippines, Palau, Bangladesh, Turkey, Pakistan, Botswana, Bahamas, Comoros, Turkey, South Africa, Zambia, India, Madagascar, Costa Rica, Canada and the USA.

Several ecoplan:net assignments have won prestigious international awards including the Green Globe Achievement Award and the European Travel Writers Award for the Bahamas Sustainable Tourism Development Policies and most recently, the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Award from the World Travel and Tourism Council

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