UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM F O R U M N E W S 23 MAY 2003 • www.ukotcf.org • ISSN 1361 - 6358 A Sense of Direction A conference on conservation in UK Overseas Territories and other small island communities Delegates representing 12 UK Overseas Territories, the 3 UK Crown Dependencies and other small island territories gathered together at the Elbow Beach Hotel in Bermuda from The Royal Gazette published several articles including 22 to 27 March 2003 to attend A Sense of Direction, a Government unveils biodiversity plan, with comment from conference on conservation. Bermuda Government’s Dennis Lister, Annie Glasspool and On the first day delegates were treated to a very useful Jack Ward from the Bermuda Zoological Society. A second introduction to the island and conservation issues on a tour article A long way from Pitcairn mentioned where some of of Bermuda, which included the delegated had travelled from as well as a photo of the Nonsuch Island. Plenary sessions cheque included presentations related to presentation Environmental Charters and from Dennis strategic planning; Lister, Bermuda the Foreign and Common-wealth Minister of office element to this section was Environment, particularly useful, even if some and Valerie aspects were not encouraging. Caton, UK Delegates found presentations on Foreign and managing conservation Common- organisation and climate change wealth Office, to challenging. The conference broke Andrew Dobson into smaller groups to visit actual on behalf of sites to discuss implementing management plans. conference Bermuda Minister of Environment, Dennis Lister, Andrew organisers, and A participatory session dealing with Dobson (Bermuda Audubon Society for the conference invasive species drew much there was much organisers) and Valerie Caton (FCO) discussion from the floor. The full further coverage. summary of the conference is published on pages 2-7 and Avon Carty, President of the Anguilla National Trust, told the proceedings of the conference will be available on the Forum News that, despite the cancellation of her scheduled Forum website shortly: www.ukotcf.org. flight from Anguilla to San Juan, Puerto Rico, the resulting News from Bermuda continuing after the conference has confusion, dismay and decision to try any possible route and been very positive. TV, radio and newspaper items included mode to get to Bermuda, via various ferries and flight Joseph Smith-Abbott, Executive Director of the BVI connections, she eventually got to Bermuda in the originally National Trust, commenting on the importance of Hungry scheduled time frame. Bay mangroves and the need for protection, Colin Clubbe She said “And it has been worth every harried and frenetic from Royal Botanic Gardens Kew speaking on invasive moment of the journey. From the overcast breaking of Sunday plants and the need for local nurseries to promote native and morning perfect for a day island-tour to a rather sunnier endemic species, and Brendan Godley of Marine Turtle Wednesday, the last day of A Sense of Direction, the conference Conservation research group, amongst many others. 1 has been an extremely positive and UKOTs have the same problems as we memorable experience. Informative have and the same problems we are going and well-presented addresses by to face in the future. “The conference gave experienced presenters gave me hope me the privilege to meet and talk to that, in spite of the challenges the members of the Foreign and Anguilla National Trust is facing, we Commonwealth Office about funding and are not alone. Others have, and have other needs. It has been a great learning had, the same experience. experience for me, but now when the The frustration and challenges are names of people are mentioned I will seemingly universal. Some of know who they are.” experienced presenters gave me hope Mike Freeman, ecologist for the Jersey that, in spite of the challenges the Government, sent Forum News some of Anguilla National Trust is facing, we his thoughts on the conference. He are not alone. Others have, and have commented on David Suzuki, guest had, the same experiences. The speaker at the conference. Mike said, frustration and challenges are seemingly “You’ll recall that David Suzuki asked universal. Some of the main issues seem why economics did not include to be limited funding, lack of human consideration of things like clean air and resources and the need for education water. The response was that such things of all stakeholders. were ‘externalities’. David, quite rightly Mike Freeman, Jersey Government “Having said that, unless an immediate pointed out that this seriously diminished Conference the power of economic theory when approaching in a complete way the major conclusions Preamble environmental problems faced by us co- inhabitants of this fragile planet. This conference was designed to be of help “Does anyone consider that the ecological, in some of the priority issues identified by environmental and conservation workers in small territories. The conference was deliberately participatory community tend to ignore any important for all, rather than segregated into factors when defining problems and speakers and audience, because exchange formulating solutions? I am thinking, for of experience was a key. For this reason, example, of such issues as local history, the organisers wanted to capture rapidly culture, the shadow of empire and some of the main conclusions arising from ethnicity. While recognising that it is discussions. Throughout the meeting, a necessary to simplify issues to clarify the small team kept track of these. This was problems, I do wonder whether we led by Dace Ground, Turks & Caicos, simplify too much at times. Depending UKOTCF, with the help of: Denise on discussions, I wonder if ‘externalties’ Dudgeon & Joelene Foster, FCO; Sarita in ecology or conservation might become Francis, Montserrat National Trust and one of the themes of the next conference. Permanent Secretary Montserrat Chief Minister’s Dept; Mike Pienkowski, Jay Warren, Pitcairn I am offering to moderate a discussion on the website. UKOTCF; and Jack Ward, Bermuda injection of funds, and some process for Department of Conservation Services. sustainable funding, is put in place, the “Andrew Syvret, representing La Société Isabel Peters, of St Helena Government Anguilla National Trust is doomed to Jersiaise, and I are going to do our best to was to have been part of this team, but failure. There is much to do and no raise the sponsorship so that in 2006 we was unable to attend the conference due financial or human resources to do it. The may all be able to meet again in Jersey. to illness; she kindly provided some political will, or lack thereof, is a real threat Think of it! You will be able to see, the comments to help some aspects. to the work and existence of Anguilla subject of Andrew’s presentation, an Participants were encouraged to draw the National Trust. The conference allowed ormer Haliotis tuberculata, and it might attention of members of the team for networking and relationship building, even eat lettuce for you! Although the throughout the conference to points they but much needs to be done locally so that economic climate is not encouraging, we thought important to include in the conclusions. the full benefit potential of these built will see what we can do and keep you relations can be derived.” informed.” To contact Mike, email In the final session of the conference, Dace [email protected] Ground presented the first draft of the Jay Warren, Conservation Officer from conclusions. This was then discussed and Pitcairn, had one of the longest journeys The conference was organised by: approved by the conference. The version to the conference, but wished to add his Bermuda Ministry of Environment, given below incorporates additional thanks to the hosts and all the organisers Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda points made in that discussion. who planned the conference and arranged Zoological Society, Bermuda Audubon The contributions from the conference are funding and all his travel details, as well Society and UK Overseas Territories being gathered together, for publication as the Pitcairn Administration in Conservation Forum (UKOTCF) on the Forum’s web site. As a first element, Auckland, so that he could attend the here are the conclusions. conference in Bermuda. Jay said, “This with the support of: the Government of is the first international conference that I Bermuda, the Environment Fund for have attended. I enjoyed the field trips Overseas Territories of the UK Foreign Stakeholders/Public Awareness and the presentations from the other and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the and Education Overseas Territories. Pitcairn is only a Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Capital In everything we are doing all over the small island, 2 miles long and one mile G, Fidelity Investments and XL world, stakeholder participation is an wide. However, I realised that other Foundation important factor. In projects as diverse 2 growing numbers of cruise ship visitors and the environmental concerns this is raising – by placing their office where the liners arrive at Stanley and, at sensitive sites, introducing interpretation and guidance. Our workshops identified many education opportunities in the protected areas all over Bermuda, and each of us has similar opportunities at home. It was interesting to learn that ten years on, the programme carried out by the conservation NGO RARE in Cayman has left lasting benefits in the conversion of the indifferent majority to conservation values. A similar programme is being carried out in New Caledonia, and the sense of pride created by a new NGO in a local parakeet has helped to ensure its survival and inspired the awakening of an environmental consciousness. Susan Larson, Bahamas National Environment Charters Joseph Smith Abbott, Trust with Mike Pienkowski This was the first formal review of the British Virgin Islands UKOTCF chairing the session Charters since they were signed in the Charter.