Conservation in Action
Our Marine Protected Area (MPA) field learning sites provide an ideal setting for implementing cutting-edge conservation management on-the-ground. We support our partner MPA sites to become exemplary models of sustainable management, where practitioners from across the region can observe, learn, gain field experience, and trial the lessons they have learned to effectively manage and conserve marine and coastal ecosystems.
We are working in two MPAs in Indonesia (Nusa Penida MPA and the Banda Islands MPA Network) and helping establish three more (Buano Islands MPA, Sula Islands MPA, and Lease Islands MPA) as part of the USAID Sustainable Ecosystems Advanced Project. We are also supporting the establishment of two MPAs in in Timor-Leste – the Atauro Island Integrated MPA and Liquica MPA.
We are working with government partners, community groups and local organizations at these sites to design, establish and develop successful MPAs that showcase effective management, and become on-the-ground training sites for practitioners and stakeholders from across the world.
The Benefits of Learning Sites
Learning sites provide benefits in two key ways:
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To convey the concept of non-extractive tourism in coastal areas, on small islands, and in marine protected areas;
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To build the capacity of a wide range of stakeholders and practitioners through visiting and studying these sites, and learning best-practice approaches to solve challenges facing marine and coastal ecosystems.
Beneficiaries include MPA managers and staff, government officials, community groups, scientists, NGOs, private sector participants, universities, and associated institutions. The sites themselves receive cutting-edge technical support, from conceptualization through to effective long-term management.
Our Current Sites
We select our learning sites based on ecological, economic, social, and geopolitical characteristics. We are building up capacity in each site, and ensuring strong, adaptively managed MPAs, as well as providing technical and research support to MPA managers. Each site has different challenges, and a different focus for learning opportunities.
Learn more about our conservation efforts on the ground in Indonesia in the Nusa Penida MPA, Banda Islands MPA Network, Lease Islands, Buano Islands, and Sula Islands. Find out how we are supporting MPAs in the Coral Triangle Triangle in our work in Atauro Island and Liquica in Timor-Leste.
Our Future Portfolio
By 2019, we are aiming to widen our field learning activities to a total of nine sites, including at least one for each Coral Triangle country. Each site will have a different learning focus. Participants can learn from MPAs with different ecological, economic, social, and geopolitical characteristics. Read More…
In addition to the learning site-specific work described here, CTC provides technical and research support to MPAs across the Coral Triangle.
Do you want to support our field site efforts?
