ELEMENTS OF A PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM MASTER PLAN

 

What are the elements of a comprehensive protected area system master plan?

 

A protected area system master plan is defined as a comprehensive summary of the activities and strategies needed to ensure a fully representative and functional network of well managed and sustainably financed protected areas.  While a comprehensive master plan typically includes three core components – a plan for improving the protected area network, protected area management, and the enabling environment – the following is a complete list of all of the elements:  

 

Background information

 

• Introduction to the master plan, including the broader context within which it was developed
• Linkages to other national and regional plans, including land use and development plans
• Process for developing and approving the master plan
• Mechanisms for reporting status and trends over time

 

Vision and goals

 

• The overall vision of the protected area network, including the desired future condition
• Short and long-term goals and objectives of the protected area network
• A description of the full range of benefits of a comprehensive protected area system

 

Plan for improving the protected area network

 

• A plan for improving the representativeness of the protected area network
• A plan for improving connectivity and ecological processes across the protected area network
• A plan for restoring degraded protected areas and establishing ecological corridors
• A plan for periodically monitoring and recording progress toward protected area network goals

 

Plan for improving protected area management

 

• A plan for abating the most severe threats to biodiversity within the protected area network
• A plan for improving protected area management effectiveness
• A plan for strengthening protected area capacity
• A plan for improving the equitable distribution of protected area benefits to key stakeholders
• A plan for monitoring and reporting on progress toward management effectiveness goals

 

Plan for improving the protected area enabling environment

 

• A plan for improving protected area policies
• A plan for improving sectoral laws and policies
• A plan for improving protected area governance
• A plan for financing existing and future costs of a comprehensive protected area system
• A plan for monitoring and reporting progress on the protected area enabling environment

 

Plan for implementing strategies and actions

 

• A plan that integrates the plan into broader governmental budgeting and planning processes
• A prioritized description of the key strategies, focusing on the most critical actions first
• An action plan with key steps, timelines, responsibilities and indicators of success

 

Assessment results and appendices

 

A comprehensive master plan is built on the results of a series of assessments, which are typically summarized in appendices to the master plan, including: 1) ecological gap assessment; 2) threat assessment; 3) management effectiveness assessment; 4) capacity assessment; 5) equity and benefits assessment; 6) governance assessment; 7) policy environment assessment; and 8) sustainable financing assessment.

References and  resources on protected area system master planning