Conservation
© UNESCO / Jacob Bock
(North-east Tobago UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Stock Footage Database)
What is Conservation?
The active management of our natural resources and environment to ensure their quality is maintained and that they are wisely used.
High Level Goal
Conservation activities in the North-east Tobago UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve are implemented and socially accepted by a broad section of stakeholders, regenerating biodiversity, ecosystem services, and health while supporting livelihoods in our communities.
Current Situation
Currently, only the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Little Tobago (Wildlife Sanctuary), and St Giles (Prohibited Area) are legally protected areas. The ecosystems in the Biosphere Reserve provide significant services to all of Tobago e.g., in the form of water, clean air, food, recreation, and protection from natural disasters. Major threats to ecosystems and biodiversity are over-harvesting and poaching, infrastructural development, pollution, climate change, and neglect.
Priority Needs
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All stakeholders are aware of the economic, social, and cultural benefits of improved ecosystem services and the consequences of continued degradation;
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the level of protection for threatened species, ecosystems, and habitats is sufficient to maintain or, ideally increase biodiversity and ecosystem health;
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existing conservation threats are reduced and anticipated threats avoided; and
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knowledge about the conservation value of our Biosphere Reserve is created, exchanged, and intelligibly communicated.
Strategies
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Implementation of an ongoing conservation communication and education campaign;
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strengthening of legislation in the medium-term and improvement of law enforcement in the short-term;
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implementing replicable activities for threat reduction, mitigation, and avoidance as well as application of the precautionary principle; and
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establishing an ongoing research and ecosystem health monitoring programme in collaboration with residents, and stakeholders that focus on applicable results that improve conservation and contribute to livelihoods.
Further Information: