AHEAD Update – September/October/November 2010Dear AHEAD Colleagues: *Welcome to the third AHEAD Update of 2010, with a distribution list now approaching 1700 subscribers. Please continue to share the Update with your friends and neighbors! Note that URL hotlinks for many of the organizations mentioned below can be found at http://www.wcs-ahead.org/links.html. News on potential funding opportunities appears towards the end of this Update. NEW RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS *AHEAD Great Limpopo TFCA 10th Working Group
Meeting Minutes are now available in PDF at http://www.wcs-ahead.org/workinggrps_limpopo.html,
and have been circulated to the Working Group. A few related points: *The Limpopo Transboundary Programme introduces
SHAWEB: a new web-based application for information sharing and display
in a spatially organized way – The programme deals with the complex task of linking numerous institutions and stakeholders spread across the three Great Limpopo countries and facilitates data sharing. The constitution of a common repository where information can be shared among the institutions is key in terms of ensuring that relevant management data is easily accessible and available to all interested stakeholders. *New paper on foot and mouth disease (FMD) and southern African market access (along with responses and reactions) – I. Scoones, A. Bishi, N. Mapitse, R. Moerane, M.-L. Penrith, R. Sibanda, G. Thomson and W. Wolmer (2010). Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Market Access: Challenges for the Beef Industry in Southern Africa, Pastoralism 1 (2): 135-164. Focusing on the case of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in southern Africa – and specifically Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe – this paper explores the economic, social and political trade-offs arising from different scenarios for gaining market access and managing and controlling FMD in support of beef production in southern Africa. A central question is: does the current approach, premised on the ability to separate a ‘disease free’ commercial sector from areas at high risk of FMD outbreaks because of the presence or proximity of wildlife (African buffalo particularly) through strictly enforced protection (formerly known as ‘buffer’) zones and movement control, make sense given new contexts and challenges? Are there other alternatives that benefit a wider group of producers, ensure food-safe trade, and are easier to implement, yet maintain access to important export markets and so foreign exchange revenues? Following an examination of the new contexts of disease dynamics and livestock trade in southern Africa, the paper explores a series of scenarios for market access including: trade with the European Union; direct exports to large retailers; export to emerging markets, particularly Asia; regional trade in southern Africa and domestic urban and rural markets. Given this assessment, the paper then asks: what makes most sense for the control and management of FMD in southern Africa? Freely downloadable PDFs are available as follows. If you download the paper, please download the accompanying 'Responses and Reactions' as well! *“Foot-and-mouth Disease and Market Access: Challenges for the Beef Industry in Southern Africa” *New review available: "A Strategic Review of Fencing Policies and Impacts in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area: Lessons Learned and Applicability to the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area" (2010) – by K. Ferguson and J. Hanks Fences represent a pervasive and increasingly important keystone structure that divides ‘natural’ and ‘human-derived’ landscapes in southern Africa and more specifically separates wildlife from livestock production areas. Permeable fences allow a flow rate of large mammals that leads to problems associated with the primary intended functions of the fence: blocking wildlife-livestock disease transmission (an indirect form of human-wildlife conflict), and reducing direct human-wildlife conflict (e.g., human-elephant conflict). The history of fencing policy in southern Africa is inconsistent with more recently developed long-term transfrontier conservation aims. Policy options for guiding fencing decisions must be explored and set within the context of disease containment options and, more generally, human-wildlife conflict mitigation goals. We have aimed to conduct a strategic review as a ‘stepping-stone’ to the development of a more comprehensive knowledge base related to the needs for fence management and maintenance, fence monitoring, and implementation of allied policies (such as corridor development) in transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs). Ultimately, this should lead to the drafting of Transfrontier Fence Management Plans for individual TFCAs. Our goal is to deliver a comprehensive and strategic overview of the current role of fencing and the impacts these structures have on agricultural and conservation objectives. This Strategic Review attempts to provide information on planning, implementation and evaluation of the impacts of fencing policies (and alternatives). The conservation and developmental success of the Great Limpopo TFCA and Transfrontier Park (GLTFCA / GLTP) and the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) TFCA will depend upon a solid understanding of the complex issues surrounding approaches to the containment (and release) of wildlife and livestock. We hope this review will facilitate strategic discussion and increase regional knowledge transfer among transfrontier stakeholders with regard to the long-term resolution of fencing issues. The harmonization of fencing policy and the exploration of viable, science-based alternatives among a TFCA’s partner countries will be a complex and time-consuming process that will require the involvement of a variety of stakeholders representing divergent interests. These stakeholders require a cross-sectoral review of the evidence pertaining to fencing successes and failures that can inform future actions and research. Recognizing and fully respecting the sovereignty of each country, this analysis aims to explore means of improving collaboration, between sectors and among the partner countries, on fences and the social, political, economic and biological forces that shape them. The 329 pp. PDF is freely downloadable at the bottom of the page at http://www.wcs-ahead.org/gltfca_grants/grants.html. The document is large (~9MB), and may be difficult to download for those with less than ideal internet access. For assistance on other ways to obtain the document, please contact Ken Ferguson selousgame@hotmail.com. *Conservation and Human Rights: the Need for International Standards (2010), IIED – D. Roe, G. Oviedo, L. Pabon, M. Painter, K. Redford, L. Siegele, J. Springer, D. Thomas and K. Walker Painelilla Conservation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. In recent years, awareness has grown of the relationship of international conservation practice to indigenous peoples and local communities, and especially the links between conservation and human rights. The impacts protected areas can have on rural communities – such as evictions and lost access to natural resources – are now under particular scrutiny. Concern is meanwhile rising over the human rights implications of some climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. But awareness is also growing of the positive contributions of nature conservation to the rights of people to secure their livelihoods, enjoy healthy and productive environments, and live with dignity. International NGOs can play a central role in supporting and promoting conservation actions that respect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, and help sustain their livelihoods. Many conservation organisations have long worked towards this. It is vital that they hold to consistent principles and implement measures that ensure their application, so their action on conservation remains accountable, transparent and sustainable. Please see freely downloadable 4 pp. PDF at http://www.iied.org/pubs/display.php?o=17066IIED. *Transboundary Conservation Specialist Group Chair seeks material for their next eNews bulletin – Transboundary eNews contains: information on your activities related to transboundary conservation and cooperation; announcements of future events and review of past workshops/conferences; introduction of new publications/websites of interest/funding opportunities. The articles on the above topics should: be up to 250 words in length; be accompanied by a corresponding photograph indicating the author, and/or other graphic addition; contain relevant contact details/link to websites if applicable. For additional information or for submissions, please contact Maja Vasilijevic, M.A., Chair, IUCN Transboundary Conservation Specialist Group, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, maja.vasilijevic1@gmail.com and www.tbpa.net. *New e-newsletter from the AHEAD-Great Limpopo TFCA Working Group coming soon, courtesy of SANParks and regional stakeholders – Keep an eye out for it if you are a member of the AHEAD-GLTFCA Working Group! *British Ecological Society and the NHBS Environment Bookstore offering free ecology and conservation books to readers and professionals in developing nations – Please see further information at http://www.nhbs.com/Conservation/gratis-books.php#woofooRequest and feel free to share with your colleagues. The aim of this scheme is to provide ecology and conservation books to those from outside Western Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand who would otherwise be unable to obtain them, so as to share ecological knowledge as widely as possible. AHEAD IN THE MEDIA http://blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/making-room-for-wildlife-to-improve-livelihoods/ http://news.mongabay.com/2010/0907-neme_osofsky_wildlife_wcs.html UPCOMING MEETINGS / CALLS FOR PAPERS *SAWMA Symposium September 19-22, 2010 – The Southern African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA) is inviting you to its 40th anniversary symposium, ‘Biodiversity Conservation in a Changing World’, at Buffelspoort, in the North West Province of South Africa. The symposium will be followed by a one day seminar on ‘Challenges in the management of medium-size conservation areas’ on September 23, 2010. Papers and posters will be presented under the following themes: The challenges of climate change * Ecological monitoring and its application into the future * Sustaining systems integrity into the future * The importance of sustained research in gaining understanding of systems processes * Socio-political dynamics. SAWMA members attend the event at a discounted rate. Local individual membership fees are R330/year and includes a free copy and electronic access to South African Journal of Wildlife Research, published by SAWMA. For more information, contact Elma Marais elma@mweb.co.za or see http://www.sawma.co.za/sym2010.html *1st International One Health Congress, February
14-16, 2011- Call for Abstracts in progress – The Organising
Committee invites you to submit an abstract now! For more information on submission deadlines, registration, etc. please see http://www.onehealth2011.com/ or email onehealth2011@arinex.com.au. *World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology, African Foundation (WAAVP AF) to provide a limited number of partial scholarships to assist veterinary parasitologists from Africa to attend the 23rd WAAVP Conference to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 21-25, 2011 – Applications for scholarships are due by January 15, 2011 and should include: a copy of the abstract(s) for paper(s) or poster(s) which are being submitted to the 23rd WAAVP Conference Convenor; a letter of recommendation from a current supervisor, an indication of how other costs (beyond a WAAVP AF grant) will be met (i.e.- possibility of obtaining supplemental funds elsewhere); other envisaged contributions to the conference (i.e.- workshop participant, chairperson of session, etc.); and a brief indication of how the applicant sees attendance contributing to his/her development in veterinary parasitology. For more details, please see http://www.waavp.org/. Applications go to: Dr. Rosina (Tammi) Krecek- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine 630 US Highway 1, Suite 600 North Brunswick, New Jersey 08902-3311 USA. ph: 1-869-465-4161 ext. 119 fax: 1-869-465-6156 tkrecek@rossvet.edu.kn FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES *The WCS Research Fellowship Program – The
WCS Research Fellowship Program (WCS RFP) is a small
grants program administered by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Institute which, from 1993 to 2007, funded over 300 proposals totaling
more than $3 million. The RFP grants help build research capacity for
the next generation of conservation practitioners worldwide. The
Program supports individual field research projects that have a clear
application to conservation. The Program seeks to support the
field work of graduate-level students working closely with WCS staff
in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and in special cases, North America.
Collectively, the young professionals receiving RFP grants will help
to apply field-tested conservation science to the challenges facing the
natural world. Individuals interested in submitting an RFP application
should visit http://programs.wcs.org/grants for
eligibility information. The application deadline is January 5,
2011. The maximum award is $20,000. For more information, please email fellowship@wcs.org. *The application process for Conservation Leadership Program (CLP) 2011 Conservation Awards is now open – The CLP has been helping young conservationists to achieve their goals and move into positions of influence within the conservation sector for more than 25 years. Successful applicants will: 1.) Develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of team members; 2.) Implement high-priority conservation projects combining research and action; and 3.) Contribute to the long-term success of local conservation efforts. This year’s awards include: • Future Conservationist Awards (up to US $12,500
each) Applications are due November 15th. For more information on eligibility, guidelines, etc., please see http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/ApplyNow.asp, or email clp@birdlife.org. *The 2010-2011 AWF Charlotte Fellowship application process is now open – In 1996, the African Wildlife Foundation introduced the Charlotte Conservation Fellows program to provide support for African nationals pursuing Masters degrees or doctoral research. The program was launched in tribute to the late Charlotte Kidder Ramsay, a long-time conservationist. Ms. Ramsey was a great supporter of the need to increase the skills and abilities of African professionals and institutions in order to effectively manage the wildlife resources found on the continent. Charlotte Fellowships enable recipients to improve their qualifications, update their skills, acquire the latest information on natural resource management and adapt new technologies to their work. The Program is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and impact of African nationals in the field of conservation through the increased knowledge, skills, and credentials obtained through an advanced degree. Each year, AWF supports three to six Charlotte Fellows. While expenses and materials vary according to recipient, scholarships are awarded for amounts up to $25,000. Since its inception, the program has helped 50 students from East, West, central, and southern Africa pursue graduate degrees in fields ranging from biology and conservation economics to enterprise development and community conservation. See http://www.awf.org/section/people/education/charlotte/2010application/, or email charlottefellowship@awfke.org.
"What is AHEAD?" Animal & Human Health for the Environment And Development was launched at the 2003 IUCN World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa. By assembling a ‘dream team’ of veterinarians, ecologists, biologists, social and economic scientists, agriculturists, wildlife managers, public health specialists and others from across East and southern Africa, the Wildlife Conservation Society, IUCN, and a range of partners tapped into some of the most innovative conservation and development thinking on the African continent- and AHEAD was born. Since then, a range of programs addressing conservation, health, and concomitant development challenges have been launched with the support of a growing list of implementing partners and donors who see the intrinsic value of what WCS has called the “One World, One Health” approach. AHEAD is a convening, facilitative mechanism, working to create enabling environments that allow different and often competing sectors to literally come to the same table and find collaborative ways forward to address challenges at the interface of wildlife health, livestock health, and human health and livelihoods. We convene stakeholders, help delineate conceptual frameworks to underpin planning, management and research, and provide technical support and resources for projects stakeholders identify as priorities. AHEAD recognizes the need to look at health and disease not in isolation but within a given region's environmental and socioeconomic context. All the best, Steve |