Protected areas

Cornerstones of biodiversity conservation
Country Profile: Micronesia (Federated States of)
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Focal point contact information

Ms. Alissa Takesy
Assistant Secretary, Protected Areas Network Coordinator
Division of Resource Management and Development
Department of Resources and Development
Palikir, Pohnpei, Micronesia (Federated States of)
E-Mail: fsmrd [ at ] fsmrd.fm
Country Statistics
702 km² 0.07% 0.03%
total country area
 terestrial area protected
(70.74 km²)		 territorial waters protected
(32.20 km²)
Source: WDPA

Information on the reporting framework

Person completing the survey: Alissa Takesy
Survey completed on 10/9/2009
Multi-stakeholder advisory committee Yes No
Strategic action plan for implementing PoWPA Yes No
Lead agency responsible for implementing the action plan: Sub-national (State) Focal Agencies

Progress in Implementation

Element 1

Strengthening protected areas systems and sites

1.1 Progress in assessing ecological gaps and representativeness

1.2 Progress in assessing integration and connectivity

View assessment results

Progress: 1 - Just started, limited progress

View actions to improve integration
Created new protected areas in key connectivity areas

Expanding on existing PAs and/or creating new conservation areas to incorporate an ecosytem-based approach (e.g."reef-to-ridge")

Improved natural ressource management to improve connectivity

Pacific Islands Managed and Marine Protected Areas Community; Micronesia Challenge Measures Working Groups

Designated connectivity corridors and/or buffers

Ongoing activities through current sub-national management implmenting organizations and local community partners

Changed awareness and behavior of key stakeholders in key connectivity

Part of on-going Sub-national environmental education programs executed by implementing organizations

Restored degraded areas in key connectivity areas

On-going project activities in sub-national programs (e.g forest cooperative health program)

Integrated protected areas into poverty reduction strategies

Alternate income generating activities

Other actions to improve connectivity and integration

Existing peer learning networks to build capacity in the above mentioned actions (e.g. PIMPAC, LMMA, NOAA Coral Reef Resilience/Ecosystem Monitoring Programs, etc.)

1.3 Progress in assessing transboundary opportunities

View assessment results

Progress: 2 - Activity fully underway

View actions to improve transboundary protected areas
Created transboundary protected area/s

Micronesia Challenge Initiative and collaboration

Contributed to the creation of regional-scale conservation corridors

In development through the Micronesia Challenge collaboration

Created enabling policies for the creation of transboundary protected

Micronesia Challenge Declaration

Established a multi-country coordination mechanism

Micronesia Challenge Measures Working Group and Steering Committee

Created market incentives for promoting connectivity and PA

Incorporated in on-going monitoring programs and effective management principles

1.4 Progress in developing management plans

View assessment results

Percentage of protected areas with a management plan: 46-50%

View actions to improve management planning
Developed guidelines and tools for developing management plans

Through our network collaboration (e.g. PIMPAC and Micronesia LMMA Networks)

Provided training and/or technical support in management planning

Same as above

Developed management plans for protected areas

Same as above

Changed legislation and/or policy to allow for improved management planning

On-going National Environmental Legislation Review and subsequent to sub-national rapid ecological assessment recommendations

Conducted protected area resource

Same as above

Other actions to improve management planning

Micronesia Challenge Measures Working Groups and PIMPAC Strategic Action Plan

1.5 Progress in assessing protected area threats

View assessment results

Progress: 1 - Just started, limited progress

View actions to mitigate and prevent threats
Changed the status and/or governance type of a protected area

In progress through the sub-national invasive species taskforce and Forest Stewardship Program

Improved staffing numbers and/or skills to prevent and mitigate

Inter-agency collaborative through the invasive species taskforce

Included measures to address threats in a management plan

On-going with management plan development with invasive species taskforce members input

Improved management practices to prevent or mitigate threats

Ongoing through the invasive species response plans (e.g. Brown Tree Response Team)

Increased threat mitigation funding

Undergoing review process

Developed a climate resilience and adaptation plan

Ongoing through interagency collaboration under the Second National Communication to UNFCCC (e.g. V&A component)

Improved monitoring and detection of threats

Ongoing through current monitoring program and response teams efforts

Evaluated the efficacy of threat-related actions

In progress through national biosecurity SWOT framework

Improved public awareness and behavior regarding threats

Ongoing (e.g. 10 Most Wanted Invasive Plants State Posters)

Changed laws and policies related to threats

Undergoing review process

Restored degrated areas

Current forest restoration program

Developed and/or implemented strategies to mitigate and prevent threats

State Invasive Species Taskforce Strategic Action Plans

Other actions to mitigate and prevent threats

Regional networks (e.g. PILN, RISC, etc.)

Element 2

Governance, equity, participation and benefits sharing

2.1 Equity, Benefits and Governance

View assessment results

Progress: 1 - Just started, limited progress

View actions to improve equitable sharing
Developed compensation mechanisms

In progress

Developed and/or applied policies for access and benefit sharing

In progress

Developed equitable benefits-sharing mechanisms

In progress

Diverted PA benefits towards poverty alleviation

In progress

Other actions to strengthen equitable benefits sharing

In progress

View progress made in assessing protected area governance

Progress made in assessing protected area governance: 2 - Activity fully underway

Percentage of protected areas assigned an IUCN category: 46-50%

View actions to improve and diversify governance types
Created new protected areas with innovative forms of governance

Ongoing co-management scheme

Changed laws or policies to enable new governance types

Ongoing co-management scheme

Legally recognized a broad set of governance types

State constitutions recognize pre-existing traditional governance frameworks; Ongoing co-management scheme

Other actions to diversify governance types

e.g. LMMA

2.2 Indigenous and Local Communities

View assessment results

Progress: 3 - Significant progress, nearly complete

View actions to improve indigenous and local community particiapation
Improved laws and/or policies to promote participation

A requirement under the public hearing process

Improved mechanisms for participation of indigenous and local communities

Indigenous/local communities are in the driver seat as they resource owners and managers

Increased participation of indigenous and local communities in key decisions

Same as above

Other actions to strengthen equitable benefits sharing

NGO partners plays key mediating role between stakeholders

Element 3

Protected area enabling environment

3.1 Policy, Institutional and Socio-Economic Environment

View assessment results

Progress: 2 - Activity fully underway

View actions to improve the protected area policy environment
Harmonized sectoral policies laws to suppport effective management planning and policies

Ongoing through the current national strategic development plan (environment sector matrix) and sub-national implementing organizations' strategic action plans

Integrated PA values and ecological services into the national economy

Ongoing through PA sustainable finance plan development

Improved accountability and/or participation in decision-making

Through the Micronesia Challenge collaboration

Removed perverse incentives that hinder effective management

Through ongoing National Environmental Legislation Review

Strengthened legal systems for establishing and managing protected areas

Same as above

Cooperated with neighboring countries on transboundary areas

Micronesia Challenge Collaboration

Developed equitable dispute resolution mechanisms and procedures

State Resource Management Committee - Advisory Role; NGO partner mediation

Other actions to improve the policy environment

Ongoing similar national projects (e.g. NCSA, SNC, etc.)

View progress made in assessing the contribution of protected areas to national economy

Progress: ? - Not enough information to answer this question

View actions to value the contribution of protected areas
Implemented a communication campaign to value protected areas

RARE Campaigns; State Environmental Education & Awareness Programs

Created finance mechanisms linked to protected area values

In progress

3.2, 3.3 & 3.5 Protected Area Capacity, Technology and Education

View assessment results

Progress: 2 - Activity fully underway

View actions to improve capacity, the use of appropriate technology and/or strengthen education programs
Created a professional development program for protected area practitioners

PIMPAC, LMMA Network, Micronesians in Island Conservation

Trained protected area staff

Refer to PIMPAC 2009 - 2012 Strategic Action Plan

Increased the number of protected area staff

Currently under review

Developed a system for valuing and sharing traditional knowledge

National CHM

Developed protected area curricula with educational institutions

PIMPAC, LMMA Network, Micronesians in Island Conservation & College Department Program, Pacific Islands Community Conservation Course

Produced public outreach materials

Ongoing through sub-national implementing organizations' outreach programs

Conducted public outreach programs

Ongoing through sub-national implementing organizations' outreach programs

Developed effective mechanisms to exchange lessons within and beyond the protected area system

Through inter-agency committees (e.g. State Resource Management Committees)

Developed equitable dispute resolution mechanisms and procedures

Peer Networks and Learning Exchnages

3.4 Sustainable Finance

View assessment results

Progress: 2 - Activity fully underway

Actions to improve the sustainable finance of protected areas
Developed new protected area funding mechanisms

PA Sustainable Finance Plan Final Draft

Developed protected area business plans

Same as above

Developed revenue-sharing mechanism

Same as above

Improved resource allocation

Ongoing process through current performance budget reporting process (fiscal management and reporting)

Provided financial training and support

Ongoing through national and sub-national collaboration through fiscal management and reporting training in development

Improved budgeting process

Current performance budget reporting process

Improved accounting and monitoring

Refer to fiscal management and reporting training in development

Improve financial planning

Same as above

Removed legal barriers to sustainable finance

Ongoing through Environmental Legislation Review

Element 4

Standards, assessment and monitoring

4.1 & 4.2 Management Effectiveness and Best Practices

View assessment results

Progress: 2 - Activity fully underway

Percent of protected areas assessed for management effectiveness: ? - Not enough information to answer this question

In development

View actions to improve management processes within protected areas
Improved management system and processes

In development through effective managmenent guidelines under Micronesia Challenge Measures Group

Improved law enforcement

Under development through enforcement agencies' strategic action plans

Improved stakeholder relations

Ongoing process

Improved management of natural and cultural resources

Ongoing process

4.3 & 4.4 Monitoring and Research

View assessment results

Progress: 2 - Activity fully underway

View actions to improve protected area research and monitoring
Assessed the status and trend of key biodiversity

Developed Blueprint for Biodiversity Conservation; ongoing monitoring programs

Developed or improved a biological monitoring program

Same as above

Improved protected area research on socio-economic issues

Ongoing (e.g. SEM-Pasifika Project, Food Security Vulnerability & Adaptive Assessment of Low-lying Atolls (Socio-economic component)

Promoted dissemination of protected area research

Ongoing though monitoring programs

Revised management plan based on monitoring and/or research results

Same as above

Changed management practices based on the results of monitoring and/or research

Same as above