Protected Areas

Protected Areas // E-learning curricula
Monday // 3.28.2011

E-learning curricula

There is no shortage of guides, case studies, methodologies and other materials to help implement the Programme of Work on Protected Areas. In fact, there is so much material that it can be overwhelming to read everything. The Secretariat has developed concise learning modules for each goal of the Programme of Work. These modules are like short courses which take approximately an hour each, providing an overview of key terms, concepts, resources and approaches.

To access the on-line courses as well as exercises, additional learning materials, and discussion forums, click the 'take the course' button. You will be redirected to the conservation training site hosting the courses where you can create a profile.

Introductory Module

This module provides an introduction to the history, structure and elements of the Programme of work on Protected Areas.

Module 1: Protected area network design

This module covers aspects related to the design of a national protected area network (PoWPA Goal 1.1), including instructions on how to conduct an ecological gap assessment.

Module 2: Protected area integration

This module covers aspects related to integrating protected areas into the wider landscape, seascape and strategies (PoWPA Goal 1.2), including the development of conservation corridors, and mainstreaming protected areas into other sectors.

Module 3: Transboundary protected areas and regional networks

This module covers aspects related to transboundary protected areas and regional networks (PoWPA Goal 1.3), including the establishment, planning, management and assessment of transboundary areas.

Module 4: Management planning

This module covers aspects related to management planning (PoWPA Goal 1.4), including instructions on how to integrate climate change adaptation into management plans.

Module 5: Protected area threats

This module covers aspects related to protected area threats (PoWPA Goal 1.5), including the prevention and mitigation of invasive species, and conducting threat assessments.

Module 6: Protected area governance, equity and benefit sharing

This module covers aspects related to governance, equity and benefit sharing (PoWPA Goal 2.1), including best practices for promoting innovative forms of governance.

Module 7: Protected area participation

This module covers aspects related to protected area participation (PoWPA Goal 2.2), including participation of indigenous and local communities.

Module 8: Protected area policy environment

This module covers aspects related to the protected area policy environment (PoWPA Goal 3.1), including protected area policies, incentives, and legal frameworks.

Module 9: Protected area capacity

This module covers aspects related to protected area capacity (PoWPA Goal 3.2), including how to assess capacity needs and develop a capacity-strengthening program.

Module 10: Appropriate technology

This module covers aspects related to appropriate technology (PoWPA Goal 3.3), including the use of GIS and remote sensing.

Module 11: Sustainable finance

This module covers aspects related to sustainable finance (PoWPA Goal 3.4), including business planning, assessing finance needs, and developing a sustainable finance plan.

Module 12: Education and awareness

This module covers aspects related to education and awareness (PoWPA Goal 3.5), including how to design an effective awareness campaign.

Module 13: Minimum standard

This module covers aspects related to minimum standards for protected areas (PoWPA Goal 4.1).

Module 14: Management effectiveness assessments

This module covers aspects related to management effectiveness (PoWPA Goal 4.2), including how to conduct site and system-level assessment of management effectiveness.

Module 15: Monitoring

This module covers aspects related to monitoring (PoWPA Goal 4.3), including how to monitor biodiversity status and strategy effectiveness.

Module 16: Research

This module covers aspects related to research (PoWPA Goal 4.4), including how to design an effective research program.

Module 19: Implementation

This module covers aspects related to PoWPA implementation, including forming a multi-stakeholder advisory committee, and developing a strategic master plan.

Module 17: Climate Change

This module provides recommendations and guidelines for incorporating climate change aspects into protected area design and management, and highlights the role that protected areas can play in climate mitigation and adaptation.

Module 18: Marine Protected Areas

This module shows how the CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas applies in a marine environment, and enables protected area planners to increase marine protection, improve the marine protected area network, and reduce threats to the marine environment.