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ARCOS
- ALBERTINE RIFT CONSERVATION
SOCIETY
About
ARCOS
Mission and Objectives
Partnership, Friendship and Support
ARCOS, April 2000
A - ARCOS STRUCTURE, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
COORDINATION
Principal Coordinator
Dr Sam Kanyamibwa
Regional Coordinator
Dr. Laurent Ntahuga
General Projects Director
Happy James Tumwebaze
Montane Forest Project Officer
Charles Kahindo (temporary until Jan. 2000)
ARCOS MISSION:
The mission of ARCOS is to enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable
use of remaining natural resources of the Albertine Rift ecoregion through
the promotion of collaborative conservation action, awareness raising and
biodiversity information exchange in region.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of ARCOS are the following:
* To enhance the knowledge on biodiversity and natural resources of the Albertine
Rift region;
* To promote awareness raising and conservation action for better sustainable
use of fragile natural resources in the region,
* To work for the conservation and protection of key biodiversity features
of the region for the regional ecosystem integrity and future generations;
* To promote regional collaboration and exchange for better conservation
action.
ACTIVITIES
ARCOS objectives are achieved through the following activities:
- monitoring, compilation and analysis of biodiversity information of the
region
- development of a regional biodiversity information centre
- building of regional skills through training, advice and experience
exchange
- producing educational materials and lobbying documents
- producing and disseminating a regional newsletter
- supporting conservation actions targeting key biodiversity features of
the region
- encouraging and stimulating community-based initiatives which consider
the sustainable use of natural resources
- liaising and collaborating with other institutions, organisations and community
groups involved in the region to ensure better co-ordination on regional
issues, joint efforts and avoid duplication
- building solid regional network for expertise and exchange on biodiversity
conservation in the region
- communicating regional biodiversity issues of the Albertine Rift to external
audience
LEGAL STATUS
The Principal Coordination office is currently hosted by the World Conservation
Monitoring Centre (United Kingdom) and the Regional Coordination Office by
NatureUganda (Uganda). The registration as Charity and Company limited by
guarantee in the UK is ongoing. This step is needed before the registration
in the region (Uganda) as a regional NGO. ARCOS draft constitution is available
on request.
B. ARCOS PROGRAMMES
Special Focus: Albertine Rift Montane Forests
The Albertine Rift Montane Forests (ARMF) cover one of the most great
biogeographic regions of Africa. The Albertine Rift combines a rich biodiversity
and a backbone position in the biological and geological history of Africa.
Albertine Rift montane forests are ecologically important being a watershed
for two main hydraulogic networks of Africa (The Nile and Congo basins).
The forests of the Albertine Rift play an important role in local and regional
climate regulation and anti-erosion control as well as providing various
resources to local communities. While the importance of the Albertine Rift
montane forests and the threats facing them have been mentioned at various
occasions, the exact status of these forests remain unknown.
With funding from the the Tropical Rainforest Programme of the Netherlands
Committee for IUCN, ARCOS initiated a pilot project to assess the status
of Albertine Rift montane forests, to promote a network of existing initiatives
on the conservation and sustainable use of montane forests in the region.
The overall goal of the project was to enhance awareness and conservation
values of montane forests in the Albertine Rift region and to build a regional
mechanism for information source and exchange on their status and sustainable
use.
The project achieved the following:
The project has initiated a regional network of institutions and individuals
interested in Albertine Rift montane forest conservation;
The project has produced key materials as planned (Newsletter, Fact sheets,
Technical Report "Conservation Status of Albertine Rift Montane Forests:
Preliminary Review");
Increased awareness on the conservation and sustainable use of montane forests;
The project has enabled ARCOS to consolidate its reputation in the region
and at the international level.
The project has promoted networking and encouraged information exchange and
communication among individuals and institutions involved in Albertine Rift
montane forests
Liaison with other initiatives has been initiated (Tropical Montane Cloud
Forest Initiative, the African Node of Mountain Forum)
The information collected through this project and ongoing efforts constitute
a solid basis for the future and the development of ARCOS Montane Forest
programme. The project has established a network of individuals and institutions
interested in ARMF conservation and we hope that regular updating of the
information will be undertaken. Furthermore, a bi-annual forum has been set
up by participants at the Regional Priority-Setting Workshop. The next regional
forum on ARMF is being planned in summer 2001.
More investigation is needed. We need to understand more their values, to
promote more awareness, to build more knowledge through research activities,
to monitor their status and conservation initiatives and to ensure effective
management and planning. Through a funding from WWF Forest for Life Campaign
and IUCN Netherlands, ARCOS is refining information collected on ARMF in
order to produce a “Handbook on Albertine Rift montane forests”
to guide decision-making. Promoting community-based programmes and integration
of socio-economic and human needs in the conservation of montane forests
in the region is one area that ARCOS plans to concentrate more in the future.
A general framework for the conservation, management and monitoring of ARMF
is being developed by ARCOS in collaboration with its partners in the region
but the support from the international community is needed.
Promoting a Regional Network
Major achievements have been fulfilled by ARCOS in the promotion of a regional
network, dialogue and collaboration among local conservation initiatives.
This was particularly achieved through a regional priority-setting workshop
on “Promoting community-based conservation and regional information
exchange in support of Albertine Rift montane forests” facilitated by
ARCOS from 13th to 15th July 1999.
The workshop was attended by over 40 participants, involving representatives
of key conservation institutions (NGOs, government representatives, research
institutions, etc.) from each country of the region and regional and
international organisations operating in the region. Hon. Baguma Isoke, Minister
of State for Lands, Water and Environment of Uganda was the Guest of Honor
and opened the workshop. He emphasized the importance of cross-border
co-operation in biodiversity conservation and welcomed regional efforts promoted
by ARCOS.
The Workshop reviewed current regional and international initiatives as well
as national initiatives including specific selected site based conservation
case studies. It also carried out an analysis of the current conservation
status of the Albertine Rift montane forests; identification of problems,
constraints, opportunities and threats; identification of potential responses
and actions; identification and prioritization of proposed follow up actions;
and formulation and adoption of final recommendations.
The workshop developed a number of recommendations, most of them highlighting
the role of ARCOS as a regional mediator as mentioned below:
The workshop strongly recommended that ARCOS be a vehicle for information
acquisition, exchange between countries and between the region and outside
the region, and that an information officer be appointed.
The workshop recommended that a regional information centre be established
by ARCOS to serve for all stakeholders in the region and cover both training
and networking.
The workshop strongly recommended that ARCOS should provide regional
co-ordination for the preparation and submission of national and regional
funding proposals to funding agencies, and that a fund-raising officer should
be appointed by ARCOS.
The workshop recommended that a bi-annual regional forum and annual meetings
of focal group to review progress be organised regularly.
In order to mobilise all resources of the region; ARCOS is conducting a survey
with local organisations and individuals to assess their needs, expertise
and ongoing initiatives. This is being done through a funding from the Swedish
Society for Nature Conservation. Information collected will be entered and
maintained in a database (Regional Conservation Network Database).
ARCOS is planning to consider increasingly specific socio-economic and political
conditions, which affect directly or indirectly conservation efforts in the
region. ARCOS will promote exchange of information and regional collaboration
in transboundary protected areas system, impact of conflicts on
biodiversity.
Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring
The programme of Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring includes several
facets, but baseline information from assessment activities and data collected
from monitoring programmes are fundamental to understand the course of
biodiversity conservation. ARCOS has concentrated the Biodiversity Assessment
and Monitoring Programme on the Albertine Rift Montane Forests, through the
funding from IUCN Netherlands, completed by the July workshop which brought
together individuals and institutions working on biodiversity conservation
in the region to jointly address the questions and concerns on ARMF. A
preliminary report on the conservation status of ARMF was produced, including
maps on montane forest cover and protected areas of the region.
As part of an integrated framework to help compile data on the Albertine
Rift region, ARCOS has been working on the organisation of a regional workshop
on species monitoring and information sharing. The idea is to explore
possibilities by first amassing the scattered geographically-referenced data
into a usable electronic system that will allow the dissemination of information
to help in conservation decision making in the countries of the region. These
data can then be used to identify geographic areas where information is most
limited or lacking. These initiatives would help to promote conservation
on the ground with the identification of areas of particular conservation
importance.
A more solid framework on biodiversity assessment is needed, mainly promoting
a regional exchange with different actors in the region, and to extend interest
to other ecosystems (e.g. aquatic, agricultural landscape).
Building Local Skills and Supporting Local Organisations
ARCOS is committed to assist local scientists and conservationists in their
efforts to access to academic training, on-site training and participation
at workshops. ARCOS can assist by providing contacts or approaching potential
donors.
During 1998 and 1999, ARCOS was able to secure academic training funding
from Welcome Trust to help a student to do a MsC in Biological conservation
at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK. This was a joint effort
by ARCOS Principal Coordinator and other colleagues interested in the Albertine
Rift.
Another aspect of building local skills is to assist local organisations
in fund-raising, project development and organisation development. In order
to encourage the promotion of community-based conservation, a small funding
was provided in the workshop budget for participants interested in conducting
small pilot projects. A total of 10 applications were received by ARCOS,
but only 3 could be supported. These include:
Setting a strategy to promote awareness and involve local communities in
the conservation of Monge Forest Reserve (INECN) - Burundi.
Integration of pygmies in the conservation of Mikeno sector montane forests
in the Virunga range (VONA) North-Kivu - D.R. Congo.
Promoting Community Involvement in the Conservation of Echuya Forest Reserve
and the associated Muchuya Swamp (NatureUganda) - Uganda.
ARCOS plans to initiate a regional conservation Trust (as recommended by
the regional priority-setting workshop) in order to continue to assist local
NGOs.
Promoting Awareness and Supporting Decision-Making
Promoting sound decision-making and awareness raising for the conservation
and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources is one of the key
objectives of ARCOS, and this was emphasised during the July workshop which
recommended that specific actions be taken by governments and relevant
authorities to protect critical sites and to adopt appropriate national policies
and legislation.
To implement this, ARCOS has produced and widely disseminated materials targeting
different audience in the region: bilingual -English and French- newsletter
(Backbone and “Le Pilier”) and bilingual Fact Sheets.
Furthermore through funding from the Tropical Rainforest Programme of the
Netherlands Committee for IUCN and WWF Forest for Life Campaign, ARCOS is
planning to produce a Handbook on Conservation status, Challenges and
Opportunities. This initiative aims at producing a policy-targeted document
for decision-makers and the general public so as to raise awareness on the
conservation and sustainable use of ARMF. If funding is available, it is
hoped that this handbook will be ready and available for launching during
the Conference on Ecosystems of Dense and Humid Forests of Central Africa
(Conference des Ecosystèmes de Forêts Denses et Humides
d’Afrique Centrale - CEFDHAC) planned to be held in June 2000 in Bujumbura,
Burundi.
C. ARCOS PRIORITY ACTIVITIES
With co-funding from WWF/World Bank Alliance for Forest Conservation and
Sustainable Use, the Tropical Rainforest Programme of the Netherlands Committee
for IUCN, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, the FAO Mountain Programme
and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Albertine Rift
Conservation Society (ARCOS) facilitated a regional priority-setting workshop
from 13-15 July 1999, Kampala (Uganda), on “Promoting community-based
conservation and regional information exchange in support of Albertine Rift
montane forests”.
The workshop involved governmental and non-governmental organisations from
all the Albertine Rift countries. The workshop reviewed ongoing activities
and identified major priority actions in relation to the conservation and
sustainable use of Albertine Rift montane forests.
The workshop identified the following key activities as a priority for ARCOS
during the period 2000-2003:
Conduct site-based stakeholder analyses of the priorities, needs and
opportunities in integrated conservation and development activities with
a focus on the major montane forests sites under pressure in the Albertine
Rift;
Develop a monitoring and management system for information on biodiversity,
stakeholders and conservation activities in the region;
Support grass-roots conservation activities through site-based conservation
and community conservation programmes for critical sites, technical assistance
and a regional Montane Forest Conservation Trust;
Establish a regional information and training centre and facilitate regional
training for NGOs, teachers, wildlife clubs and government institutions in
biodiversity monitoring, natural resources management and institutional
development;
Produce regional reviews, reports and maps on the status of biodiversity
and biodiversity conservation in the Albertine Rift montane forests;
Produce a regional bi-annual newsletter, fact sheets and educational materials
incorporating lessons learned in the region and disseminate them widely and
free of charge in the region;
Organise regular regional workshops to exchange experiences and to identify
priorities and joint opportunities.
Most of these activities are inter-related and complement each other. ARCOS
would like to build a solid regional framework to assist conservation needs
in the Albertine Rift region. Focus on fund-raising will be on the following
budget lines:
1. Regional Office Capacity:
In order to implement planned activities, a solid and committed team and
a minimum of capacities are required. ARCOS plans to have the following key
staff: Principal Coordinator, Regional Coordinator, Projects Director (role
of Fund-raising and assisting local NGOs), Information Officer and are the
key positions recommended by the workshop. The staff will require a minimum
travel facility of vehicle, to facilitate visits to Partner organisations
and site based initiatives.
2. Albertine Rift Regional Information Centre
We plan to increase efforts in the areas of information compilation, database
development and management, mapping, production of ARCOS regional newsletter,
regular educational materials and other documents for lobbying and awareness
raising, etc,
3. Training and Capacity-Building for local NGOs:
The workshop recommended the establishment of a Regional Training Centre.
This will be achieved initially through the organisation of training events
on specific themes, using available facilities.
4. Regional Conservation Trust:
The workshop recommended the establishment of a trust through ARCOS, to manage
funds related to montane forest conservation projects in the region. As part
of the follow up actions to the workshop, ARCOS has provided small grant
funding to support small projects. This funding is proving to be invaluable
to local initiatives. A Regional Trust could be linked to the Fund-raising
Officer position above as there is a clear need also to assist local
organisations in fund-raising, project and institutional development, etc.
5. Site-based conservation:
There are critical sites in the Albertine Rift, which need urgent conservation
and protection actions. ARCOS has identified two key sites for the initiation
of a community conservation programme and monitoring activities, to integrate
the needs of local communities in conservation (Itombwe montane forest in
D. R. Congo and Mahale National Park in western Tanzania).
6. Regional Forum and Regular meetings with Partners:
The workshop proposed that ARCOS should organise a bi-annual regional workshop
(rotating around the 5 countries of the Albertine Rift). In addition, a Regional
Steering Committee was set up to meet twice a year and, apart from regular
correspondence; ARCOS staff must visit focal points at least once a year.
D. Partnership, Friendship and Support
As a regional initiative, ARCOS will continue to promote exchange and networking
in the region and reinforce its partnership and collaboration with stakeholders
and other institutions involved in biodiversity conservation in the Albertine
Rift.
To implement its programmes and activities, ARCOS needs partnership,
collaboration and support from a wide range of stakeholders, local communities
and different institutions involved in the conservation in the region, but
also external organisations and institutions interested in the conservation
issues in the Albertine Rift
ARCOS had initially planned to have a membership scheme, but given that looking
for membership in the region could lead to some sort of competition with
our Partner organisations in the region, ARCOS prefers the option of "Friends
of ARCOS". So everybody, individual or institutions wishing to contribute
to ARCOS can contribute financially as much as they can.
Regarding the partnership, ARCOS encourages partnership and is looking for
partnership agreement with local organisations and organisations outside
the region. Partnership with local organisations will focus mainly on project
implementation, information exchange and technical assistance. Partnership
with institutions outside the Albertine Rift could involve for example
information and technical exchange, financial support, etc. ARCOS is now
working on this through the development of a “Regional Conservation
Network”.
You can support ARCOS:
by joining its Partnership if you are an organisation interested in biodiversity
conservation in the Albertine Rift region;
by becoming member of its network of “Friends of ARCOS”
if you want to support occasionally or on regular basis ARCOS activities
through technical assistance or financial support or
by funding one or several of ARCOS projects or programmes.
For further information
Principal Coordination Office
c/o WCMC, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DL, UK.
Tel: + 44(0) 1223 277314 Fax: + 44 (0) 1223 277136, Email:
samk@wcmc.org.uk
Regional Coordination Office
c/o NatureUganda, Plot 83, Tufnel Drive, P.O. Box 27034, Kampala Uganda,
Tel: +256 41 530 700, Fax: +256 41 533 528/530134. Email:
arcos.rc@imul.com
Web Site:
http://www.wcmc.org.uk/arcos
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