Training is an important part of any field research and is integrated within our survey projects. Research equipment, including a set of harp traps, has been donated to the Educational Biology department of the University of Palangkaraya. Since 2004 traps have also been sent to The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society and Indonesian Institute of Sciences. A series of training workshops has also taken place:
East Kalimantan:
During April 2005 two short training events were organised for TNC staff, conservationists, researchers and students from the Samarinda-Balikpapan area. Training focused on how to conduct a basic forest bat survey using harp traps, bat handling and identification. These events also served as rapid surveys of two important protected forests.
In Sungai Wain Protection Forest near Balikpapan a rapid survey followed by a formal training workshop for local ngo staff and staff/students from Universitas Mulawarman, Samarinda was hosted by Matt Struebig and TNC. The workshop followed a typical survey schedule whereby traps are set in the morning/afternoon and then checked in the evening and following morning, after which they are moved to a new position. The 20 participants gained valuable experience in survey design, setting traps, using taxonomic keys and bat identification. With no known caves in the area, the bat community of Sungai Wain resembles that of Tanjung Puting by being dominated by forest specialists.
In Sungai Lesan Protection Forest in Berau District, less formal training of TNC staff took place during survey work. Participants worked on the survey programme and were trained to set traps and identify the most common bats to species. Having good quality forest cover and being near to known karst areas has undoubtedly contributed to an impressive diversity of bats at Sungai Lesan. Together with a large orangutan population, TNC will use this information to lobby for increased protection of this area.
Central Kalimantan:
In November 2005, a two-day training course led by Dorothea Pio and University of Palangkaraya students Norma, Hetty, Misnandeni and Patur Rachman was conducted in Tangkiling, a cave system about 30km from Palangkaraya. Sixty-five students and two members of staff were trained in bat field-techniques.
Following support from Bat Conservation International a training manual has been developed that supplements existing field guides. The manual was written with Rakhmad Sujarno Kudus and Angela Benton-Browne in both English and Bahasa Indonesia. Please contact us for a copy.
Showing posts with label conservationist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conservationist. Show all posts
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Monday, May 5, 2008
THE ROLE OF CONSERVATIONNIST IN ECOTURISM
By: Erasmus Owusu Henaku, Ghana
Ecoturism occurs in wilderness areas, often protected areas. The world’s poorest people usually live in and around these areas. Conservationists role is to help to establish a balance between the needs and demands of the protected area site and all resource user including local residents, national/international companies and tourists.
Given its potential costs and benefits, conservationists have mixed feelings about ecoturism. It presents difficulties and obstacles to the mission of preserving biological diversity and promoting sustainable development. It may hinder conservation and development activities.
Of greater significant ecoturism presents opportunities to advance conservation and development goals. It offers ways to capture more attention and funds for conservatioan and development schemes in areas that attract visitors.
Conservationists need examine the specific issue areas where ecoturism intersects with their conservation mission. Some of the main issue areas where ecoturism and conservation intersect and where problems and opportunities are presented are:
- Protected area management.
- Sustainable development in conifer zone areas.
- Environmental policy and
- Directing consumer demand.
Within each of these five issue areas, conservationists can devise many strategies to maximize the opportunities presented by ecoturism and minimize its problems. One of the most pressing issue areas is protected area management because so many parks are experiencing great increases in visitation and are totally unprepared.
One of the best strategies to help parks be in better position to manage and benefit from tourists, is to promote a comprehensive planning process and assist in creating ecoturism plans.
Ecoturism occurs in wilderness areas, often protected areas. The world’s poorest people usually live in and around these areas. Conservationists role is to help to establish a balance between the needs and demands of the protected area site and all resource user including local residents, national/international companies and tourists.
Given its potential costs and benefits, conservationists have mixed feelings about ecoturism. It presents difficulties and obstacles to the mission of preserving biological diversity and promoting sustainable development. It may hinder conservation and development activities.
Of greater significant ecoturism presents opportunities to advance conservation and development goals. It offers ways to capture more attention and funds for conservatioan and development schemes in areas that attract visitors.
Conservationists need examine the specific issue areas where ecoturism intersects with their conservation mission. Some of the main issue areas where ecoturism and conservation intersect and where problems and opportunities are presented are:
- Protected area management.
- Sustainable development in conifer zone areas.
- Environmental policy and
- Directing consumer demand.
Within each of these five issue areas, conservationists can devise many strategies to maximize the opportunities presented by ecoturism and minimize its problems. One of the most pressing issue areas is protected area management because so many parks are experiencing great increases in visitation and are totally unprepared.
One of the best strategies to help parks be in better position to manage and benefit from tourists, is to promote a comprehensive planning process and assist in creating ecoturism plans.
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