Survey of CanadianRamsar Site Managers

Clayton Rubec and

Pauline Lynch-StewartNovember 1, 2008

Ramsar COP10, Changwon, Korea

Why this Survey?

• Last direct survey of Canadian site managers 1990

• Current manager contacts not updated since 2000 and information on site management last updated 1996

• Impetus from USA - survey of 22 sites (Gardner and Connolly, Environmental Law Review News and Analysis Feb 2007)

• Audit of Canadian Ramsar Program by Office of Canada’s Auditor General

Approach

• Survey period March 13-28, 2007 preceded by several weeks of research/analysis of format

• Designed to be rapid, low cost, efficient • English and French versions undertaken simultaneously• Each manager was contacted in advance to ensure

access and instructions• Used “Vovici” on-line survey software to establish data

base to collect replies• Responses from 37 managers (100%) achieved

Advantages of Web-based Survey

• Rapid access to results

• Built-in support for structuring of questions and follow-up analysis

• Easy tracking of replies

• Exportable data

• Facilitated sharing of results with all 37 site managers

Results

• Updated site manager contacts• Updated profile of each site and information on site

management• Listened to managers’ opinions on value of Ramsar site

designation• Solicited views on options for improved national program• Compared results with 2006 USA survey

Profile of Canadian Ramsar Sites

• 37 sites covering 13 million hectares• Sites vary in size from 240 to over 6.1 million ha• Sites exist in all our 10 provinces and 3 northern

territories• Shared land tenure: 77% federal gov’t, 21%

provincial/municipal gov’t, 1% aboriginal, and 1% other private including churches

• Over 90% lies inside existing protected areas (parks, wildlife areas, etc.)

Canadian Ramsar sites have other conservation designations

Most (62%) of our Ramsar sites have up to 20,000 visitors/year; 9% have over 100,000 visitors/year

Top four benefits associated with Ramsar sites

1. Passive recreation (88%)

2. Scientific research (88%)

3. Education and awareness (82%)

4. Local economic benefits (66%)

Lac St. Pierre, Quebec

68% of our sites have management plans

• 68% of Canadian Ramsar sites have a management plan in place or under revision

• Several sites have a management plan under development

• Plans for several sites in Nunavut Territory remain undeveloped in the absence of implementation resources for some elements of the 1999 Federal-Nunavut Benefit Sharing Agreement

Some of our managers do not feel engaged with the Ramsar program

• Limited interaction with existing information resources for Ramsar site management

• No consensus on priorities for future support (such as coordinated information exchange, training, fund raising, outreach)

• Issues include requirement for financial and human resources

• No National Ramsar Committee now in place in CanadaQueen Maud Gulf Migratory

Bird Sanctuary, Nunavut

Two-thirds of our sites publicly identify with the Ramsar Convention

• Compared with “almost all” of USA Ramsar sites• 53% of our sites feature signs or displays (at or near the

site) (54% in the USA)• Some have brochures or other publications that identify

the designation• Other site Ramsar tools include websites, tours,

management plans, teaching resources and workshops or clinics

• Lack of resources is cited as a barrier in improving communications, education and awareness mechanisms for the Ramsar designation

90% of our managers want more promotion of awareness of the Ramsar designation

• Of the 11 (of 37) managers who responded that they do not publicly identify with Ramsar in any way, 10 said that the designation should be better promoted

• Lack of resources cited as a barrier in better promoting the Ramsar designation.

• Some concerns related to promoting the site– For example, “an increase in promotion without commitment to

resources to manage the area would result in degradation of the site.”

Our Ramsar site managers think the designation is valuable

• Helps to maintain the ecological character (65%)

– elevates site importance, influences planning, and improves quality of management

• Helps to promote wise use (53%)

– conveys pride, awareness and influences decisions

Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia

About 34% report changes in ecological character

Mainly due to natural factors:

• invasive species

• change in water regimes

• climatic variability

• increased waterfowl populations

But also human induced factors:

• on-site land use and activities

Ramsar site managers think designation helps protect ecological values

• Of the 13 respondents who reported change in ecological character of the wetland, 10 responded that the Ramsar designation had helped to maintain the ecological character of the site.

• Implies that change in the ecological character of these important wetlands would have been greater in the absence of the Ramsar designation.

Designation associated with benefits and problems

Most valuable benefits:

• protection of site and surrounding lands/waters

• public awareness of wetlands

Problems:

• lack of funding

• lack of resources for local activities

• poor communications Big Quill Lakes NAWMP site, Saskatchewan

Comparison of Canada-USA national views on designation

Canada USA

Increases local community interest and benefits 64% 73%

Improves protection of site and maintains ecological character

68% / 65% 68%

Assists with grants and funding Generally yes 82%

Generates more scientific research Generally yes 36%

Increases visitor use Unknown, first time surveyed

41%

Promotes wise use of site 53% Generally yes

Path Forward

• Need to develop recommendations that respond to the issues identified:

– more resources for site management– a National Ramsar Committee – leadership and network support– site management training opportunities

• Ramsar site information sheets, maps and management plans are noted as out-of-date by Canadian managers and the Ramsar Secretariat in Switzerland

• A flexible survey approach by more of the Ramsar community outside North America, tailored to national or regional management issues and the delivery of the Ramsar Strategic Plan, makes sense based on our experience

Thank you!

Presented by:

Clayton Rubec

Centre for Environmental Stewardship and Conservation (CESC)

Ottawa, Canada

Web: www.ceschabitat.ca

Email: clay.rubec@ceschabitat.ca

Phone: +1 (613) 725-0456 Alaksen National Wildlife Area, British Columbia