Template 2a - VCA Management Plan
After submission of an audited VCA Management Plan, a conservation area can be listed
on the VCA Registry. The Management Plan needs to include the 4 sections set out in
this outline:
VCA Management Plan
1. Overview of the Area
This section presents core information on the area such as its geographical
location, the manager, and conservation challenges and opportunities.
1.1 Executive Summary
Provide a concise description - up to 250 words - of the area and its
conservation plans. The summary will be posted on the VCA website.
1.2 Area Characteristics & Area Manager
Locate the area with two decimal geographic coordinates which can used for
the internet map on the VCA website. (For example, the coordinates
46.415796, 6.278120 are for the Earthmind office in Switzerland.)
Specify the area’s size in hectares. State the predominate ecoregion. (See:
http://worldwildlife.org/biomes.)
Provide a general description of the area’s living natural resources including
its ecosystem(s) and native species, as well as the current uses of these natural
resources. If there is built infrastructure, this should also be specified.
Submit the name and contact details of the responsible management
authority. Provide supporting evidence of the manager’s right to manage the
area.
1.3 Photos & Auditor
Submit and label three high quality (at least 5 megapixel) digital photos from
the area to be used on the VCA website:
 a landscape/seascape view
 a typical native plant
 a typical native animal
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Other photos can be included as well. It is possible to provide links to key
websites, photo galleries, video clips, or reports on the area’s VCA webpage
on the VCA website.
Provide the name and contact details of the approved independent
conservation area auditor who will be submitting the Audit Reports of the
Management Plan and the Annual Performance Reports. See Section 4 for more
information.
2. Baseline Assessment
The Baseline Assessment defines the starting point against which conservation
performance may be measured. It includes a science-based description of the
conservation area’s ecosystems and species. It also includes a description of how
the area’s natural resources are being used and whether this use is sustainable,
compliant with national regulations and supportive of sustainable development.
2.1 Current Natural Status of the Area
This section presents an assessment of the current status of the integrity and
diversity of nature in the area, and, importantly, around the area. It should
assess the status of ecosystems and species with respect to their conservation
and sustainable use.
2.2 Past Natural Status of the Area
This section presents the past status of nature in and around the area. In
particular, it should highlight significant changes in this status within the last
twenty-five (25) years with respect to the conservation and sustainable use of
natural resources.
2.3 Future Natural Status of the Area
This section should describe possible future scenarios for nature in and around
the area. In particular, it should highlight what is likely to happen without the
implementation of a VCA Management Plan.
3. SWOT Analysis
‘SWOT’ is the acronym of a strategic planning method used to identify the
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of a project. A conservation
area SWOT looks at the area’s internal strengths and weaknesses and its external
opportunities and threats with respect to enhancing conservation performance.
A SWOT analysis must include consultations with key stakeholders that are
affected by or interested in the area’s proposed conservation actions. In
developing countries, in particular, the broader challenges of sustainable
development need to be considered in this analysis.
3.1 Stakeholder Engagement
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This section identifies key stakeholders with respect to the management plans
for a conservation area. Stakeholders will most likely include neighbouring
communities, conservation NGOs, and regulatory authorities. Stakeholders for
areas generating goods or services may include customers, employees,
suppliers, and investors.
The section must also report on consultations undertaken with the key
stakeholders to prepare the VCA Management Plan.
3.2 Analysis of Internal Strengths & Weaknesses (SW)
This section identifies and assesses the area's internal Strengths and
Weaknesses with respect to maintaining or improving its conservation status
– i.e., with respect to conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems and
species.
In so doing, actions to improve the area's conservation status by building on
its strengths and addressing its weaknesses should be identified.
3.3 Analysis of External Opportunities & Threats (OT)
This section identifies and assesses the external Opportunities and Threats
facing the area with respect to its conservation status.
The analysis provides the basis for identifying possible actions that can be
undertaken within the broader ecoregion in which the area is located to
conserve nature and use natural resources sustainably.
4. Action Plan
With the information and insights generated from the Baseline Assessment and
the SWOT Analysis, the area manager can draft a strategic set of conservation
actions that leverage strengths, mitigate weaknesses, optimise opportunities,
and minimise threats.
As set out by the CBD’s Ecosystem Approach, the Action Plan should specify a
number of conservation and sustainable use objectives and the specific actions
that will be undertaken to meet these objectives.
The Action Plan should specify the resources required and a timetable for
deliverables. For each goal, ‘SMART’ targets need to be set – Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This allows robust
monitoring to take place and enables annual reporting on conservation
performance. If external funding is being sought, a budget and funding
requirements can also be specified here.
4.1 VCA Goals
This section of the Plan sets out the specific conservation goals for the VCA
with respect to the area’s ecosystems and species.
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4.2 VCA Targets & Actions
This section presents a set of SMART targets & actions to meet the goals of
the Plan. The actions are to be implemented over the 5-year period of VCA
registration and certification. At the end of the five years, the VCA
Management Plan may be updated for the next five-year period.
4.3 Monitoring & Reporting
This section sets out the targets and indicators for the specified targets and
actions. It also details a robust monitoring programme which will be put in
place during the implementation of the VCA Action Plan. It will also set out
the reporting cycle which must include an Annual VCA Performance Report
that will be published on the VCA website. More frequent reporting, such as
quarterly reports, is also acceptable.
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