From November 6 to 9, BIOPAMA Caribbean Coordinator Hyacinth Armstrong-Vaughn and Jose Courrau, Senior Protected Areas Officer of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) regional office in Costa Rica, facilitated a national workshop in Antigua and Barbuda. The participants reviewed the PAME framework and tools they could use to more effectively manage their protected areas (PAs). Management effectiveness assessments were also conducted for two sites and technical guidance was provided in the development of a draft management plan for a proposed protected area. The technical support was well received and will help guide a more coordinated effort for PA management in the country.

The two, accompanied by Julian Walcott, Technical Officer with responsibility for the Caribbean Protected Areas Gateway, then visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines between November 19 and 23 to facilitate PAME training of the PA professionals within responsible management agencies, including the National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority, Forestry Services, Fisheries Division, and non-governmental organisations.

An in-depth introduction to the PAME framework and associated tools was provided, in particular on the Enhancing Our Heritage Toolkit and Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT). The Caribbean Gateway goals and aims were also introduced, including the need for national engagement via CREWs (Credible Reliable Energetic Willing persons) and an appeal for additional participation in the CREWs was made to those present. This workshop was very important for the development of an effective PA performance management and evaluation system for the country.