Protection through Community Participation in San Lorenzo, Panamá
Case Study C0146
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| Date | January 2006 |
| Agency | Centro de Estudios y Acción Social Panameño (CEASPA) |
| Donor/support agency | Fundación Natura de Panamá Global Environment Facility (GEF) National Fish and Wildlife Foundation |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Panama |
| Locality | San Lorenzo Protected Area |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Conserve biodiversity in the San Lorenzo Protected Area |
| Poverty reduction goals | Increase local capacity to sustainably use and manage natural resources |
Summary
Centro de Estudios y Acción Social Panameño (Panamanian Center for Research and Social Action - CEASPA) is responsible for the implementation of the project 'San Lorenzo, Panamá: Protection through Community Participation' carried out in the San Lorenzo Protected Area, near the Panama Canal and the former Fort Sherman. The main objectives of this project can be summarised as: conserve biodiversity in the protected area; obtain the support of all stakeholders interested in conservation; increase local capacity for the management and sustainable use of natural resources.
To achieve these objectives, CEASPA developed a management plan, with the participation of a variety of stakeholders, and helped establishing the administration and financial management of the project. Furthermore, CEASPA increased the local capacity to sustainably use and manage natural resources, both within the protected area and in the surrounding areas. In conclusion, this project is a proof that, with support and clear goals, an organized group of citizens can influence public policies for conservation, while also supporting the efforts and interests of the communities living adjacent to conservation areas.
Conservation impact
Community members mapped, at a scale of 1:10,000, the vegetation cover and agricultural use of the entire zone near the protected area. The San Lorenzo Protected Area management and zoning plan gained approval from four government agencies and was declared a national park.
Poverty reduction impact
In the course of the project: 13 park guards were trained; fifty producers from five communities have improved techniques for organic robusta coffee production and have sold their coffee for the first time, without intermediaries, to the largest coffee producing business in Panama, Café Duran; four rural tourism committees, two community plant nurseries, and seven women’s groups were established; community organizations were strengthened and their self esteem raised.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Devolution or reinstatement of local rights over/access to resources
Enhanced access to/availability of natural resources for local use
Sustainable Use
Reference 1
http://www.eco-index.org/search/results.cfm?projectID=146
Reference 2
http://www.sanlorenzo.org.pa
More information
Jesús Alemancia and Charlotte Elton, Project directors
Phone: +507 226-6602
E-mail: coord@sanlorenzo.org.pa
Related records above this one:
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)