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The Conservation Projects Development Unit co-managed the following in-country programme on St Helena in the South Atlantic.
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An island-driven Sustainable Environment and Development Strategy for St Helena, South Atlantic.The Sustainable Environment and Development Strategy (SEDS) for St Helena was produced on behalf of the St Helena Government as a case study for the application of Agenda 21 and the Convention on Biological Diversity.This work was undertaken in collaboration with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the St Helena Working Group and funded by DFID (formerly ODA). The strategy recognized the need to balance economic, social and ecological systems. The project aimed to secure the island's fragile ecology and to combine the mutually supportive aims of attaining the economic and social ambitions of the islanders and preventing species and habitat loss. |
The participatory process was island driven and encouraged participation
and consensus building in all aspects of island development. The CPDU produced
an endemic species management plan to support the habitat conservation
and restoration action plan.
 |
Trochetiopsis erythroxylon from St. Helena. |
Taken from: Special Edition of ECOS
- Dependent Territories - overseas, overlooked? put together by the UK
Overseas Territories Conservation Forum.
Rowe, R. (1998) Changing Times
on St Helena Island. ECOS 19(1):20-26.
Rebecca Rowe is the Environmental Conservation Officer in the Environmental Conservation Section of the Agriculture and Forestry Department of the St Helena Island Government
St Helena has embarked on a process to reduce the Island's dependency on UK aid through social, economic and environmental development. Protection of the Island's natural resources is critical to the success of economic development that will come from export promotion of fish and agricultural products; import substitution of meat and vegetables; inward investment; development of high value-low volume tourism and the construction industry.
St Helena is heavily dependent on UK aid. For the financial year 1995-96, this amounted to £8,439,000. For the same year, the local revenue was £7,136,000, raised through exports of fish, fishing license, tourism, stamp sales and taxes. Much of the local revenue comes from duty on import goods. In 1994-95, £5,075,000-worth of goods were imported to St Helena, compared to just £194,000 of exports, largely fish. 1
In 1997, unemployment was about 20% of the population of 5,100. In an effort to reduce dependency on aid and tackle rising unemployment, the St Helena Government has embarked on a process of reorienting the Island's economy away from public sector provision, to the private sector.2 The public sector has dominated the economy of the Island for over thirty years, since the collapse of the flax industry (Phormium tenax), and consequently has influenced the Island's culture. Transition from the public sector to the private sector is complicated by the lack of an established private sector, by culture and because the changes are taking place within a shrinking economy. The Strategic Review is the key policy and development plan for the Island. It sets out the Government's policies and plans to re-direct public sector resources to support those productive industries identified for private sector growth: tourism, import substitution, export promotion, basic manufacturing and service industries, inward investment and construction, to lead to the Vision for St Helena. This is a "prosperous, peaceful and democratic society for all, achieved through sustainable economic, environmental and social development, leading to a healthy and eventually financially independent Island".
Opportunities for overseas employment and emigration play an important role in the Island's economy. Incomes generated in migrant employment are reinvested in housing and domestic expenditure. In addition, St Helenias returning from overseas have skills and experiences to invest in the Island. Migrant labour is especially important when the economy is in decline. The current issue of citizenship also has implications for the future economy of the Island. Overseas employment opportunities are desperately needed and citizenship will not only give people the chance to work in the UK but also the right of abode. This could contribute to the existing loss of skilled labour from the Island but, with corresponding changes in local emigration laws, could give other people, such as expatriates married to St Helenians, the chance to emigrate to St Helena, providing much-needed skills and investment.
Another key area of development is tourism. Government's policy is to "encourage the development of a high-value, low-volume tourist industry....[and to] create the economic environment in which this can take place. Private enterprise will be the key vehicle for job creation to support the tourism industry."2 In promoting the development of tourism, the Government commissioned a UNDP-funded consultancy, appointed a director of Tourism and has opened a tourist office in Jamestown, the Island's capital. The consultants based their recommendation for the development of tourism on the Island's natural assets producing "a strategy for heritage and nature based tourism development". However, the advisor pointed out that, without increased access to the Island, through an airport and /or opening up access to Ascension, the potential for tourism development will remain limited. Currently, the main access to the island is via the RMS 'St Helena', which undertakes four main voyages per year from Cardiff to Cape Town with additional shuttles between Ascension and St Helena, and St Helena and Cape Town. In 1997, the RMS brought about 325 tourists, who stayed on the island between the shuttle.
Environment in the context of social and economic development
In 1993 the Government of St Helena commissioned a team of consultants, led by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the International Institute for Environmental Development, to propose a sustainable environment and development strategy (SEDS) for the Island. In response, the Government formed a SEDS Response Committee made up of representatives from both Government and non-governmental organisations. This has been responsible for developing priority environmental projects. This was a sized-down approach, compared to the consultant's recommendations, but one that was felt feasible locally. Progress has been slow and, although an environmental policy and issues appear in the Strategic Review, this key development document for the Island has failed to integrate the environment fully with social and economic development. An Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE) was, at the request of the SEDS Response Committee, formed in 1997. This is now responsible for taking forward the SEDS process. The ACE must raise public and Government awareness of environmental issues and public participation in decision making to develop a SEDS for St Helena, thereby avoiding the lack of strategic planning for the Island beyond three-year periods.
In 1994, St Helena's first NGO dedicated to nature conservation, the St Helena Nature Conservation Group (SNCG) was formed, although pre-existing NGO's, like the Heritage Society (formed 1980) and Farmer's Association, did have environmental objectives. Table 1 shows the overlap in environmental conservation objectives between SNCG, the Heritage Society and the ECS. However, despite NGOs having conservation objectives, they have had limited impact and the Government has remained the lead agency. If the SEDS process is to evolve, a stronger sense of local responsibility for, and involvement in decision-making on, the environment is needed. The ACE sees strengthening the capacity of local NGOs to provide greater support for environmental conservation3 as a crucial step in the process.
Table 1. Comparison of conservation objectives between the SNCG, the
Heritage Society and the St Helena Government
| Broad classification
|
MISSION STATEMENT
St Helena Nature Conservation Group |
MISSION STATEMENT
The St Helena Heritage Society |
MISSION STATEMENT
The Environmental Conservation Section of the Agriculture and Forestry Department |
| 1. Identification and recording
|
Identification and recording
of various species, including collating and disseminating literature and sources of information. |
To make surveys, prepare maps
and plans,collect information in relation to any place, erection or building of beauty or historic or architectural interest. |
Identification and recording of rare plants species through biannual surveys. Development of projects for surveying under researched biodiversity. Carry out annual wirebird survey. |
| 2. Assessment
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Assessment of various species and their habitats including
surveying and monitoring of numbers and threats to their survival.
|
Monitor habitat change through permanent photographic monitoring. Assess the status and threats to species through biannual surveys. Carry out assessment of the status of seabird colonies at Gill Point and on offshore outliers. | |
| 3. Conservation
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Encouraging, sponsoring, canvassing and supporting an
awareness and action towards conservation, especially key habitats.
|
To awaken public interest in and appreciation of the
geography, history, natural history, and culture. To give advice and information.
to promote high standards of planning and architecture. To secure the preservation, protection, conservation, development and improvement of: i) man made and natural features of historic or public interest; ii) flora, fauna and resources of the sea; ii) wrecks of historical and educational interest, and iv) places of historic interest or outstanding natural beauty or scientific importance. |
Save and rehabilitate St Helena's endemic habitats and
increase their extent to include:
i) implementation of Peaks management plan; ii) planning and implementation of programmes for other endemic habitats; ii) development and implementation of hydrology catchment management study, and iv) development of land and seabird conservation strategies. Conserve St Helena's threatened endemic and indigenous species: i) species recovery programmes; ii) seed orchards; iii) genetic and reproductive studies; iv) seed collection and germplasm management. |
| 4. Priority needs
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Determining for conservation
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Identify conservation priorities, projects and policies and plan implement conservation programmes accordingly. | |
| 5. Co-ordination
|
Linking with bodies both Government and non-government
on a national and international level, towards achieving the mission of
the group.
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To act as a co-ordinating body and to co-operate with the Government of St Helena, Legislative Council Committees and all other statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, charities and persons having aims similar to those of the Society. | Liase with schools and NGOs in the planning and implementation
of conservation activities and projects.
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| 6. Motivation
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Encouraging a collective approach to promoting the necessary
action to preserve and enhance the natural environment of the island and
its unique flora and fauna.
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To promote pride in St Helena.
To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions from any other person or persons whatsoever by way of subscription, donation or otherwise. |
Raise funds for priority conservation projects which cannot be met within the recurrent budget. Encourage active involvement in conservation activities and environmental awareness amongst the general public through guided walks, community plantings, wirebird and seabird surveys etc. |
| 7. Education
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Through the school system, information services and the
public generally, make people aware and motivated for their natural heritage.
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To promote research into subjects directly connected
with the objects of the society and to publish the results of any such
research.
to establish a museum in St Helena and to promote exhibitions, meetings and lectures. To publish papers, reports and other literature. To give advice and information |
Raise public awareness and appreciation of St Helena's
endemic heritage through information services, youth groups, NGOs and schools.
Work with NGOs, local community and Government Departments to develop the Sandy Bay Environmental Studies Centre. |
Environmental conservation action within Government
The Government's policy on environmental conservation3 is to "conserve the Island's natural resources, developing them to produce a steady stream of benefits and returns to its present and future inhabitants". In pursuit of this the
Government will:
As in other sectors, the Government has been the lead agency in developing
environmental conservation on the Island. Until 1993 conservation was predominantly
based on endemic species recovery programmes and exotic plantings to control
soil erosion. Since then, progress has been made to broaden conservation
objectives to encompass the whole environment. The Environmental Conservation
Section (ECS) of the St Helena Government Agriculture and Forestry Department
is directly responsible for environmental conservation. It has a recurrent
budget of £69,000, and a staff of twelve, of whom four local personnel
have some training and expertise in conservation methods.
Other Sections within the Agriculture and Forestry Department are also
involved in environmental and sustainable development issues., such as
the Pest Control Section, which is managing a three-year project on integrated
pest management.
There has been a notable absence, within Government, of environmental
conservation activities relating to the marine and coastal environment
of St Helena. This was highlighted in the SEDS report (1993)4
and led to the commissioning of a marine and coastal resource advisor in
1996 through the SEDS Response Committee. The advisor recommended further
technical assistance and the Island has succeeded in securing a (UK) Department
for International Development Associate Professional. Mr Tremayne started
his appointment in December 1997 and is working with the Fisheries Department
of the St Helena Government and the ACE, and is forging links with NGOs
particularly the Fishermen's Association and the SNCG.
Environmental conservation within NGOs
Two NGOs, the SNCG and the Heritage Society, have objectives primarily directed to the conservation of the natural (both terrestrial and marine) and built environment (see Table 1). In addition, the Farmer's Association is guided by conservation principles and the St Helena Dive Club is involved in activities in the marine environment. Within anyone group, there is a considerable reliance on a few key members, who are committed to two or more environmental organisations. This does facilitate good communication links between organisations, but there is a cost. The limited amount of time that anyone person can dedicate to any one of the organisations reduces the functional capacity of the groups. The groups in effect become less field-based. Not only does this compromise the ability of the groups to meet their objectives but it also reduces the learning experiences of the groups' members and discourages new members.
Partnerships between NGOs and the Government provide mutual support and encourage action. The NGOs are working in partnership on several conservation projects as illustrated in Table 2. However, the projects are generally identified and led by Government.
Development need of the NGOs
The NGO have a key role to play in encouraging a sense of local ownership and commitment to conservation of the environment. If they are to be successful, they need to involve local communities. Involvement will come only if people can see the benefits to the environment issues through the media of radio, newspaper and word of mouth is needed in support of this. The SNCG recognise that human resources currently limit the activity of the group. The maintenance of one person in full or part time employ would go a long way to improve the situation. The SNCG has proposed a merger with the Heritage Society and has agreed to work towards the formation of a National Trust for St Helena. A National Trust would be established through Government legislation as the national organisation for the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. It would help focus human resources and seek to maintain a full time Director.
Table 2: Working partnerships in conservation projects
| Project | Project co-ordinator | Groups involved |
| WWF-UK funded endemic plants rescue programme | Rebecca Rowe
|
ECS & SNCG
|
| RSPB funded seabird monitoring programme | Rebecca Rowe
|
ECS & SNCG
|
| Development of the Sandy Bay Environmental Study Center (SBESC)
|
Steering Committee
|
Education Department, (SBESC) ACE, A&F, SNCG, Heritage Society, local community |
| Local community based projects | The Heritage Society | SNCG, Heritage Society, local community |
| Locally financed guide book to the endemic flora of St Helena | Rebecca Rowe
|
ECS & SNCG
|
| Proposed Environmental Awareness Year, 1 October 1998-30 September 1999 | SNCG
|
SNCG, SBESC Steering Group, Government |
Government and NGOs should continue to develop partnerships, which will be important for encouraging a greater awareness and concern for environment through public participation that will lead to a sense of public responsibility and ownership for the environment. Strengthening the capacity of the NGOs is a crucial step in this process.
Managerial and organisational changes are needed within NGOs if they
are going to have more involvement in policy, planning and management of
environmental conservation on St Helena. The development of closer links
between the groups could be mutually beneficial. The SNCG and the Heritage
Society have already experienced the benefit from closer ties because of
overlapping membership. The SNCG has agreed to work towards the formation
of a National Trust, which as an umbrella organisation for environmental
NGOs, with at least one full time member of staff, will provide a focal
point for organisation and fund raising.
References (article)
Cronk, Q.C.B. (1986) Conservation of the St Helena endemic flora: priorities for an integrated environmental programme. Report of WWF (UK) Project No. 118/86. 22pp.
Drucker, G., Oldfield, S., Pearce-Kelly, P., Clarke, D., Cronk, Q., et al. (1991) St Helena. Document prepared for recognition of the entire island as an international recognised site of nature conservation importance. Preliminary draft. WCMC, Cambridge, UK. 34pp.
Fay, M. F. (1989) Nesiota elliptica - the St Helena Olive; new moves to safeguard its future. Botanic Gardens Conservation News 1(4):7.
Jackson, A. (1991) Project Popeye - saving the St Helena Olive (WWF project number 162/89) - an interim report. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.
Jackson, A. (1994) Project Popeye - saving the St Helena Olive (WWF project number 162/89) - the final report. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.
Maunder, M. (1995) Endemic Plants: Options for an Integrated Conservation Strategy. An unpublished report submitted to the Overseas Development Administration and the Government of St. Helena. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Conservation Projects Development Unit (CPDU).
Maunder, M., Fay, M. F. and Upson, T. M. (1993) Ex situ and in situ approaches to plant conservation: two distinct options or complementary points on the conservation spectrum ?, pp. 44-53. In Species endangered by trade - a role for horticulture? (Groves, M., Read, M. and Thomas, B.A., eds). Fauna & Flora Preservation Society.
Maunder, M., Seal, U.S., Culham, A. and Pearce-Kelly, P. (1994) Conservation assessment and management plan for St Helena - A collaborative workshop. Botanic Gardens Conservation News 2(4):44-8.Maunder, M., Upson, T., Spooner, B. and Kendle, T. (1995) Saint Helena: sustainable development and conservation of a highly degraded island ecosystem, p. 205-17. In Islands: Biological Diversity and Ecological Function (Vitousek, P.M., Loope, L.L. and Adsersen, H., eds). Ecological Studies 115, Berlin, Springer.Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in association with International Institute for Environment and Development (1993) Report on the Sustainable Environment and Development Strategy and Action Plan for St. Helena. Under assignment from the Overseas Development Administration for the Government of St. Helena.
Smith, D. (1996) A rescue plan for the threatened tree
fern thicket of Diana's Peak National Park, St Helena. Botanic Gardens
Conservation News 2(7):46-8.
Smith, D. (1997) The progress and problems of the 'Endemic
Section' of St Helena Island. Oryx 31(3):218-24.
Upson, T. and Maunder M. (1993) Status of the endemic
flora and preliminary recovery programmes, Vol 3. In Report on
Sustainable Environment and Development Strategy and Action Plan for St.
Helena, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in association with International
Institute for Environment and Development under assignment from the Overseas
Development Administration for the Government of St. Helena.
Department of Economic Planning (1997) St Helena and Dependencies Statistical Yearbook 1996. Government of St Helena.
Government of St Helena (1996) The St Helena Strategic Review 1996/7-2000/1: the Key Policy and Development Plan for the Island.
Rowe, R. (1997) Environmental Conservation Business
Case. St Helena Government.
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