June 2011 FIG Environmental Studies Budget 2011/12

Transcription

1 Falkland Islands Government The Environmental Planning Department PO Box 611 Stanley Falkland Islands UK Telephone: (+500) Facsimile: (+500) June 2011 FIG Environmental Studies Budget 2011/12 The Falkland Islands Government provides a sum of money annually for environmental research, awareness raising, and conservation and management activities. The Environmental Planning Officer is responsible for allocating the Environmental Studies Budget (ESB) funds to owners and managers of land, non governmental organisations and international scientists that conduct research in the Falkland Islands. The Environmental Committee advises on the best allocation of ESB funds. The financial year runs from July to June and funding is allocated in one round in June. The next deadline for applications will be Monday 13 th June Projects eligible for ESB funding must assist in the management of the biodiversity of the Falkland Islands. Priority will be given to initiatives addressing the key three themes of the draft Falkland Islands Biodiversity Strategy, which are environmental research, on-ground action and education. Priority areas Priorities identified at the recent workshop to review the Biodiversity Strategy (held in April 2011) are recognised as being of particular importance. These areas include: Coastal and marine species and ecosystems Biosecurity and invasive species control The Environmental Committee has prioritised the current biodiversity needs of the Falkland Islands and projects that address these are more likely to gain ESB funds. These are: High priority Implementation of key species and habitat action plans (See Appendix 1 below) Prevention and elimination of invasive species Management of important bird and plant areas (See Appendix 1 below) Baseline surveying where knowledge gaps exist (e.g. shallow marine environment, off-shore islands, lower plants) Educational activities and materials

2 Medium priority Implementation of less at risk species and habitat action plans (See Appendix 1 below) Long-term environmental monitoring particularly for climatic and oceanographic conditions Management of national nature reserves (See Appendix 1 below) Prevention/management of pollution Livestock-raptor management Low priority Sectoral (cross-cutting theme) action plan activities e.g. eco-tourism, aquaculture, agriculture Environmental data storage mechanisms Maintenance of national herbarium and insectarium Application process Applicants landowners, land managers, scientists, individuals, institutions and organisations - are requested to submit a written outline of their project in relation to the area(s) of interest outlined above. There is a formal application form. Applicants are encouraged to discuss proposed projects with the EPD Environmental Officer prior to submission and he can also help draft your application. Proposals should be very clear on how projects contribute to conservation objectives. Where a project focuses on one site, a site management plan is desirable to identify security of long-term benefits. Where possible, some level of co-funding or in-kind costs (e.g. labour, equipment) is desirable. ESB funds can also be used as FIG co-funding when applying to funding bodies in the UK and internationally. A contract will be signed between EPD and organisations/ individuals receiving funds. The contract will specify an agreed activity timeline, a reporting process for outcomes, as well as arrangements regarding publicity and use of analysed/interpreted data. Local publicity is particularly encouraged. It is expected that the project should be completed by the end of the same financial year. Decision-making process Applications will be decided upon by the Environmental Committee based on: Relevance to the key themes and priority actions of the Falkland Islands Biodiversity Strategy Urgency the need to undertake the action immediately or in the medium or long term Capacity of the project/actions, project proponent and budget to meet stated objective(s). Possibility of sourcing funds elsewhere

3 Appendix 1 1. Species and habitat action plans Key species: Mainland tussac Whitegrass-fachine acid grassland Fachine scrub Boxwood scrub Five critically endangered plants Black-browed albatross Striated caracara Southern rockhopper penguin Cobb s wren Zebra trout Less at risk species: Endemic plants (13 species) Californian Club-rush stands Flightless Steamer Duck Pelagic cetaceans Coastal cetaceans Seals and sea lions Southern giant petrel Gentoo penguin Magellanic penguin Falkland Fritillary Ruddy-headed goose White-chinned petrel 2. Key Areas IBA = Important Bird Area (Falklands Conservation 2006) IPA = Important Plant Area, (drafted by Falklands Conservation 2011) NNR = National Nature Reserve. Sea Lion Island and Bertha s Beach are proposed Site IBA IPA NNR Beauchene Island Beaver Island Group Bertha s Beach (East Falkland) (proposed) Bird Island Bleaker Island Group (north) Bull Point (East Falklands) Elephant Cays Group Hummock Island Group (Middle only) Hope Harbour (West Falklands) Jason Islands Group (except Steeple & Grand) Keppel Island

4 Kidney Island Group Lively Island Group Low Island, Carcass Group New Island Group (south) Passage Islands Group Pebble Island Group Saunders Island Seal Bay, East Falkland Sea Lion Island Group (proposed) Speedwell Island Group West Point Island Group Volunteer Point, East Falkland The Twins, Carcass Group Cape Pembroke, East Falkland Chartres Horse Paddock Cross Island, southwest West Falkland Hill Cove Mountains Hornby Mountains Middle Island, Choiseul Sound, East Falkland Port Stephens and Albemarle Coast Motley Island, Lively Sound, East Falkland Weddell Island Cape Dolphin, East Falkland Long Mountain, East Bay, West Falkland Moss Side, East Falkland Narrows, Dunnose Head, West Falkland Sea Dog & Arch Islands, southwest West Falkland

5 2011/12 FIG Environmental Studies Budget June 2011 Applicants are encouraged to discuss proposed projects with the EPD Environmental Officer prior to submission and he can also help draft your application. Please send this completed form, preferably electronically, to the Environmental Planning Department Name: Address: Contact Number: Organisation: address: Project Title (10 words max.) Funding request State the amount you are requesting. (10 words max.) Project objectives. E.g. what is the project hoping to do, to achieve, to produce? ESB priority areas E.g. explain what ESB priority areas (see Page 1 of the information notes) that your project addresses (100 words max.)

6 Background/justification E.g. what is the problem, the solutions, etc. (300 words max.) Expected, possible project benefits and outputs E.g. what activities will occur, what products will be made, repaired or installed, what field work will occur, and when, whether the benefits or beneficiaries are site-specific or Falklands-wide, etc. (300 words max.) Any project progress to date E.g. what has been done previously, what is occurring now, etc. Justification of funds being sought E.g. what funds are needed and why. (300 words max.) List of items for funding

7 Time line for the project and for the use of the ESB funds Explain when the funds will be spent Total estimated cost of the project and details of any co-funding E.g. whether you require full funding, part funding, what resources, labour costs you can supply, commit, etc. Project proponents experience and track record in producing results Please provide some details about yourself, your organisation, previous achievements, etc. (400 words max.)