In a concerted effort to fortify the capabilities of the newly-established Racha National Park (NP) and the administrative staff of four of Georgia’s Protected Landscapes, the Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF) has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the US Department of the Interior’s International Technical Assistance Program for Nature Protection and Environment (USDOI-ITAP NPE), the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, and the Agency of Protected Areas to launch an intensive six-day training program in Tbilisi.
The training, attended by 30 participants from the Racha NP and the Protected Landscapes, serves as a pivotal platform for equipping personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and conserve the natural resources within their jurisdictions. Facilitated by Mr. Paata Shanshiashvili, USDOI-ITAP Technical Advisor and In-country Coordinator, the course titled “The Best Practice Fundamentals of Protected Areas Integrated Governance and Management: Towards Globally Consistent and Locally Relevant Standard” spans various modules tailored to address key aspects of park management and conservation. These modules include:
- Integrating instruments of legal-enabling environment, planning paradigm, and best practices of governance and management.
- Essentials of natural and cultural resources management.
- Fundamentals of visitor services.
- Public outreach and improvement of environmental behavior.
- Sustainable infrastructure/facilities development.
- Park ranger duties, encompassing resource and visitor protection, as well as search-and-rescue operations.
- Institutional strengthening through effective leadership, organizational development, and partnership building.
The comprehensive curriculum aims to introduce participants to and instill in them best practices and to foster a holistic understanding of park management principles, ensuring the alignment of strategies with globally recognized standards while maintaining relevance to local contexts.
As participants immerse themselves in this enriching learning experience, they are poised to emerge as stewards of conservation, equipped to safeguard the ecological integrity and cultural heritage of Racha NP and Georgia’s Protected Landscapes. Stay tuned for updates on the impact of this training initiative as it unfolds.
