This project is engineering a paradigm shift in the approach and management of natural resources. A shift from an ad-hoc species or problem centric approach to a holistic ecosystem-based management 'ridge-to-reef' approach guided by planning within national and state governments. This ensures that whole-island systems are managed to enhance ecosystem goods and services, to conserve globally important biodiversity and to sustain local livelihoods.

The project promotes an integrated approach towards fostering sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation by seeking greater awareness, knowledge and participation of all stakeholders in achieving a greater balance between environmental management and development needs.

This reduces conflicting land-uses and land-use practices, and improve the sustainability of terrestrial and marine management. The project also demonstrates sustainable land management practices testing new management measures as needed to reduce existing environmental stressors and institutional limitations. 

The project enhances the country's capacities to effectively manage its protected area estate and increase the coverage of the terrestrial and marine protected area network on the High Islands. 

What we do

The project works to strengthen local, state, and national capacities and actions to implement an integrated ecosystems management through 'ridge to reef' approach on the High Islands of the country's four states.