Overview:
This project focuses on the management of Namibia’s national protected area (PA) network. Although Namibia has made great strides in conserving biodiversity through its National System of PAs, further and greatly accelerated efforts are needed to safeguard the integrity of natural habitats. The proposed project would strengthen Namibia’s National System of PAs as a cornerstone of the nation’s efforts to protect flora and fauna in situ. This, in turn, will significantly contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal 7. In particular, this project is directly aligned with the Goal 7 indicators – increasing land area covered by forest, and increasing land area protected to maintain biological diversity.

The Hoodia plant

The project will be divided into two phases, each lasting five years. This phasing has been carefully designed so that GEF funding for Phase 2 is contingent on key triggers being realised in Phase 1. Further, the project would generate significant sustainable global benefits in Phase 1, even if Phase 2 does not take place. The benchmarks for moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2 will be drafted during the Project Development Facility B (PDF-B) phase and will be finalised at the beginning of Phase 1.

Biodiversity Significance                                                                                 
Namibia harbours a rich and globally significant storehouse of biodiversity, acclaimed for its species richness, habitat diversity and biological distinctiveness. The Namib Desert, which is the planet’s oldest desert, extends all the way along the coast and boasts a large number of endemic species that have evolved extraordinary desert survival strategies. Namibia also has two internationally significant biodiversity hotspots; the Sperrgebiet and the Namib Escarpment. In addition, the country occupies a highly strategic location in terms of transboundary conservation, bordering biodiversity rich areas of neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola, as well as offering a refuge for endangered species such as black rhino and cheetah. 
                                                                                                Giant Boabab in Mahangu National Park
Preparatory Phase (2004-2005) :
This current phase is preparing the ground for the implementation of the full phase by conducting necessary assessments to compile a project document to secure US$ 8 million funding for the full phase (phase 1). The 5 major outputs of this phase are:
a) Economic analysis and feasibility study for parks financing
b) Capacity assessment for parks management in conservation at individual, institutional and systemic levels
c) Conservation needs assessment
d) Monitoring and evaluation plan
e) Project document for presentation to the GEF and other parties

Full Phase - Phase 1 (2006-2010) :
The first phase focuses on:
a) Improving the policy and legal framework, institutional capacity and mechanisms concerning protected area
management and financing;
b) Supporting current initiatives of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism concerning the improvement of planning, management and tourism development of four major parks (Namib-Naukluft Park, Etosha NP, Bwabwata NP, and the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park), the proclamation of a new park (Sperrgebiet NP), and the
harmonization of management and developing functional links between parks in the Namib Desert biome, and between Etosha NP and the Skeleton Coast Park;
c) Identification of gaps of under-representation in the national network and options to fill these; and
d) Establishing long-term financial mechanisms for PAs in Namibia.

Full Phase - Phase 2 (2011 – 2015) :
The second phase will build on the first and will focus on investments in the consolidation and expansion of the protected area network and the management thereof, by
 a) Developing parks in biomes that are currently not represented in the national network;
 b) Upgrading management planning for the remaining parks;
 c) Expanding the smaller parks where feasible; and
 d) Extensively testing long-term sustainable financing mechanisms for parks set up during the first phase.
A strong emphasis will be placed on the progressive introduction of best practices both nationally and SADC-wide through proactive knowledge management.

A Ranger in the Khaudum National Park

Would you like to know more? The SPAN Project of the MET now has its own website additionally to this page - see below:

Links:
1. Strenghtening the Protected Area Network (SPAN)
2. Description and project document on the GEF website
3. UNDP/GEF
4. GEF
5. Millennium development goals

Contact details:
The Project Coordinator (SPAN Project)

E-mail:
Tel: +264-(0)61-284 2505
Fax: +264-(0)61-245160

Strengthening the Protected Area Network (SPAN) Project
Directorate of Parks and Wildlife Management
Ministry of Environment and Tourism
2nd Floor, PZN Building, 3 Ruhr Street, Northern Industria,
Private Bag 13306 Windhoek, Namibia