Co-managed MPAs must strike a difficult balance between development and conservation objectives and although terrestrial co-management initiatives for parks and reserves have been extensively studied, few evaluations have been conducted of co-managed MPAs. Mohéli Marine Park was the first MPA to be established in the Comoros in 2001. Initially regarded as a model for co-management of marine resources, the MPA is now operating at a vastly reduced capacity following an end to external funding sources. This study assessed current perceptions of local stakeholders of the MPA to evaluate the successes and challenges of the co-management approach. [Published: 2008]

This study investigates the extent to which projects - which, according to the WWF, conserve biological diversity - can be run in an economically profitable way, so that they attract the necessary capital from private investors (‘sustainable investments’). The result is an innovative entrepreneurial concept for preserving biological diversity that invests in privately run, profit-orientated nature conservation projects worldwide. Sustainable Investments for Conservation: The Business Case for Biodiversity - WWF, Gland, Switzerland, 2007 [Published: 2007]

One of the Parks in Peril Program tasks has been designing and implementing protected area strategies to achieve financial sustainability—at the site and system levels. These strategies have included applying financial mechanisms, such as debt-for-nature swaps, conservation trust funds, tourism fees, and alliances with international financial organization, among others. This bulletin describes the protected area financial planning process and presents some of the financial mechanisms used to generate resources to finance conservation. Conservation Finance: Strategies for Protected Areas and Protected Area Systems - Fernández-Baca, J.C., S.E. Hamberg and A.S. Martin, Innovations in Conservation Series for the Parks in Peril Program,  Arlington, VA, USA: The Nature Conservancy, 2007 [Published: 2007]

This report presents a summary of the presentation and the main outputs from the working groups of the training course "Business Planning for Protected Areas in Central, Southern and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independant States", June 14th to 17th, 2007 on the Isle of Vilm.  Business Planning for Protected Areas in Central, Southern and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independant States - Lee Thomas & Andrea Burmester, Work Shop Report, German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, International Academy for Nature Conservation, Isle of Vilm, June 14th to 17th, 2007 [Published: 2007]

This report is based on a review of available literature and consultation with protected area experts around the world. It seeks to identify lessons from recent experience on the key factors which influence the success of different financing mechanisms, and to provide recommendations for improving the future sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness of PA financing. The analysis is supported by 29 case studies – summarised in boxes throughout the text – which provide concrete examples of how specific financing mechanisms are being used in a range of contexts. The case studies are extracted mainly from recent publications. They were selected as typical illustrations of particular financing issues and are not intended as illustrations of “best practice” in PA financing. Sustainable Financing of Protected Areas: A global review of challenges and options - Emerton, L., Bishop, J. and Thomas, L., IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK, 2006 [Published: 2006]

A number of relatively simple, market-based mechanisms – known collectively as tourism user fees (TUFs) ––can gather significant revenues from tourism-based activities, which can then be directed toward supporting PAs and other conservation efforts. The fees partially reflect the cost of supplying recreational services, the demand for natural resources, and the value that visitors place on their experience at the site. The direct link between maintaining natural areas and income from user fees is a strong economic incentive for conservation. Sustainable Finance for Protected Areas: Tourism-Based User Fees, From the Conservation Finance Guide: A Joint Project of the Conservation Finance Alliance - Alain Lambert et al, The Nature Conservancy, 2004 [Published: 2004]

Management Planning is an essential step towards ensuring the proper management of protected areas. This is particularly so as we move forward to the 21st century and face increasing complexities in the management of our parks and reserves. The essential steps of good management planning embracing current best practice are not always understood by park agencies or planning practitioners. These Guidelines, which have been compiled by two very experienced planners, aim to clarify the best practices for good management planning of protected areas. Guidelines for Management Planning of Protected Areas - Thomas, Lee and Middleton, Julie, IUCN Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK, 2003   [Published: 2003]

The Guide to Conservation Finance provides an overview of conservation financing mechanisms that have been implemented throughout the world. The guide informs field practitioners about which of the available financing mechanisms they could apply to achieve their conservation aims. The various mechanisms are illustrated with short case studies that demonstrate both successes and challenges. In addition, the guide provides a list of resources and Web links for further exploration of the conservation finance field. Guide to Conservation Finance - WWF, 2009 [Published: 2009]

This Worksheet provides guidance in support of the Planning Policy Statement on Eco-towns, identifying the essential steps required to ensure that their design, development and long-term management results in a sustained positive outcome for biodiversity. Biodiversity Positive: Eco-towns Biodiversity Worksheet - Town and Country Planning Assosciation, London, UK, December 2009 [Published: 2009]

With support from The Nature Conservancy and other members of the CFA (Conservation Finance Alliance), this new publication includes practical, accessible, and easy to use methods for improving financial planning, and a road map for the implementation of business-oriented financial plans for the national systems of protected areas. Financial Planning for National Systems of Protected Areas: Guidelines and Early Lessons - Flores, M., Rivero, G., León, F., Chan, G., et al., The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia, US, 2008 [Published: 2008]