What is the PAPR?
The Protected Areas and Poverty Reduction Research Alliance [PAPR] is a consortium of organizations in three countries, Canada, Ghana, and Tanzania that are researching the relationship between protected areas and poverty in an effort to assist local communities to develop mechanisms to more effectively benefit from the adjacent conservation areas. The consortium is led by Dr. Grant Murray at Vancouver Island University. Researchers from all three countries will be coordinating their efforts and comparing results so as to better share experience and apply new and innovative solutions to their local situations. The research will be focused on four thematic areas of inquiry [for more detail see Themes]:
- Optimizing equitable benefits
- Managing human-wildlife interactions
- Improving protected area governance
- Mobilizing new and existing knowledge
Study Sites
Study sites have been identified in each country where efforts will be focused. Sites have been chosen where multiple aspects of the research focus will provide a richness of experience and learning. In Canada the study focus will be on the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and the Tribal Parks of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. In Ghana, three sites have been selected: Bui National Park; Mole National Park; and, Avu Lagoon Community Protected Area. In Tanzania Saadani National Park and Serengeti National Park [with the adjacent community controlled Wildlife Management Areas] are the two sites selected [for more detailed information see Research Sites].
How the Kesho Trust is Involved
The Kesho Trust is a community partner in Tanzania within the PAPR and will be focusing effort on the engagement with communities in the research sites in Tanzania. We will also be promoting and supporting researchers in the study areas in Tanzania and welcome expressions of interest from similarly focused researchers. The PAPR will also be organizing and participating in public events and conferences during the course of the program to highlight the work of the consortium. These events will be announced on this website and in our regular newsletters [sign up for the Kesho Trust newsletters].
Who is involved?
In each country there are institutional, agency and community partners. All those involved are listed here as participants in the project.