Protected area management training in West and Central Africa : impacts and recommendations

Building capacities in protected area management is a priority for the development and conservation of parks and reserves in West Africa, since a wide range of knowledge and skills is required to manage protected areas, and since the training provided by most water and forestry departments does not include specific modules on protected areas. It is with this in mind that IUCN offers short- and long-term courses aimed at providing the various stakeholders in the field with the tools and technical and scientific skills required to improve the way they manage their parks. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effects of the training, analyse perceptions of past students, and recommend measures for improving the courses.