Quarterly Report Quarter 1 FY 2012: Advancing Sustainable Landscapes in the Andean Amazon II

The initiative began in 2011 with a focus on two landscapes: the Madre de Dios/Cusco Landscape in Peru and the Sucumbíos Landscape in Ecuador. The ICAA II approach to collaboration involves aligning strategies and actions with other stakeholders working within the landscapes to ensure synergies, complement efforts, and avoid duplication. This is achieved through sharing yearly work plans with relevant stakeholders, including government ministries, provincial governance bodies, and municipal governments, as well as ICAA II landscape partners, NGOs, and projects. Joint action plans are developed where possible, and implementation tools and materials are shared to maximize the ability to leverage resources, expand learning, and contribute to program and/or region-wide conservation impacts. In the first quarter of FY 2012, significant progress was made in refining project activities through gaining an improved understanding of the landscape contexts. This was achieved through field visits and meetings with regional, national, and local government and civil society stakeholders. The draft work plan and Performance Management Plan (PMP) were submitted to USAID, awaiting comments. In the Sucumbíos Landscape, Ecuador, the ICAA II team participated in a breakfast presentation for the Ministry of Environment (MAE) and other relevant ministries, where they presented the project objectives and received positive feedback. The team also met with members of the Sucumbíos regional MAE office to discuss project objectives and visited tourism operations and a Siona community within the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. The MAE representatives responded positively to the proposed activities, which were in line with their forest governance model and National REDD+ Program. In the Madre de Dios/Cusco Landscape, Peru, the ICAA II team participated in a focal group organized by the management of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve to analyze the updated management plan. The team also participated in a coordination meeting with the MAE regarding the Financial Sustainability of the National System of Protected Areas Project to identify tourism activities related to the CWR. The ICAA II team has established a new office in Quito and has begun identifying potential office space in Lima and Quillabamba, Peru, and Lago Agrio, Ecuador. The team has also made progress in consolidating the landscape teams, hiring a new Forestry Manager in Ecuador and contracting a Deputy Program Manager. However, challenges have been encountered, including a delay in implementing activities, which has created uncertainty among project stakeholders. The proposed Policy Advisor accepted a job as an advisor to the Ecuadorian government, and a potential candidate is being evaluated to replace him.