SMART: A Guide To Getting Started

This is achieved through the collection, storage, communication, and evaluation of data on patrol efforts, patrol results, and threat levels. When effectively employed, the SMART Approach can substantially improve the protection of wildlife and their habitats. The SMART Approach can be introduced to any conservation area that relies on patrol teams to protect wildlife and natural ecosystems. This approach has already demonstrated its effectiveness in improving law enforcement efforts, improving morale of enforcement teams, and reducing threats to wildlife and other natural ecosystems across various sites worldwide. At present, the SMART Approach is being implemented in more than 120 conservation areas in 27 countries, and it is becoming a global standard for law enforcement monitoring and management. The SMART software and establishing a patrol database will not, on its own, improve protection in a conservation area. Basic enforcement capacity and infrastructure must be in place, and adaptive patrol management must be introduced. This includes introducing resources, staff with management and analytic skills, processing and evaluation of data, feedback mechanisms, and ranger performance-based incentives. This combination of law enforcement effort, results, and threats to inform and adapt management practices is what is referred to as the SMART Approach. Successful implementation of the SMART Approach requires a major commitment from the implementing agency and careful considerations before initiating this approach. The guide provides an overview of what is required to make the SMART Approach a success and outlines the main steps in the preparation and introduction of the SMART Approach in a conservation area. This guide is built on the collective experience and lessons learned of SMART implementers and site-based staff. Before introducing the SMART Approach, it is essential to determine whether the site is suitable for SMART implementation. This involves identifying key capacity, financial, and management needs for SMART implementation. A checklist is provided to help plan a realistic program for SMART implementation at the site, ensuring long-term success. A formal management structure must be in place in the conservation area where an adaptive management approach can operate. This management authority must have decision-making responsibilities and endorse the SMART Approach. Commitment to improving management systems is also necessary, including a willingness to consider changes in protection strategies, management practices, or budget allocations. Managers should possess good leadership skills, an understanding of issues related to patrols, and the ability to evaluate patrol data and provide feedback to rangers. Staff with technological proficiency are required for database design, patrol data management, and data management. Financial planning is also necessary to ensure adequate resources for operating patrols, including patrol mission costs and ranger costs. The SMART Approach requires a GPS or spatial data logging device for spatial monitoring. Experienced site protection managers may be able to introduce the SMART Approach without prior experience and technical assistance. However, it is strongly recommended that site-based staff attend workshops approved by SMART Partners on the use of SMART software and application of the SMART Approach for adaptive management. The SMART Partnership was established in 2011 to develop SMART protection monitoring software and support tools for improving protection. The current SMART members include CITES-Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE), Frankfurt Zoological Park, North Carolina Zoological Park, Panther, Peace Parks Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). A threats analysis and definition of objectives and indicators should be conducted to identify actions that rangers can initiate to address threats. This process involves gathering information on the status of the conservation area, including wildlife distribution, habitat types, access points, human settlements, and existing protection infrastructure. Objectives for patrols and interventions should be defined, including threat reduction, recovering, and maintaining habitat, and target species populations. Preparing for SMART implementation requires a number of preparatory steps at the site level. A checklist is provided to help plan for SMART implementation, including defining reporting needs, developing standardized patrol reports, and summarizing key data and progress indicators.