Circumpolar Protected Areas Monitoring Workshop Report: Gridwood, U.S.A.: March 28-30, 2011

The goal of the workshop was (i) for selected protected area experts and practitioners to discuss relevant arctic protected areas issues and opportunities for coordinated approaches to biodiversity monitoring, (2) to review the provide opportunity for all Arctic Council country and permanent participants to share key monitoring considerations for the group to address; (3)and provide direction and enhancements to the draft protected area discussion paper in preparation for the development of an arctic protected area monitoring framework.

The workshop gathered over 25 participants from all the arctic council member countries with particular expertise in arctic protected areas management and biodiversity monitoring and data management. The following is a summary of the presentations and discussions that took place during the three days, as well as the key findings and priorities for action that emerged.