Project Profile: International Academy for Nature Conservation
The International Academy for Nature Conservation (INA)
Training and consultancy in nature conservation
Activities:
Guest house of the International Academy for Nature Conservation (INA) (Photo: BfN/INA)
The International Nature Conservation Academy (INA) is part of a branch office of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) in Bonn. The Academy is located on the Island of Vilm in northern Germany. Its objectives include:
- To promote the exchange of information and knowledge in conferences and seminars
- To help in meeting Germany’s obligations under bilateral agreements and international conventions, particularly in capacity building and nature conservation consultancy
- To provide support in nature conservation matters for the new EU member states and applicants
- To serve as a ‘think tank’ on current nature conservation issues
- To provide a forum for nationwide cooperation in nature conservation
Facilities:
The International Academy for Nature Conservation is uniquely situated in one of Germany’s oldest nature conservation areas, enjoying the special ambience of an island setting. It has modern seminar facilities and accommodation with a total of 60 beds. The Academy offers a professional conference service and has access to a large network of speakers and experienced trainers.
Target public:
Conference in progress (Photo: BfN/INA)
The Academy’s seminars and workshops primarily target specialists, managerial staff and decisionmakers in administration but are also open to policymakers, researchers, NGOs and civil society. Some 80 events are held each year, about a third of which have an international focus. Since it opened in 1990, the Academy has hosted guests from over 130 different countries.
Geographical focus:
20 percent of the training seminars held at Vilm are intended for a German audience. 70 percent are directed at trainees from the Community of Independent States (CIS), including the states of Central Asia, and at experts from Central and Eastern Europe. Training of specialists from elsewhere in the EU and from developing countries accounts for the remainder.
The Academy’s strong focus on Eastern Europe is historically founded and parallels German foreign policy. The German government is therefore promoting the Academy’s development into a Regional Capacity Building Centre for Eastern Europe under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Thematic focus:
Teamworking (photo: BfN/INA)
The Academy’s aim in capacity building is to make people and organisations better able to make efficient and effective use of resources in achieving conservation goals on a lasting basis in their home countries. Seminars to date have covered:
- Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
- Implementing the World Heritage Convention
- Managing protected areas
- Managing World Heritage sites
- Implementing CITES
- Implementing EU law (e.g. the Habitats Directive)
- Funding nature conservation
- Ecotourism
- Environmental education
- Sustainable use (e.g. of medicinal plants)
Cooperation:
Training seminars are held in cooperation with various partners, including the IUCN, GTZ, UNEP, UNESCO, GEF, TNC, WWF, TRAFFIC Europe, EUROPARC Deutschland, convention secretariats and the Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA).
Publications:
Burmester, A. & Stolpe, G. (2006): Training und Beratung im Naturschutz an der Internationalen Naturschutzakademie Insel Vilm. Natur und Landschaft, 
Issue 9/10, p. 481-483.
Project information:
Duration: since 1997
Programme: general inclusion of conferences of the UFOPLAN (Environmental Research Plan)
Region: global with a focus on Eastern Europe
Project management at BfN:
Section II 5.3: International Academy for Nature Conservation
Contact: Gisela Stolpe (
gisela.stolpe@bfn-vilm.de)
18581 Putbus, Germany, Tel. +49 (0)38301 86-113, Fax +49 (0)38301 86-117
