Besides activities directly linked to the formulation of the zoning plan, the Project focused on a wide range of outreach and Educational Initiatives that remain essential to the implementation of the Zoning Plan and the conservation and sustainable use objectives of the Project. Here is a brief description of these initiatives.

Environmental Awareness Campaign

The Project implemented an extensive environmental education and awareness campaign to involve the people of Socotra in new concepts regarding the conservation of their unique biodiversity. Education awareness efforts have been focused on school-aged children for the most part, however, the wider community efforts have included educational programs at the village level which engage all citizens in a wide range of activities.

The environmental awareness and education effort in the archipelago directly reached an estimated 12,000 people through meetings and village gatherings. The Project reached a much larger number indirectly through special events and on-the-ground project activities like research and surveys expeditions.

The Project reached approximately 3000 school children and all active teachers from the thirty-seven schools of Socotra with environmental lectures led by the Project staff. The Project certified about 200 out of 240 teachers (including all women teachers) after their participation in formal environmental education courses.

Capacity Building and Training

One of the main objectives of the Project is to create professional capacity at the local level. This helps ensure the long-term continuation of biodiversity conservation efforts on the archipelago.

The Project designed and executed a capacity building effort for project staff, extension officers, school teachers and interested members of the local community. Topics covered during formal training courses included: botany, zoology, bird conservation, GIS mapping and use of GPS, scuba diving, marine biodiversity, fisheries processing and marketing, marine resource management, sea turtle conservation, fundamentals of ecology, English language, eco-tourism, computer use, as well as the design and implementation of socio-economic surveys. A significant amount of on-the-job training was also achieved as key project staff participated in biodiversity research and survey activities.

EPC Branch in Socotra

The local branch of the Government of Yemen's Environmental Protection Council was significantly strengthened during the course of the Project. The Project improved EPC offices and laboratories, and also funded the construction of new facilities, the purchase of vehicles, and essential equipment. Over 55 Project staff were recruited and trained, and now support the efforts of the EPC. The Government of Yemen has expressed a commitment to sustain this large and effective Socotri team that will coordinate and supervise implementation of the Zoning Plan. However the current budget of the EPC does not suffice to maintain all ongoing activities, and assistance is being sought to support this effort.