Abstract:
The concept of protected areas (PA) is one of the most widely used policy tools for biodiversity
conservation including habitat and wildlife protection. Despite the importance and emphasis placed on
protected area management, biodiversity is still in decline and more species are in danger of extinction.
Some analyses have indicated that more than 40% of protected areas are poorly managed. To improve
management effectiveness, the inclusion of diverse stakeholder information in articulating management
strategies has been strongly encouraged; however, stakeholder involvement is often poorly integrated,
and an opportunity granted only to select stakeholder groups, with PA staff, especially at lower
organizational levels, minimally involved. Further, protected area management effectiveness (PAME)
assessments are most frequently used as an aggregated outcome measure of effectiveness but these
data should also inform management practice. Thus, for PA managers to obtain a greater understanding
of issues impacting their effectiveness, they would benefit from including the voices of staff at all
working levels. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to survey 135 wardens and rangers at all
organizational levels from the two administrative sectors of Maasai Mara National Reserve to determine
their perceptions of management effectiveness and to determine if significant differences existed across
staff levels and administrative sectors. Significant differences were found to exist across staff levels and
administrative authorities supporting the need for expanded staff voice in establishing effective PA
management plans.
