Purpose of the Session

This roundtable discussion will examine the critical role of structured, adaptive management in achieving effective conservation outcomes, using the Oilbird colony at Dunston Cave, Asa Wright Nature Centre, as a case study. Participants will explore how targeted management interventions and strategic partnerships can balance species protection with sustainable ecotourism while identifying lessons and approaches applicable across the Caribbean.

Background and Rationale

Across the Caribbean, successful conservation increasingly depends not only on scientific knowledge, but also on effective long-term management and implementation. However, the practical realities of conservation management—particularly in ecotourism settings—often receive less attention than research and policy discussions.

At Asa Wright Nature Centre, management of the Oilbird colony at Dunston Cave illustrates both the challenges and opportunities involved in protecting sensitive species within a tourism-driven landscape. Oilbirds are highly sensitive to disturbance and require stable nesting environments with minimal human interference. At the same time, increasing visitation, infrastructure pressures, predators, and limited resources create ongoing management challenges.

This session will highlight how adaptive management approaches—including controlled visitor access, habitat interventions such as artificial nesting ledges, long-term monitoring, and collaboration between Asa Wright Nature Centre and HADCO Experiences—have helped support both conservation and sustainable visitor engagement.The discussion aligns strongly with the conference theme, Birds, People, Prosperity: Harnessing the Caribbean’s Natural Advantage, by demonstrating how effective management can protect biodiversity, support ecotourism, and contribute to resilient nature-based economies.

Session Objectives

• Present a case study on management of the Oilbird colony at Dunston Cave, Asa Wright Nature Centre
• Examine key conservation and management challenges associated with tourism, habitat sensitivity, and limited resources
• Highlight the collaborative role of Asa Wright Nature Centre and HADCO Experiences in supporting conservation and sustainable operations
• Identify transferable management approaches and best practices applicable across the Caribbean
• Discuss research, monitoring, and adaptive management needs for disturbance-sensitive species and habitats
• Foster dialogue among conservation practitioners, researchers, site managers, and ecotourism partners

Session Structure and Format

The session will begin with a short presentation introducing the Oilbird colony at Dunston Cave and summarizing key management interventions, outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned. Additional perspectives will be shared on the collaborative partnership between Asa Wright Nature Centre and HADCO Experiences and the role of private-sector support in conservation management and sustainable ecotourism.

The majority of the session will focus on facilitated roundtable discussion and audience participation. Participants will be encouraged to share experiences, challenges, and best practices related to management-driven conservation, ecotourism, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement across the Caribbean.

Discussion prompts will help guide conversation around adaptive management frameworks, long-term monitoring, visitor management, conservation financing, and collaborative partnerships. The session will conclude with identification of practical recommendations and opportunities for continued regional collaboration.

Target Audience

Researchers, conservation practitioners, NGOs, government agencies, educators, outreach professionals, students, early-career professionals, ecotourism and bird guides, protected area managers, and others interested in conservation management and sustainable ecotourism.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased awareness of the role of adaptive management in successful conservation outcomes
• Identification of priority research and monitoring needs for Oilbirds and other disturbance-sensitive species
• Sharing of practical tools, approaches, and lessons learned applicable to protected areas and ecotourism sites across the Caribbean
• Strengthened collaboration among conservation organizations, protected area managers, and private-sector partners
• Initial groundwork for a regional network focused on management-driven conservation approaches for sensitive habitats and species