• The CCMN Model for Community Based Monitoring has been developed through the testing and evaluation of different approaches to CBM in a variety of contexts across Canada over the past year. This model can act as a reference for any community in Canada initiating or conducting a CBM program.

• An enhanced ability to gather information on ecosystem status and trends, through the collection of locally relevant and scientifically valid data that measure key ecosystem characteristics that are valued by the community.

• An enhanced ability to deliver timely information for responsive management. In some participating communities, the CBM initiative has resulted in the development of trust, partnerships and lines of clear communication that will lead to the ability to provide timely information for responsive policy. Several other communities are working to put this process together.

• Emergence of the importance of indicators that provide early identification of ecological change. The CCMN project has emphasized the value of indicators that can provide early warning to local decision-makers when their vision of sustainability is going off track so that they can respond effectively while the threat is still small and manageable.

• Increased development of an engaged, informed public. The CCMN “experiments” have contributed toward building the social capital in participating communities that is critical to the success of any CBM program. Many new networks were formed or enhanced through the projects and the capacity of many community members to generate, deliver and use environmental information has increased.

As resources become available, EMAN CO will be developing opportunities to apply the CCMN results in parks, protected areas and a wider set of communities. Application in multi-community landscapes will also be investigated.