During 2-10 March 2005, a three-person team of fire ecologists with expertise in fire applications—assembled by The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) Global Fire Initiative—visited key locations within the Caribbean pine savannas of eastern Honduras. The purpose of the visit was to gain insight into the fire management issues facing the conservation of the Caribbean pine savannas that are located in and around the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve and other conservation areas in the Department of Gracias Adios—an area long known as the Mosquitia or Miskito Coast. The trip was coordinated by The Nature Conservancy’s Honduras/Nicaragua Country Program and MOPAWI (Mosquitia Pawisa Apiska), an NGO focused on the development and conservation of the Mosquitia.

The objectives of the assessment were to:

1. Gather information on the fire management needs and issues within the Caribbean pine ecosystem and related savannas.
2. Assess current fire regimes and discuss whether they are significantly altered from what is believed to be appropriate to maintain the integrity of the pine savanna ecosystem.
3. Develop a list of research needs and information gaps.
4. Evaluate fire management planning and training needs.
5. Assess how local communities and peoples might be integrated into fire management strategies.
6. Identify key individuals who might participate in training courses, exchanges and mentoring programs.
7. Propose fire workshops that could be held in the region to further address fire related issues.
8. Provide TNC Honduras and MOPAWI with recommendations and next steps.