Biodiversity Restoration and Community Development

This project aims to help communities restore degraded forests while simultaneously addressing livelihood issues of local landowners in tropical areas with high levels of rural poverty. It trains professionals and community partners located in three model forests to apply analogue forestry techniques using traditional knowledge as a basis. Analogue forestry is a method of restoring a forest back to its original biological make-up and diversity. This approach also enables beneficiaries to learn to cultivate and use forest species while protecting biodiversity and to develop forest-based products and services for the local market as a sustainable income source. The project aims to develop tools provide technical support and establish strategic alliances to ensure continuation of activities beyond project end. This is one of two parts of a project valued at $500 000. The first part has been completed.