International

Model Forest

Network imfn.net

The International Model Forest Network:

Partnerships for Ecosystem Sustainability

Nicolas Duval-Mace Policy Advisor International Model Forest Network Secretariat

The IMFN in a Nutshell

• A global learning community that includes over

60 landscapes in 30 countries

• An approach to participatory resource

governance that is implemented in 100 million

hectares

• One of Canada’s most important outreach

program in support of sustainable forest

management

What is a Model Forest?

A place, a partnership and a process:

• A large landscape or ecosystem that typically

contains a forest, but also other land uses.

• A group of stakeholders committed to

working together: government agencies,

communities, academics, private sector, etc.

• A joint program of work in support of SFM,

based on dialogue, experimentation and

innovation.

A Common Framework

• Ecosystem and landscape-level approach

• Open and inclusive partnership based on

common interests

• Transparent and participatory process

• Program of work reflective of joint objectives

• Networking from local to global levels

Canadian Origins

• In the early 1990’s, Canada’s forest sector was

challenged by non-traditional groups to broaden

access to planning and management of forest

resource use to a much larger constituency.

• Concept was designed to bring diverse groups

together to explore new and innovative approaches to

land-use and resource management and to ultimately

translate the results into practice.

• International Model Forest Program proposed by

Canada at Rio Earth Summit (1992).

IMFN: What it Does

• Focus on common issues from a network

perspective (regional and global)

• In areas such as climate change, ecosystem

goods & services, community sustainability

• Encourage local solutions to globally-shared

problems

• Helping to translate policy objectives into practice

• Facilitate the exchange of innovative ideas

and practices

• Through demonstration and cross-pollination

IMFN: What it Does Not

• Model Forests do not replace existing set of

tenure and authority on land and resources

• But they provide a forum for dialogue, sharing

views and advocating interests

• IMFN Secretariat, hosted by Canada,

provides support services to the network but

typically does not provide funding

• With the exception of current Africa programming

(time-bound)

Highlights

Land-Use Issues – Dominican Republic • Model Forest collaborating with major gold company on

environmental remediation, including forest restoration and poverty reduction

• US$ 8 million project over period 2011-2015

• Framework agreement between Dominican Government, Barrick Gold, Enda Dominicana (ENGO), Colinas Bajas MF and Canadian Government

Forest Landscape Restoration – Asia • May 2012 submitted request for funding to APFNet

involving 6 landscapes in 5 countries

• Restoration (natural regeneration and plantation) proposed for more than 600 ha to act as demonstration sites for capacity building and best practices

Highlights

Climate Change Adaptation – Latin America

• Developing community-based adaptive strategies focused on watershed services

• EcoAdapt Project implemented in Model Forests in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile (2012-2016)

• 1.9 million Euros funding from the European Union through the 7th Framework Program

• Includes participation of research institutions such as CIRAD (France), CATIE (Costa Rica) and IUFRO

Regional Policy Coordination – Europe • Enhancing forest policy governance and coordination – EU

INTERREG Program: Med FM Project, 2009-2011 / Baltic Landscapes Initiative, 2012-2015

• Promoting ecosystem-level and multi-stakeholder governance concepts in forest policy

Summary

• A collaborative framework to integrate various

aspects of rural development, land-use and

resource management

• Engagement of a large spectrum of stakeholders

through open, neutral partnerships

• Working at ecosystem scale and across

disciplines and administrative boundaries

• A demand-driven, global network for sharing

knowledge, learning and demonstrating innovative

approaches to sustainability

www.imfn.net