Links

Forests

Info Sources | Intergovernmental Bodies | NGOs | Research Institutions | Industry and Certification Bodies

Info Sources

• Forest Certification Watch provides current news coverage on forestry-related issues.
  
  
• The Forest Conservation Portal works to end deforestation, preserve primary and old-growth forests, conserve and sustainably manage other forests, and to commence the age of ecological restoration. The website provides forest conservation news, information retrieval tools and original analysis.
  
  
• Forests Monitor aims to contribute to the debate about sustainable forest management by collating and disseminating information on companies operating in the forestry sector around the world. The forestry sector has traditionally operated without independent scrutiny and we work to increase transparency and accountability of the sector.
  Their web site contains publications, maps and some of the information we hold on forestry companies.
  
  
• Global Forest Watch , an initiative of the World Resources Institute, provides news, resources and information on sustainable forestry.
  
  
• Illegal-Logging.info, the website of Chatham House's forestry programme, provides background infomration on the key issues in the illegal logging debate, together with news stories, information on events, key documents and links to other relevant websites.
  
  
• The Rainforest Portal is an Internet search tool that provides access to reviewed rainforest conservation news, information retrieval tools, and original analysis and action opportunities; including an annual assessment of the State of the Rainforests. The Rainforest Portal is a project of Ecological Internet.

Intergovernmental Bodies
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• The Convention on Biological Diversity Forest Portal aims to allow Parties to the Convention, along with other governments, NGOs, research practitioners, project managers and other actors in civil society to reflect on and analyse their common experiences in implementing the objectives of the expanded programme of work.
  
  
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Forest Genetic Resources Department is actively working with its Members to assess the global state of genetic diversity in the world's forests and find solutions to the threats facing them. The Organization also promotes best practices in forest genetic resources management specifically in the areas of conservation, exploration, testing, breeding and informed use of new biotechnology.
  
  
• International Tropical Timber Organisation is an intergovernmental organisation promoting the conservation and sustainable management, use and trade of tropical forest resources.
  
  
• UNEP World Conservation Centre offers information, analysis and capacity building at regional, national and international levels for the conservation, protection and restoration of the world's forests and their biodiversity.
  
  
• UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Forestry site provides information, access to forest-related databases, detailed country profiles and links to documents on all aspects of forestry.
  
  
• The United Nations Forum on Forests is an intergovernmental policy forum the aims to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and strengthen long-term political commitment to this end.
  
  
• World Conservation Union (IUCN) -- Forest Conservation Programme supports an integrated people-centred approach to conservation that ensures that forest resources are effectively restored, conserved and employed at the landscape-level to help secure sustainable and desirable livelihoods, particularly for the poor.
  
  
• World Commission on Forests and Sustinable Development was created by a group of some 30 former heads of Government and State to increase awareness of the dual function of world forests in preserving the natural environment and contributing to economic development; broaden the consensus on the data, science and policy aspects of forest conservation and management; andbuild confidence between North and South on forest matters with emphasis on international co-operation.

Non-Governmental Organisations
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• Carbono & Bosques: El Centro de Investigación Carbono & Bosques (C&B) es una organización pionera en Latinoamérica en el desarrollo de actividades de consultoría, investigación y capacitación en temas relacionados con la ecología terrestre y el cambio ambiental global.
  
  
• Central African Regional Program for the Environment is an initiative by USAID to address the issues of deforestation and biodiversity loss in the Congo Basin forest zone, in the middle of the African continent.
  
  
• Chatham House -- International Forest Regime Project: examines options for further development of the international forest regime. In addition to addressing the UN Forum on Forests, it assesses the prospects and issues relating to existing and new legal instruments, including the renegotiation of the International Tropical Timber Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
  
  
• FERN promotes the conservation and sustainable use of forests and respect for the rights of forest peoples in the policies and practices of the European Union.
  
  
• Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) advocates an alternative vision of how forests should be managed and controlled, based on respect for the rights of the peoples who know them best.
  
  
• Friends of the Earths' Good Wood Guide aims to help consumers make the best, most sustainable choice when buying or using wood for your next DIY, self build or construction project.
  
  
• Global Forest and Trade Network is WWF's initiative to eliminate illegal logging and improve the management of valuable and threatened forests.
  
  
• The Global Trees Campaign is a partnership between Fauna & Flora International and UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre aims to save the world's most threatened tree species and their habitats through information, conservation and wise use. The campaign focuses on trees as flagship species for conservation of ecosystems and landscapes, and enables local people to carry out rescue and sustainable use operations.
  
  
• Global Witness Forests Campaign works to eliminate the trade in conflict timber, to combat illegal logging and to prevent unsustainable forest practices.
  
  
• International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Forestry and Land Use Programme (FLU) seeks to improve people’s livelihoods from forest and land use on the basis of equity, efficiency and sustainability. The programme’s intention is to have impact in key arenas where the decision-making that matters for better forestry and land use actually takes place.
  
  
• The Nature Conservancy works to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
  
  
• The Rainforest Action Network campaigns for the forests, their inhabitants and the natural systems that sustain life by transforming the global marketplace through education, grassroots organizing and non-violent direct action.
  
  
• The Rainforest Foundation works to support indigenous people and traditional populations of the world's rainforests in their efforts to protect their environment and fulfil their rights
  
  
• Traffic International works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
  
  
• Tropenbos International works to improve forest management for the benefit of people, conservation and sustainable development through a process of research programme articulation through stakeholder consultations, with stakeholders being local forest dependent people, forest managers, governmental authorities, commercial forest enterprises, conservationists and researchers
  
  
• Tropical Forest Trust (TFT) is striving to expand the area of natural tropical forest that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, helping to ensure that forest management is environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable. Investors need a pragmatic approach that secures an ethical wood supply and protects their corporate image.The Tropical Forest Trust offers an investment vehicle to secure FSC certified tropical hardwood products
  
  
• The UK Tropical Forest Forum is an independent association created in response to the growing concern within Britain for the future of tropical forests. It includes governmental, NGO, public and private organisations, companies and individuals with an interest in the sustainable utilisation and conservation of tropical forests..
  
  
• The World Rainforest Movement is an international network of citizens' groups of North and South involved in efforts to defend the world's rainforests.
  
  
• WWF Forest Conservation Programme aims to protect the most significant and threatened forests, ensure they are monitored and properly managed, guarantee that their ecological integrity is enhanced, and that they are increasingly self-sustaining. Other work includes reponsible forestry and restoration.

Research Institutions
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• The Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI) is an independent non-profit body, which aims to enhance research and technology development capabilities in support of conservation and management of forest resources in the Region.
  
  
• Center for International Forest Research (CIFOR) is an international research and global knowledge institution committed to conserving forests and improving the livelihoods of people in the tropics. CIFOR's research aims to help local communities and small farmers gain their rightful share of forest resources, while increasing the production and value of forest products.
  
  
• The European Tropical Forest Research Network (ETFRN) is a forum for communication between European organizations, researchers, EU institutions and others concerned with sub-tropical forest research. The ETFRN Network seeks to promote the involvement of European research expertise towards the conservation and wise use of forests and woodlands in tropical and subtropical countries.
  
  
• IUFRO (the International Union of Forest Research Organizations) is a non-profit, non-governmental international network of forest scientists. Its objective is to promote international cooperation in forestry and forest products research.
  
  
• The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) was established under the Science and Technology policy adopted by the Government of Kerala as an autonomous institution to undertake research in areas like forestry, biodiversity etc., that are vital to the development of Kerala State.

Industry and Certification Bodies

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• ForestWorld Group is a US based import/distribution company providing hardwood from sustainably managed forests certified by FSC.
  
  
• ForestDirectory.com provides a comprehensive directory of the forest products industry, including information on the forest products and pulp and paper industries.
  
  
• The Forest Stewardship Council is an international not-for-profit membership-based organization that brings people together to find solutions to the problems created by bad forestry practices and to reward good forest management.
  
  
• Proforest is an independent company working with natural resource management and specialising in practical approaches to sustainability. Its work ranges from international policy development to the practical implementation of requirements on the ground, with a particular focus on turning policy into practice..
  
  
• The Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, founded in 1999 which promotes sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. The PEFC provides an assurance mechanism to purchasers of wood and paper products that they are promoting the sustainable management of forests.
  
  
• ForestRe Limited is a new specialist insurance entity, created to address the financial risk management requirements of the forest industry worldwide, as well as those of the associated eco-systems/environment market place. ForestRe will transform the marketplace for the insurance of forests and tree crops: there is currently a significant gap between supply and demand.