Symposium on Ecosystem and Landscape-Level Approaches to Sustainability

     While the world’s ecosystems are under strong and multiple pressures that threaten the critical  life-sustaining values that they represent, it is also the case that significant advances have been made around the world in recent years that are positively implicating hundreds of millions of hectares of forests and tens of millions of forest dependent people. This is a story that needs to be better told, and 2011 as the United Nations International Year of Forests, is an ideal time to tell the story.

     Accordingly, the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Medio Rural y Marino of Spain, the Regional Government of Castilla y León, Spain, the International Model Forest Network Secretariat, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Secretariat to the Convention on Biological Diversity are pleased to invite you to participate in an International Symposium on Ecosystem and Landscape-level Approaches to Sustainability. The Symposium precedes the Global Forum of the IMFN, also being held in Burgos.

Photos of the event, here: Photos of the International Symposium on Ecosystem and Landscape-Level Approaches to Sustainability.

Videos of the presentations of the event, here: Videos of the International Symposium.

Day trip

     The Global Forum celebrated National Tree Day in Revenga (Burgos), where delegates had the opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into the Urbión Model Forest and its forestry management practices. A series of visits to companies and sites in Soria and Burgos also provided them with the chance to see how economic, social and cultural interests can be reconciled with the need to conserve natural resources.

Following a meal enjoyed in the open air, the events to commemorate National Tree Day continued with a series of demonstrations of traditional activities in this region, including dancing and music by the dulzaina (traditional Spanish oboe) players of Quintanar de la Sierra. Particularly popular were the women’s log cutting and rope twisting competitions; a demonstration of pine cutting and wood chopping and pine wood loading and transport by carts by the Real Cabaña de Carreteros (the Royal Teamsters Guild).

     The afternoon’s events also included an exhibition of forestry and carpentry tools, a demonstration by a blacksmith who created several objects in forged iron, a chozo de carchones – a traditional shelter for shepherds, and the classification of burning woods.

     The activities organised to celebrate National Tree Day provided a fascinating insight into past and present forestry activities, thanks to the contribution of local and regional professional and residents’ associations. The events took place within a festive atmosphere that marked the close of the International Symposium and linked with the start of the 3rd Edition of the Model Forest Forum.

Photos of the Field Trip, here: Photos of the Field Trip.

IMFN Global Forum

     Every three years the IMFN Secretariat brings together members of Model Forests (and their respective regional secretariats) from around the world in one location. The IMFN Global Forum, as this gathering is called, is primarily a business meeting in which Model Forests share knowledge, review their accomplishments, problem solve and create strategic plans for the years ahead. Previous meetings have taken place in Turrialba (Costa Rica) in 2005 and Hinton (Canada) in 2008. For more information on the 2008 Global Forum in Hinton, Alberta, Canada see the IMFN website.

     The IMFN 2011 Global Forum in Burgos, Spain will take place on March 25th and March 26th (with a field trip on March 24th). The Global Forum is open to Model Forest members only as it is primarily a business meeting of the IMFN. However, most Model Forest members attending the Global Forum will also participate in the International Symposium offering an excellent opportunity for Symposium participants to network with people directly involved in Model Forests around the world.

     The International Model Forest Network (IMFN) is a global community of practice whose members and supporters work toward a common goal: the sustainable management of forest-based landscapes through the Model Forest approach. The IMFN is comprised of more than 50 member Model Forests in existence or under development in 30 member countries across 5 continents, five Regional Network Secretariats and the International Secretariat which is housed within Natural Resources Canada in Ottawa, Canada (please scroll down for contact list).

     Model Forests are based on a flexible framework for learning and doing that combines the social, cultural and economic needs of local communities with the long-term sustainability of large landscapes in which forests are an important feature. By design they are voluntary, broad-based initiatives, linking forestry, research, agriculture, mining, recreation and other interests within a given landscape. While each Model Forest sets its own priorities, common themes found across the IMFN include biodiversity, conservation, forest restoration, sustainable economic development, education and good governance. These common themes form the basis for networking, learning, and innovating from local to global levels.

To learn more about Model Forests and the IMFN visit www.imfn.net

Photos of the event, here: Photos of the IMFN Global Forum 2011.

Videos of the presentations of the event, here: Videos of the IMFN Global Forum 2011.