Forming new forestry societies
A free manual entitled "How to form a professional forestry society", together with a separate booklet of appendixes, has been published by the International Union of Societies of Foresters (IUSF). The manual helps to fulfil one of the purposes of IUSF, which is to assist in the development of strong national institutions of professional foresters. "There is no doubt," writes outgoing IUSF President Laurence Roche in the preface, "that the absence of strong national professional institutions is a serious limitation to the development of wise forest policies and effective management practices."
The manual offers detailed instructions on planning, setting up and running both professional and technical organizations. By following the step-by-step procedure, a group of dedicated foresters can be sure that nothing consequential is left undone. The manual is also intended as a guide to any existing professional forestry society in which major alteration to the by-laws of that society is foreseen.
The first volume of the manual, covering 73 pages, is divided into three parts, the first dealing with planning a new society, the second with setting it up and the third with running it. The appendixes, which cover 97 pages in a second volume of the manual, treat 22 individual topics, such as definitions, employment of staff, how to choose the name of the society and publications.
The manual can be obtained by writing to: International Union of Societies of Foresters, Secretariat: Institut forestier de Canada, 151, Rue Slater, Suite 815, Ottawa, Canada KIP, 5H3.
Asian mangroves
The mangrove forests of Asia and the Pacific are the most extensive and productive in the world. A new Regional Mangrove Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (REMIN), with headquarters in Manila maintained by the Natural Resources Management Centre and the Philippine National Mangrove Committee, was established in 1985 to disseminate and exchange information on man groves in the region. It issues a quarterly newsletter and will publish a bibliography on mangrove research, a state-off -the-art report on mangroves of the region and a directory of mangrove experts. The network is composed of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia and Sri Lanka.
HARVESTING FROM MALAYSIAN MANGROVE conservation does not, a multiple use / B. CHRISTENSEN
Figure by N.LUGINBÜHL
Research needs in the Asia and the Pacific region
Representatives from 21 forestry research organizations in the Asia and the Pacific region met with representatives of 13 international, regional and national donor and technical assistance organizations at a workshop held from 17 to 21 March, 1986 at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, to discuss strategies for Asia and the Pacific forestry research.
During the workshop, discussion groups developed suggestions for more effective forestry research in the region. Recommendations to donors and assistance organizations included:
i) increasing programme coordination;ii) funding the proposed IUFRO International Council for Forestry Research and Extension (INCOFORE);
iii) funding twinning and networking among forestry research organizations;
iv) preparing country-specific development initiatives within regional/global frameworks;
v) establishing and supporting the proposed Pacific Island Regional Forestry Information Center and similar mechanisms for funding small-scale programmes to meet the needs of small countries;
vi) increasing and sustaining funding for forestry research, scientific and technical training and institution-building in the region;
vii) funding new and increased forestry initiatives in afforestation, biotechnology, biofuels, forest tree improvement, multi-purpose trees, seed banks and social forestry.
Suggestions to the forestry research organizations included:
i) developing national forestry action plans to fit into the framework of international action plans such as the FAO Tropical Forestry Action Plan, in order to gain political and constituent support for forestry research;ii) focusing research on immediate and urgent problems relevant to national development, rather than on more traditional lines;
iii) increasing coordination between forestry and non-forestry research institutions and scientists; and
iv) increasing action research in the field at the community level.
The five top priorities of forestry research organizations in the regions were identified as the need to:
- train scientists;
- improve facilities;
- increase project funding;
- improve research management; and improve contacts with peers.
Prior to the workshop, 23 forestry research organizations were asked to review a list of subject-area priorities developed at a similar workshop in 1982. The "top five" priorities in 1982 were:
i) ecology and silviculture;
ii) silviculture;
iii) agroforestry:
iv) reforestation and afforestation; and
v)watershed management and hydrology.For 1986, the top five subjects were the same, but the order of priority had changed to
i) silviculture;
ii) ecology and silviculture;
iii) reforestation and afforestation;
iv) watershed management and hydrology; and
v) agroforestry.
The East-West Center has published a report of the workshop which summarizes the discussions and conclusions and also carries a summary of project activities in forestry research by donor and technical assistance organizations in the Asia and the Pacific region.
Forestry reorganization In New Zealand
Major political changes are now affecting the responsibilities of those in volved in forestry in New Zealand. The Government has decided that various forestry activities will now come under three main headings.
A PINE NURSERY IN FIJI afforestastion and reforestation have high priority / R. LEVINGSTON
The Forestry Corporation Production forests, mainly the exotic plantations but also indigenous production forests, the marketing divisions and commercial (sawmilling) interests previously managed by the New Zealand Forest Service will now be run as a business enterprise with its board reporting to the Government. An interim board has been appointed and the Corporation commenced operations on I January 1987.
The Department of Conservation This will be responsible for all other New Zealand Forest Service forests, including national and maritime parks and scenic reserves. The Director-General will be Mr Ken Piddington and the Department has a new Minister and Under-Secretary of Conservation.
The Ministry: of Forestry The other interests previously catered for by the New Zealand Forest Service not already mentioned above, such as the Forest Research lnstitute; advisory services (timber inspection, quarantine, farm forestry, etc.); training; planning; and administration of some legislation (Forest and Rural Fires Act), will become the responsibility of the Ministry of Forestry. Mr Alan Farrington has been ap pointed to organize the functioning of the Ministry from I January 1987.
The Crown Estate Commission will report to the Department of Survey and Land Information and will have the responsibility of advising the Government on the allocation of Crown land for protection, conservation or for commercial use.
The Commonwealth Forestry Review
New genetics centre in Mexico
A new Centre of Forest Genetics was created in Mexico during 1985. The Centro de Genética Forestal, A.C., is a non-profit organization committed to encourage research on genetics and breeding of the Mexican conifers. This centre is located at Chapingo and is supported in a cooperative effort by industry, universities and the federal government.
The main objectives of the centre are to develop tree improvement programmer, conservation of forest genetic resources and other projects on seed handling and biosystematics. The centre is organizing its library, so any donation of reprints, journals and books will be kindly appreciated. For information, contact Dr Teobaldo Eguiluz (Director), Apartado postal No. 104, Chapingo, Mexico, C.P. 56230 Mexico, Tel. (595) 43522.
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New Chief of US Forest Service F. Dale Robertson: new US Forest Service Chief / FAO R. Max Peterson retired as US Forest Service Chief on 2 February 1987 after a 37-year career with the agency, which he has headed for more than seven years. He was succeeded as Chief by F. Dale Robertson. Robertson, aged 46, joined the Forest Service in 1961 after obtaining a forestry degree from the University of Arkansas, Monticello. His career has included numerous assignments in the South, the Pacific Northwest and in Washington, D.C. After eight years as a forest supervisor in Oregon, he was appointed Associate Chief of the Forest Service in 1982 and was serving in that position when he was named Chief. He is the 12th Chief since the Forest Service was established in 1905. George M. Leonard, formerly Associate Deputy Chief for the National Forest System, has been named to succeed Robertson as Associate Chief. |
