New approaches to data collection for forest inventories in Latin America and the Caribbean

Background

National Forest Inventories (NFIs) provide robust and useful data for sustainable forest management and climate action. One of the main components of national forest monitoring systems (NFMS) are NFIs, which rely on multiple data sources, including field inventories, remote sensing, and socioeconomic surveys, to estimate the relevant characteristics of forests at particular times. The information generated by NFIs has a positive impact on society, as they provide science-based data for forest-related policy development, both nationally and internationally, as well as for public and private forest planning and management. (FAO, 2021)

In recent years, countries in the region have made considerable progress in developing their National Forest Inventories (NFIs) and, in some cases, exploring the participation of local communities and organizations in the field data collection, considering that the role of local communities and organizations can contribute beyond the conservation of forest resources to play a key role in data collection and development forest monitoring activities, in general.

Under this brief context, and within the framework of the UN REDD program, with the technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) will hold on August 28th, 2024, a Virtual Meeting on Sharing Experiences on Innovative Methods for Collecting National Forest Inventory Data with Local  participation which will bring together members of the IFN-LAC Network.

General objective

Present and discuss country experiences that can provide elements for the implementation of new approaches to NFI field data collection with the engagement of local communities or organizations.

Specific Objectives

To share experiences on the participation of local communities or organizations in NFI field data collection in Guatemala, Mexico and Panama.

Encourage NFI-LAC Network member countries to reflect on the participation of local communities and organizations in NFI field data collection and their application within the countries of the region.  

Identify opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned about engaging local communities and organizations in NFI field data collection.

Workshop Expected Outcomes

Reports with relevant aspects identified in the Webinar regarding the participation of local communities and organizations in NFI field data collection.

Participants

Delegates from the National Forest Inventory Network (LAC) countries, participants from Mexico, Panama and Guatemala. In addition, it will be broadcast on FAO’s Latin America and the Caribbean YouTube channel.

Live broadcast