Launch of eLearning course “Delivering Restoration Outcomes for Biodiversity and Human Well-being”

Join us for an engaging webinar on Delivering Restoration Outcomes for Biodiversity and Human Well-being, hosted by the FAO to explore how countries can implement large-scale restoration efforts to achieve the goals outlined in Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Date: Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Time: 15:00–16:30 Rome Time / 9:00-10:30 Panama time
Registration link: https://bit.ly/3UhAjgi

As we face increasing environmental challenges, restoring degraded ecosystems is critical to addressing biodiversity loss, enhancing human well-being, and meeting global climate commitments. This webinar will focus on:

• Understanding Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its importance in achieving national and global restoration goals.
• Key steps for operationalizing restoration initiatives.
• The role of the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM) in supporting restoration reporting and implementation.

WHY ATTEND?
Participants will gain insights from restoration experts representing FAO, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), and National Ministries of Environment from Brazil, Kenya, and Peru. Guests will share practical experiences, lessons learned, and tools to inspire effective action.

AGENDA

• Welcome and introductions – Fabio Picinich FAO eLearning Academy
• Opening remarks – Jamal Annagylyjova, Forest Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration Officer, CBD Secretariat
• Presentations by
• Yelena Finegold, Forestry Officer, FAO
• Bethanie Walder, Executive Director, Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)
• Faith Nyokabi, Environment Officer, Ministry of Environment, Kenya
• Fabiola Zerbini, Forestry Department Director, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil
• Janet Coral Calvo Vargas, Ecosystem Conservation Specialist, Ministry of Environment, Peru
• Q&A session
• Closing by the moderator

 

OUR SPEAKERS

Yelena Finegold

Forestry Officer, National Forest Monitoring (NFM), FAO
Yelena is a Forestry Officer on FAO’s National Forest Monitoring team. She specializes in technical solutions for measuring and reporting forest changes, such as deforestation, forest degradation, and restoration. Yelena develops tools within the SEPAL platform, enabling users to access, process, and analyze satellite imagery for land monitoring applications using open-source cloud computing. She has supported countries in Africa and Asia in quantifying activity estimates for REDD+ reporting. Holding an MSc in Geographic Information Science, Yelena focuses on land use change, geospatial analysis, and remote sensing.

Jamal Annagylyjova

Forest Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration Officer, CBD Secretariat
Jamal holds a Doctorate in Physical Geography from the University of Cologne and has a strong academic foundation in environmental sciences. Her career began with research at the National Institute of Deserts, Flora, and Fauna of Turkmenistan, focusing on sustainable land management, dryland agriculture, and community-based restoration. She later worked on development projects with multilateral and donor agencies in Central Asia and the Caucasus. From 2011 to 2021, she served as Regional Coordinator for Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the UNCCD Secretariat. Currently, she leads forest biodiversity and ecosystem restoration at the CBD Secretariat.

Bethanie Walder

Executive Director, Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)
With over 30 years of experience in environmental conservation, restoration, and education, Bethanie guides SER’s mission to advance the science, practice, and policy of ecological restoration. She serves on numerous global advisory boards and task forces and co-authored key resources such as the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration. Bethanie holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and International Studies from Duke University and an MSc in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana.

Fabiola Zerbini
Director, Forestry Department, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil
Fabiola is a lawyer with a PhD in Political and Environmental Science from PROCAM/USP. Currently serving as the Director of the Forestry Department in Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, she focuses on native vegetation recovery and forest management. With over 20 years of experience, Fabiola has held leadership roles at the World Resources Institute (WRI) Brazil, Tropical Forest Alliance, and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Brazil.

Faith Nyokabi Wambugu

Environment Officer, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Kenya
Faith promotes biodiversity protection and sustainable land management in Kenya. She aligns the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAP) with global frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. She focuses on institutional coherence, stakeholder engagement, and high-level dialogues, representing Kenya in biodiversity discussions and multilateral agreements.

Coral Calvo Vargas

Coral Calvo Vargas, Biologist specializing in the management of biological diversity, wetlands, and natural resources. She holds a master’s degree in Integrated Watershed Management and has experience in coordinating and implementing international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ramsar Convention, assisting in the designation and management of Ramsar sites. Currently, at MINAM, she leads the development of conservation and ecosystem restoration instruments, including spearheading the roadmap process for Target 2 of the KMGBF. She also serves as the Territorial Coordinator for Budget Program 0144, where she advises on resource allocation and public investment for the conservation and restoration of ecosystems and ecosystem services.

Fabio Picinich

Fabio Picinich is an Instructional Designer and Digital Learning Specialist at the FAO elearning Academy. He coordinates diverse learning projects and develops a variety of educational and outreach initiatives, including eLearning courses, MOOCs, and tutored programmes. Fabio also oversees the organization, delivery, and promotion of the FAO elearning Academy's webinar series. He holds a master’s degree in International Business and a master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Politics, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations, all from the University of Padua, Italy.