CATIE Highlights the Importance of Sustainable Forest Management in Colombia for Development and Peace

• The institution participated in a virtual discussion aimed at discussing the progress, challenges, and perspectives of forest extension in the Colombian context.

On July 11, 2024, the virtual discussion "Forest Extension in Colombia" took place, organized by the Latin American Network for Rural Extension (RELASER). The event featured the participation of Roger Villalobos, researcher of CATIE's Climate Action Unit and chairman of the board of the Latin American Network of Model Forests.

The virtual event aimed to discuss the progress, challenges, and perspectives of forest extension in the Colombian context. Other participants included María Teresa Yepes and Luz Stella Pulido from Minambiente, Raúl Jaime Hernández from the National Federation of Coffee Growers, and Fernando García from Cenicaucho.

During his presentation, Villalobos provided a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and possible formats of forest extension and technical assistance in Latin America, based on CATIE's extensive experience in the region. "From the processes we have known or supported, and the ongoing exchange of forest management experiences offered by the Latin American Network of Model Forests, we have identified the main areas for improvement and opportunities for sustainable forest management," Villalobos noted.

CATIE has established itself as a reference in research on sustainable forest management, covering areas such as ecology, silviculture, economics, forest policy and governance, and forest culture. "The great challenge in Latin America is to incorporate forests as productive spaces in local economies, in people's livelihoods, and in development approaches to stop the deforestation that still prevails in the region," he highlighted.

Villalobos also emphasized the importance of international collaboration and the integration of forests as productive systems within Colombia's peace processes. "We have had the opportunity to participate in some of the processes underway in Colombia to promote forest management as part of the country's peace processes, and we are very pleased to collaborate with this great goal of reconciling forest conservation and good management with human development and peacebuilding," he stated.

Sustainable Management and Conservation of Forests

The discussion addressed the need to create favorable conditions in the Colombian state to make a Public Forest Extension Service (SPEF) viable and operational. This includes consolidating a political and institutional framework that supports sustainable management and forest conservation, taking advantage of the learning and knowledge opportunities of rural extension.

Event participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the National Federation of Coffee Growers, and Cenicaucho, shared their experiences and reflections on forest extension. Discussions revolved around how to implement forest extension exercises for natural forests in Colombia, articulation with agricultural extension, and the role of the extensionist in providing comprehensive rural extension services.

The day concluded with the reaffirmation of the commitment of all involved actors to promote sustainable forest management that contributes to human development and peace in Colombia.