REFORES Supports the ICF in the Use of High-Quality Genetic Material for Restoring Forest Ecosystems in Honduras

• The training session strengthened the technical capacities of the ICF in seed management, forest nurseries, and restoration practices, promoting more climate-resilient processes and the sustainable recovery of forest ecosystems.

Having high-quality forest seeds, strengthened nurseries, and sound technical criteria is essential for ensuring that forest restoration processes effectively contribute to ecosystem recovery, watershed protection, and the strengthening of climate resilience in local territories.

With this objective, the project Using Nature-based Solutions to Increase Resilience to Extreme Climate Events in the Atlantic Region of Central America — REFORES: Forest Restoration for Climate Resilience conducted an institutional capacity-building session for the Forest Conservation Institute (ICF) of Honduras on May 23 in Tegucigalpa.

The event brought together 15 ICF officials from the National Reforestation Program, the Forest Health and Protection Department, and the Project Coordination Office, with the aim of strengthening key technical capacities for forest resource management and landscape restoration.

The training addressed strategic topics related to strengthening the ICF’s Forest Seed Bank (BANSEFOR), technical management and production in forest nurseries, seed selection, processing and storage, as well as the establishment and management of seed stands.

The session also covered topics related to genetic diversity, forest tree improvement, and the production of species intended for restoration, conservation, and agroforestry systems.

The training was facilitated by Luis Diego Jiménez, Head of CATIE’s Forest Seed Bank, who shared technical knowledge on the importance of strengthening seed production systems and forest nurseries to ensure more effective and climate-resilient restoration processes.

“Having high-quality genetic material is essential to increase the likelihood of success in forest restoration efforts. Seed banks and forest nurseries play a strategic role because they provide access to suitable species that are adapted to local conditions and have greater capacity to respond to climate change,” said Jiménez.

As part of the capacity-building process, participants engaged in technical exchange sessions and field visits to the Forest Seed Bank (BANSEFOR) and the ICF forest nursery, where they reinforced practical knowledge regarding the technical, regulatory, and operational criteria required to ensure the availability of appropriate genetic material for restoring forest cover.

From the ICF, Roberto Eugenio Gutiérrez Yanes, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Follow-up Specialist for the National Reforestation Program, highlighted the importance of this technical strengthening process for improving restoration interventions across the country.

“Sustainable forest restoration requires much more than simply planting trees; it demands comprehensive technical planning that considers the genetic quality of seeds, the conservation of forest resources, efficient nursery production, and the appropriate selection of species according to the ecological conditions of each territory. The knowledge shared during this training significantly strengthens our institutional capacities and will contribute to improving the effectiveness of forest restoration processes and ecosystem resilience,” said Gutiérrez.

For her part, Karla Mejía, REFORES Project Coordinator in Honduras, emphasized the importance of this type of activity in strengthening institutional capacities and advancing forest restoration processes with greater technical quality.

“Strengthening the technical capacities of the ICF is essential to ensure that forest restoration processes in Honduras are supported by high-quality genetic material, solid technical criteria, and a long-term vision. Through REFORES, we seek to contribute to the advancement of restoration as an effective measure for recovering ecosystems, protecting watersheds, and strengthening the climate resilience of local territories,” stated Mejía.

The activity strengthened key institutional capacities needed to advance more effective forest restoration based on sound technical criteria and stronger coordination among stakeholders involved in the management, conservation, and recovery of forest resources in Honduras.

These actions are part of REFORES’ efforts to support the implementation of Honduras’ National Forest Restoration Strategy by promoting restoration as a climate change adaptation measure, a tool for natural resource conservation, and a means of recovering essential ecosystem functions that support community well-being.

About REFORES

The REFORES: Forest Restoration for Climate Resilience project is a regional initiative that strengthens climate resilience along the Atlantic coast of Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras through ecosystem restoration as a climate change adaptation measure. The project is implemented by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), executed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and CATIE, and funded by the Adaptation Fund (AF).