IUCN - The World Conversation Union

Forest conservation approaches, like everything else, need to adapt and change with the prevailing social and economic realities of our world on local, national and global levels. Gone are the days when IUCN only focused on protected areas. 80% of our planet’s earth lies outside the protection of these areas and consists of multi layered landscapes that are home to not only forests, but also to people, agricultural and industry amongst others, making them very ‘productive’. Forests have a value for all these groups, locally and globally and problems arise when the balance for each group is tipped. It is vital that forest conservation understands the multiple perspectives and competing demands on all levels and that certain trade offs will have to be made.

It is in these areas that the knowledge and expertise of the IUCN Forest Conservation Programme is at its strongest. Working together with communities, government agencies, NGOS and businesses, the Forest Conservation Programme supports the formation of locally driven and sustainable outcomes that will improve forest management and build on public concern for protecting, managing and restoring forests to deliver real benefits for people and biodiversity. This approach enables the Forest Conservation Programme to tackle the root causes of the world’s most pressing issues, including poverty, biodiversity lose and climate change. The result is that optimal scenarios for improving livelihoods and reversing land degradation can be defined and incorporated into national laws and policies.
 

• Ecological integrity: Maintaining the diversity and quality of ecosystems, and enhancing their capacity to adapt to change and provide for the needs of future generations.
• Human well-being: Ensuring that all people have a role in shaping decisions that affect their ability to meet their needs, safeguard their livelihoods and realize their full potential.
• Landscape approach: Engaging key stakeholders to balance land management decisions at a scale that optimizes delivery of essential forest goods and services.