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Ibero-American Model Forest Network

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The Ibero-American Model Forest Network (RIABM)[1] is the regional network representing the 29 Model Forests across the Caribbean, Latin America and Spain.

History

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During the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, countries agreed that there was an urgent need to find real, practical and sustainable solutions to the great environmental challenges that our planet faced. At this time, Canada invited the rest of the world to put into practice the Model Forest approach and created the IMFN to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences.

The IMFN provides Model Forests in partner countries access to certain opportunities such as the exchange of experiences and the promotion of good governance. This, in turn, increases regional knowledge and the development of strategic initiatives. In addition, the network strengthens the link between regional and global forest policy initiatives and provides an avenue for international donors to fund conservation projects in each country.

About RIABM

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The Ibero-American Model Forest Network (RIABM) aims to be a regional benchmark for the sustainable management of forest-based landscapes. It promotes cooperation among Model Forests, institutions and member countries based on knowledge exchange and innovative experiences, and contributes to public policies related to the sustainable management of natural resources.[2]

It is the first voluntary regional organization to be created that brings together 15 countries and 29 Model Forests in Central and South America, the Caribbean and Spain to share knowledge and experiences. The RIABM promotes the sustainable management of forest-based landscapes and connects Model Forests of member countries.

Strategic objectives

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The strategic objectives of the RIABM are:

  1. To consolidate the Model Forest, promote regional Model Forest network expansion and facilitate horizontal collaboration among sites.
  2. To strengthen the RIABM’s capacity to provide support to its members and to achieve its financial sustainability.
  3. To share knowledge and transfer technology through technical horizontal collaboration, dissemination of information on best practices and other relates activities.
  4. To contribute to sectoral and multisectoral processes of public policies formulation, implementation and evaluation related with the sustainable management of forest-based landscapes.

Governance Platforms

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Model Forests are in essence governance platforms. They function as territorial management systems that are inclusive to all stakeholders in a community. Each Model Forest has the liberty to define how it will function, as long as it adheres to the Principles and Attributes agreed to by all Model Forests;[3]

Principle 1. Broad-base Partnership

Principle 2. Large Landscape

Principle 3. Commitment to Sustainability

Principle 4. Participatory Governance

Principle 5. A Broad Program of Activities

Principle 6. Commitment to Knowledge Sharing, Capacity Building and Networking

Their multilateral approach to governance distinguishes Model Forests from both top-down and bottom-up approaches. The desire to remain neutral and independent has allowed Model Forests to connect with all stakeholders. One of the rising trends within this model is their focus on forging alliances at multiple levels. Currently, there are 6 regional Model Forest network around the globe, all of which are members of the International Model Forest Network. Each of these regional networks facilitates the communication between local groups with members across the region and even across the globe. By hosting board meetings, capacity development workshops and overseeing project interventions, these networks are facilitating the development of cohesive and sustainable development projects.[4]

Members

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Model Forests

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Country Model Forest Year of Affiliation Area (hectares) Population
Argentina Formoseño 2000 800,000 27,400
Argentina Futaleutu 1998 738,000 33,000
Argentina Jujuy 2002 130,000 100,000
Argentina Norte de Neuquen 2005 2,482,000 17,329
Argentina San Pedro 2007 443,514 966,000
Argentina Tucuman 2008 180,000 1,336,664
Bolivia Chiquitano 2005 20,400,000 130,000
Brazil Mata Atlantica 2004 2,250,320 68,208
Brazil Pandeiros 2005 210,000 34,811
Chile Araucarias del Alto Malleco 2002 391,400 10,237
Chile Chiloe 1996 300,000 33,000
Chile Panguipulli 2005 329,200 33,273
Chile Cachapoal 2008 105,000 53,386
Colombia Risaralda 2008 360,000 883,673
Costa Rica Reventacion 2003 300,000 432,395
Costa Rica Chorotega 2011 512,510 156,326
Cuba Sabanas de Mancaca 2008 171,700 81,620
Dominican Republic Sabana Yegua 2003 166,000 77,000
Dominican Republic Yeque del Norte 2007 83,000 908,250
Dominican Republic Colinas Bajas 2010 909,200 142,624
Ecuador NA. NA. NA. NA.
Guatemala Lachua 2008 53,523 18,277
Guatemala Los Altos 2008 50,000 252,620
Honduras Atlantida 2006 440,000 315,041
Honduras Yoro 2007 321,219 132,679
Paraguay In Progress 2008 NA. NA.
Peru In Progress 2011 NA. NA.
Puerto Rico Tierras Adjuntas 2007 14,400 44,633
Spain Urbion 2006 120,000 81,620
Total 29 - 32,260,986 6,286,882

Partners

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RIABM relies on the collaboration of internationally recognized organizations such as the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Cuso International, the Network partners with countries that support the Model Forest approach to sustainable development.[2]

The RIABM is one of the six regional networks of the International Model Forest Network (IMFN) along with the Mediterranean Model Forest Network, the African Model Forest Network, the Regional Model Forest Network - Asia, the Baltic Landscape Initiative (Sweden, Russia and Northern European countries) and the Canadian Model Forest Network.[5] Since the founding of the RIABM in 2002, it has evolved to become one of the largest and most dynamic regional networks within the IMFN. The IMFN is a global community of practice that links over 60 Model Forests in 30 countries across five continents around the world.

References

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  1. ^ "Home page". RIABM Website. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b "About Us". About Us. Archived from the original on 2014-07-17. Retrieved 2014-06-30.
  3. ^ "Principles and Attributes". The ibero-American Model Forest Network. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  4. ^ Pires, Eric (July 2, 2014). "Model Forests; Much More Than Forestry". Innovate Development. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  5. ^ "The International Model Forest Network". IMFN Maps and Stats. Retrieved 3 July 2014.