A New Cadre of Forest Stewards
Paraforesters represent a new approach to building active forest management capacity.
Rather than solely relying on outside experts or short-term projects, Paraforesters focus on building long-term technical capacity within forest communities themselves.
This approach draws inspiration from successful models in other fields, such as paravets and paralegals, where locally rooted para-professionals expand access to essential services in places where formal systems cannot reach.
In the same way, Paraforesters help ensure that communities have the skills, tools, and support needed to meet forest management regulations effectively over the long term.
Who Paraforesters Are
Paraforesters are locally trained personnel (women, men and youth) who manage and protect their communities’ forests while complementing and assisting the work of external professional foresters.
Across the world, Indigenous Peoples and local communities have legal rights pertaining to vast forest landscapes. These forests are critical for biodiversity, climate stability, and local livelihoods. Yet many of these communities are blocked by regulations from carrying out basic forest management activities.
Paraforesters help fill this implementation gap.
They are community members who receive accredited, practical training in areas such as:
𖠰 Forest monitoring
𖠰 Biodiversity monitoring
𖠰 Thinning
𖠰 Fire mitigation and management
𖠰 Pests mitigation and management
With practical technical skills, Paraforesters help their communities manage and use their forests.
Contact us
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