Who Paraforesters Are
Paraforesters are accredited local forestry practitioners who live and work in the communities whose forests they play an active role in managing. They are women, men and young people who receive practical technical training and are formally recognised to undertake a wide range of previously often forbidden field-based forestry activities.
Working within their own landscapes and under appropriate professional oversight where required, Paraforesters help their communities care for forests, reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health and support sustainable forest enterprises.
Depending on national regulations and what qualifications they acquire, Paraforesters may undertake activities such as:
𖠰 Forest inventory and monitoring
𖠰 Biodiversity monitoring
𖠰 Silviculture, including thinning, pruning and harvesting
𖠰 Forest restoration
𖠰 Wildfire prevention and management
𖠰 Pest and disease surveillance
𖠰 Community forest enterprise support
𖠰 Carbon, biodiversity and other environmental monitoring
Together, they form a locally based technical forestry workforce that enables communities to manage forests more actively and effectively.
A New Local Forestry Cadre
Paraforesters represent a new approach to developing the forest workforce, inspired by successful paraprofessional models in other sectors.
Rather than relying solely on external professionals or short-term projects, they establish recognised technical expertise within forest communities themselves—creating skilled local employment while expanding the reach of professional forestry services/expertise.
Like paramedics, paraveterinarians and paralegals, Paraforesters form a locally based paraprofessional workforce that extends essential services where they are needed most.
In doing so, they help communities actively manage forests, meet technical and regulatory requirements, and realise the full benefits of community forest ownership and management.
Meet the Team
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FounderParaforesters is led by Andy Inglis, a globally recognised forestry, climate and community-based natural resource management expert with over 30 years’ experience across more than 40 countries. Andy has worked at senior levels with governments, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Cocoa Foundation, RECOFTC, and international, national and local NGOs, combining high-level policy engagement with hands-on field implementation. He has led major programmes on capacity building, community forestry and nature-based solutions, including pioneering work on active forest management with local communities in Mongolia and across Africa and Asia. As the originator of the Paraforesters concept, Andy brings a rare combination of global policy influence, technical forestry and training expertise, and practical experience in empowering Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to manage forests sustainably and productively.
Contact us
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