TFD Review: Forests and Biodiversity Conservation

From October 9 to October 11, 2003, thirty participants met in Santa Cruz
de Cabrália, Brazil to discuss issues related to forestry and biodiversity conversation.
This meeting was convened by The Forests Dialogue (TFD), an
on-going international, multi-stakeholder dialogue process focused on forest
related issues. The meeting participants represented environmental groups
and the forest products industry, as well as representatives from landowner
groups and academia.

The purpose of the meeting was to provide a forum for the exchange of
information and ideas on the key factors needed to achieve successful biodiversity
conservation and business outcomes in forest regions worldwide.
The dialogue began with a field tour illustrating the integration of forest conservation
projects and intensive plantation forestry in the Atlantic Forest
region of Brazil. The group later reviewed selected case studies of
successful forest and biodiversity conservation projects from around the
world. The group then examined the obstacles that prevent wider
acceptance and implementation of forest management and land use
choices that benefit business and biodiversity. The dialogue concluded with
several recommended actions for follow-up activities, with the goal of
replicating successful models in future projects.