The Forest Trust Model

The Southwest Community Forestry Research Center, a program of the Forest Trust, is dedicated to participatory research with rural people in forested communities, and is one of four regional centers of the National Community Forestry Center. A Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of the programs, budgets, partnerships, and operations of the Southwest Regional Center.

Programs (60%)

1. Research of the Center, including participatory research in 4 to 6 rural communities on topics selected by the communities, and in house research on topics selected by the Center's Bioregional Advisory Council (BAC).
2. Develops and operates the Center's technical assistance program, in partnership with the National Network of Forest Practitioners (NNFP).
3. Organizes and conducts training sessions and workshops that utilize the results of the Center's research and address needs identified by the Center's constituents.
4. Produces and disseminates the Center's publications and website materials for various audiences, including communities and academics, through newsletters, research reports, and peer-reviewed articles in professional journals.
5. Maintains a resource library for the Center.

   Partnerships (35%)

6. Coordinates and supports the activities of the Bioregional Advisory Council, including meeting planning, work planning, recruitment, and communication.
7. Engages researchers in the Center's participatory research efforts, building partnerships and leveraging resources whenever possible.
8. Involves community members from rural, forested regions of the Southwest in all aspects of the Center's activities and programs.
9. Engages technical assistance providers from the Southwest and other regions to support the programs of the Center.

   Management (15%)

10. Coordinates activities with the National Community Forestry Center and other regional centers, participating in conference calls and meetings, and attending meetings of the Center Executive Committee and National Advisory Council.
11. Develops an annual work plan, provide tri-annual reports of accomplishments, and assure that all deliverables named in the project proposal are completed in a timely manner.
12. Manages the Center's annual budget and provides monthly financial reports.
13. Oversees internal and third party evaluations of the Center's activities. Coordinate with the National Center to develop an evaluation protocol.
14. Supervises 1-3 research associates and work collaboratively with Forest Trust program coordinators and support staff.
15. Conducts fund raising including writing proposals and reports to foundations and USDA.

    See www.theforesttrust.org for more information about the Forest Trust. Address: The Director, Forest Trust, P.O. Box 519, Santa Fe, NM 87504.

    Ideas
    The Community Development Foundation (CDF) in England strengthens communities by ensuring the effective participation of people in determining the conditions which affect their lives. A leading authority on community development and associated issues in the UK and mainland Europe, CDF works through:

    • local action projects;
    • development of best practice;
    • research, evaluation and policy analysis;
    • consultancies and training programs;
    • conferences and seminars;
    • information and publications.
    
    

    Perhaps you will share ideas with me about some of the topic(s) above at RHGiles@RuralSystem.com.

    Maybe we can work together ... for the good of us all ... for a long time. Return to the top of page.