The 31st Annual Conference of the Yale Chapter of the International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF) is taking place from January 31 - February 1, 2025
This year’s conference, titled Governing Resilient Tropical Forest Systems, will explore critical issues surrounding the governance of tropical forests, which play a vital role in global climate regulation, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions. The conference will delve into key topics such as the integration of scientific research and traditional ecological knowledge, the impact of land tenure and Indigenous management, the effectiveness of economic incentives, and successful models of stakeholder collaboration across different geographic scales.
Learn about the agenda
We are thrilled to welcome an amazing set of speakers from different disciplines spanning academia, government, and civil society, some of whom are listed below.
Keynote speakers:
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF)
Santiago Gowland, CEO of the Rainforest Alliance
Rhett Butler, Founder of Mongabay
Panel 1 - Nature-Based Solutions: Forests for the Future & Holistic Pathways to Thriving Ecosystems
Elsa Ordway, Assistant Professor, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
David Ganz, Yale School of Environment Class of ’96, Executive Director, NGO Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC)
Panel 2 - Ground Up Forest Governance in a Changing Climate: Perspectives from Indigenous and Local Communities
Jose Domingo, Mam Mayan indigenous leader, Guatemalan municipal government
Diego Pons, PhD in Physical Geography, Research Associate Scientist, University of Denver
Bola Madzoke, World Conservation Society (WCS) Congo
Dominique Bikaba, Founder of Strong Roots Congo
Panel 3 - Tropical Forest Finance: Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Tropical Forest Conservation and Restoration
Syahrina Anggraini, Country Lead, Indonesia, Governors Climate & Forests Task Force
Francisco Souza, Senior Vice President Global Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Center, Conservation International
More details on our other speakers will be shared soon!
10 DAYS LEFT
Calling all innovators, researchers, and photographers passionate about tropical forests!
Here’s your chance to showcase your work and compete for awards at Yale!
Innovation Prize:
Do you work with community-based forest management projects in the tropics?
We are looking for innovative projects that promote stakeholder engagement, integrate traditional ecological knowledge, and empower local communities in the global tropics.
Present your initiative and win a cash award (historically 1,000-3,000)! Showcase your creativity in tropical forestry at Yale! Due by November 22, 2024. Apply now!