Forestry Training Centre

Background

On May 7, 2002 the Government of Guyana signed an agreement with the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) along with Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF), Forest Producers Association (FPA) for training in reduced impact logging in Guyana, thus spawned the organization Forestry Training Centre (FTC).

Objectives/Points of the Project

	Two year project to establish training programme and curriculum, develop training sites, procure equipment and facilities, recruit and train staff and deliver training to approximately 120 (one hundred and twenty) persons so as to reduce impact logging in Guyana.
	Joint implementation by GFC & TFF
	Project implementation reviewed annually by a steering committee comprising ITTO, GFC, TFF, FPA, Iwokrama, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ministry of Education.
	Technical inputs by advisory committee comprising GFC, TFF, FPA, EPA, Iwokrama, University of Guyana (UG), Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).
	Contributions to FTC are done either financially or kind.

The duration of the project from May 5, 2002 to May 1, 2004, unless either terminated earlier in accordance with provisions contained in the project document, or unless extended by written mutual consent of the parties.

A second phase of the project has been approved and this will run from 2006 to 2008.

Project Abstract

The project will contribute to the improvement of Forest Management in Guyana through the adoption of Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) practices, resulting in a more competitive sector sector and enhanced livelihoods for forest operators and communities. The project's specific objective is to establish local capability to deliver training of forestry practitioners (managers, supervisors and workforce) in RIL.

The project will be coordinated by the GFC and implemented by the TFF building on the experience of the RIL training course in Brazil, and a RIL model developed by Tropenbos-Guyana Programme (TGP). Delivery of training will be approached through separate modules for managerial/supervisory staff and for forest workers. Trainers to be employed by the project will be training by specialized training experts.

The project's major outputs will be:

	RIL training programme designed that addresses identified stakeholder needs.
	Site specific RIL models developed as a demonstration of RIL good practice.
	A training facility established with accompanying training materials and equipment, which will function as a running forest operation proving on-site, hands-on, real-world experience with RIL techniques and issues.
	A cadre of a dozen trained trainers covering all aspects of RIL from pre-harvest, through post-harvest activities.
	10 training courses organized and delivered.
	120 participants trained; 20 managerial and supervisory staff, 20 inventory staff and tree markers, 20 chainsaw operators, 20 skidder operators, 15 forest rangers and persons from other government agencies, 25 students and persons from Amerindian communities and NGOs.
	A business and marketing plan prepared and funding for non-core activities secured to secure long term sustainability of facility.
	Local Project Director trained to take over the training programme.

The Parties

The Government of Guyana has agreed to facilitate the implementation of the project within its its territory and has transferred the responsibility for management of the project to GFC.

The Guyana Forestry Commission (hereafter referred to as "GFC") is the Government Agency with responsibility for the management of Guyana's forest and is the Executing Agency for the project.

The Forest Products Association (hereafter referred to as "FPA") represents the Forest Industry in Guyana; its members and their personnel are the final beneficiaries of the project.

The Tropical Forest Foundation (hereafter referred to as "TFF") is a renowed non-profit organisation based in Virginia, USA, with wide experience in RIL training and strong links within global logging and wood processing industries. TFF will have responsibility for all field activities and will report to GFC and ITTO.

Extracted from Memorandum of Understanding between GFC & TFF & FPA on Implementation of ITO Project "Training in Reduced Impact Logging in Guyana".

[ Home ] [ Up ] [Email Logon]

This page requires the use of Macromedia Flash Plug-in v7.0 for effects/graphics and Adobe Acrobat Reader to view documents. Click the icons to the download the software. This site is best viewed with 800 x 600 or higher resolution.