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Endangered Species and Nature Conservation

Task Force Coordinator:

Robert Szaro, United States

Terms of Reference

The purpose, of the Task Force on Endangered Species and Nature Conservation is to increase the understanding of the role of conservation efforts in responding to listed species and the development of a set of recommended best management practices. Within this context, it is proposed that the Task Force will: 

  • Prepare a State-of-Knowledge report.

    The report will address:
    • Context and opportunities for addressing Endangered Species and Nature Conservation with respect to forest management, conservation, and restoration [the central question being addressed by the Task Force].
    • Development of good practices for both responding to species already listed and for preventing potentially at-risk species from being listed in the first place. This will include case studies of both how this has been done successfully, or how and why attempts have failed;
  • Organize regional meetings and workshops to explore the above topics and to encourage/facilitate improved dialogue and information exchange among and between forest scientists and managers/policy-makers on Endangered Species and Nature Conservation;

  • Promote contacts and collaboration between IUFRO and other organizations on scientific, technical, cultural and spiritual issues related to Endangered Species and Nature Conservation.

  • Prepare publications and other information products for use by the President and Board, as well as the scientific community, managers, policy-makers, and relevant local, national and international organizations.

  • Liaise with IUFRO’s Special Programme for Developing Countries in development of Task Force meetings and of training programs, data sharing, technology transfer and the enhancement of research capability in the developing countries in relation to the focal topics of the Task Force. In particular, increased participation of scientists from Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific Islands will be sought.

  • Report to the IUFRO Management Committee and Board twice a year until 2010.

  • Propose to the IUFRO Board follow-up activities that may be taken up by existing or new IUFRO units within the Divisional Structure or through IUFRO Special Projects and Programmes.

Task Force Membership, Organization & Leadership

The Task Force will consist of a core group that will include a balanced representation of forest scientists from different regions of the world. The Task Force will seek contributions from a larger network of contributing members representing both the forest science and ecological community and organizations that represent environmental commercial and governmental interests.

Task Force members and network members/organizations  will be invited to contribute to the State-of-Knowledge report,  jointly organize and participate in regional meetings, to provide reviews of material prepared on behalf of the Task Force and, on occasion, to represent the Task Force at meetings. In developing both the core group and group of contributing members, emphasis will be placed on broad representation of scientific streams of forest knowledge, as well as geographic, cultural, and gender diversity.


Publications and References

Conference on "Adaptation of Forests and Forest Management to Climate Change with Emphasis on Forest Health – Review of Science, Policies, and Practices";
25-28 August 2008; Umea, Sweden
Session Summaries
- Book of Abstracts


Send comments to Robert Szaro (Task Force Coordinator)