The World’s Best Forest Guardians: Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples and local communities have an unsurpassed connection to the Earth's forests.
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Indigenous people have lived from the forest since time immemorial, using its resources sparingly and carefully so that it might continue to produce its riches. What the Rainforest Alliance brings to this age-old model are the tools and support to make it economically viable in today’s world. We connect local and indigenous communities with markets, provide technical and business support, and work to improve human well-being—all while conserving the forest.
This page features information about the Rainforest Alliance's work to promote community forestry and links to all our related content and resources.
Working with forest communities, governments, companies, and civil society organizations, we promote more sustainable forest management practices throughout the tropics. We provide training, tools, and knowledge to communities; promote youth inclusion and gender equality; work to increase forest cover, biodiversity, and carbon capture; promote secured rights to forests; and provide access to alliances, finance, and markets, so that forest communities—and forests—may thrive.
Quick Links
Integrated Community Forest Management Position Paper
This paper outlines our principles and strategies for stopping forest degradation and supporting forest communities in vulnerable tropical regions.
KLEINHANS FELLOWSHIP FOR COMMUNITY FORESTRY RESEARCH
Our Kleinhans Fellowship supports research that seeks solutions to the challenges faced by the community forestry model.
HOW OUR FOREST ALLIES WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THRIVING RURAL COMMUNITIES
Our Forest Allies initiative leverages the enormous power of our partnerships to support forest communities as they address the climate crisis and combat deforestation.
Eight Lessons from Supporting Community Forest Management and Enterprises
This paper summarizes our lessons learnt from twenty years of global experience in community forestry.
Our Work: Community forestry
Community: The Secret to Stopping Deforestation in Guatemala
The forest concessions of the Maya Biosphere Reserve have boasted a near-zero deforestation rate for 20 years.
Project Profile: Stopping deforestation and improving livelihoods with community forestry in the Congo Basin
Sitting in the heart of the Congo Basin, the 36,000 square kilometer Salonga National Park (SNP) is the largest protected area of dense rainforest on the African continent.
The Rainforest Alliance's Work in Mexico
We are working to grow Mexico’s domestic market for sustainably produced products.
All resources for Community forestry
2024 Annual Report: The Future Can’t Wait
Leap into our 2024 Annual Report to see the advances we’ve made toward a brighter future.
In Cameroon, Forests and Communities Need Each Other
The iconic tropical forests of Cameroon’s Western Highlands and South Region are disappearing. To combat this, we set our sights on three interconnected solutions: community-led landscape management, sustainable agriculture and local business, and strengthened rights for women and youth.... Continue Reading
2023 Annual Report | Destination: Regeneration
Dive into our 2023 Annual Report to learn about the strides we’ve made toward a regenerative future.
The Power of Forest Restoration in Ghana’s Sui River Landscape
In Ghana's Sui River region, we empower local communities to combat deforestation and climate change through regenerative agriculture, forest restoration, and sustainable economic practices. ... Continue Reading
A Reason to Stay: Strategies to Combat Out-Migration of Youth in Rural Mexico’s Sustainable Forest Communities
Sustainable management is a critical tool for protecting global forests and improving local livelihoods. However, in many rural communities, such as those in Calakmul, Mexico, a dearth of employment opportunities often leads youth to seek work in other areas. Such out-migration leaves rural regions without the leadership, innovation, education, and ambition of their best and […]