The Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) has on-site projects in some of the most biologically diverse terrestrial regions on earth. They provide habitats to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, many of which are cited in the IUCN Red Book. TFF’s projects have provided partners such as the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the USDA Forest Service opportunities to conduct research on Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) and its effects on wildlife. Research has demonstrated that inadequate and/or improper forest management practices threaten the long-term viability of these forests, which significantly reduces their economic potential and results in negative social and environmental impacts.

Most recently, TFF has partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), to conduct research and environmental education in the Congo Basin. Through a partnership with the Congolese government, WCS is aiding in the management of three protected areas of tropical forests, ensuring that these zones are effectively managed and are working towards sustainable use of the region’s natural resources. TFF’s on-site project in Gabon has been integrated into WCS’s work by providing RIL training to local companies, strongly influencing WCS’s ability to implement wildlife conservation. By incorporating WCS’s established methodologies and experience in wildlife management in and around logging concessions, TFF’s Gabon project has laid a solid framework for wildlife management integration to occur and new wildlife research to be successfully carried out.

Through implementation of sustainable forest management practices in Guyana, Brazil, Indonesia and, most recently, the Congo Basin, TFF and TFF’s partners have reduced soil and canopy damage, unnecessary damage of crop trees and catastrophic fires. All of these contributions have served to protect the diverse assemblage of animals and plants that flourishes within these forests and contributes to the livelihood of indigenous people.

The Cost of Carbon Retention by Reduced Impact Logging

John R. Healey, Colin Price and John Tay

Progress Towards RIL Adoption in Brazil and Bolivia: Driving Forces and Implementation Successes
Geoffrey M. Blate, Francis E. Putz and Johan C. Zweede