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A high priority for TFF is to encourage the major international timber companies to support and
incorporate TFF Sustainable Forest Management/ Reduced-impact Logging principles and practices.
TFF has appointed international forestry expert Art Klassen as Project Director of its new regional program based in Indonesia.
Indonesia's rich and diverse forest is the largest remaining natural forest in Southeast Asia. The country has about 10 percent of the world's remaining tropical rainforest and is the world's largest producer and exporter of tropical wood products. For a number of economic, environmental, and policy reasons, the timing is excellent to try to focus attention on the benefits of reduced-impact-logging (RIL) methods.
The Indonesia program began in January 2000. It builds on the expertise and methods developed
in the Brazil program, but will evolve in the context of the many Indonesian industry, research,
and policy organizations already grappling with sustainable forestry issues. TFF's approach -
focusing on training, demonstration sites, and information dissemination - will be an important
contribution at this time and has strong support from other organizations.The Project Director will be employed 70 percent by TFF and 30 percent by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). The Association of Indonesian Forest Concession Holders (APHI) is providing office facilities as well as in-kind help (in the form of facilities, equipment, personnel, etc.) to conduct the training programs. The Indonesia program is supported by several U.S. agencies, including the Agency for International Development, the Forest Service (International Forestry), and the State Department.
Art Klassen is a forester with experience in policy, operations research, training, forest engineering, and community forestry, among other things. He has worked in a wide range of countries, including Tanzania, Iran, Guyana, Bhutan, and Indonesia. According to Klassen, there is "growing interest in RIL strategies" in Indonesia, and it is an opportune time for TFF to begin working there. For more information visit TFF Indonesia website.