Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) have long played vital roles in forest stewardship, shaping biodiversity conservation, cultural identity, and ecosystem resilience. Yet globally, shifting socio-political, economic, demographic, and ecological contexts are weakening these ties. This session explores how to meaningfully reconnect communities with forests through inclusive, adaptive, and forward-looking governance.
Drawing on diverse experiences in participatory forestry and landscape management, the session examines how governance transitions, rural outmigration, reduced forest dependency, and shifting markets are reshaping community-forest relations. We will discuss legal innovations, digital tools, recognition mechanisms, and territorial approaches that offer new pathways forward.
We invite papers that analyze:
Governance transitions and representation of IPLCs in forest and biodiversity governance.
Social and demographic change and its effects on collective forest action.
Recognizing and scaling IPLC stewardship through OECMs and other legal-policy tools.
Reconnecting fragmented forests and communities via adaptive governance and co-management.
Rethinking community forestry models for long-term sustainability.