Forest Zoning and Land Use Planning
Forest Zoning and Land Use Planning
Land use planning and zoning processes are critical for ensuring strategic land and resource management. The U.S. Forest Service is promoting sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable economic development by working with governments and local communities to create land use and protected area plans that address livelihood needs as well as protect and preserve natural resources.
Our work
The U.S. Forest Service works at the national level to support government institutions to facilitate and establish zoning and planning processes as well as at the community level to develop and implement scalable participatory land use planning processes to inform national and regional efforts.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Since 2008, the U.S. Forest Service has worked closely with the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Department of Forest Inventory and Zoning (DIAF) to develop national processes to facilitate forest macro and micro-zoning. Zoning is the process of dividing land areas to be used for different purposes. Forest macro-zoning first identifies forest and non-forest areas and then designates three forest zones–forests for permanent production (logging concessions and extractive zones), classified forests (protected areas), and protected forests (community forests and other forest uses). Micro-zoning focuses on smaller areas of land, drawing zones within forest and non-forest areas for different uses such as hunting, conservation, and small-scale agricultural.
At the national level, the U.S. Forest Service was involved in the founding of the National Steering Committee for Forest Zoning (CNPZ), launched in 2008 and established in 2009. Working closely with the diverse members of the committee, including 13 different ministries, USFS has helped the CNPZ produce operational guides about the forest zoning processes, most notably a macro-zoning guide published in 2011 and a micro-zoning guide published in 2014. Trainings were then held at the national, provincial, and local levels in order to ensure the successful adoption of these guides.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Since 2008, the U.S. Forest Service has worked closely with the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Department of Forest Inventory and Zoning (DIAF) to develop national processes to facilitate forest macro and micro-zoning. Zoning is the process of dividing land areas to be used for different purposes. Forest macro-zoning first identifies forest and non-forest areas and then designates three forest zones–forests for permanent production (logging concessions and extractive zones), classified forests (protected areas), and protected forests (community forests and other forest uses). Micro-zoning focuses on smaller areas of land, drawing zones within forest and non-forest areas for different uses such as hunting, conservation, and small-scale agricultural.
At the national level, the U.S. Forest Service was involved in the founding of the National Steering Committee for Forest Zoning (CNPZ), launched in 2008 and established in 2009. Working closely with the diverse members of the committee, including 13 different ministries, USFS has helped the CNPZ produce operational guides about the forest zoning processes, most notably a macro-zoning guide published in 2011 and a micro-zoning guide published in 2014. Trainings were then held at the national, provincial, and local levels in order to ensure the successful adoption of these guides.
MARINGA-LOPORI-WAMBA & LAC TÉLÉ-LAC TUMBA CARPE LANDSCAPES
At the local level the U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with the Africa Wildlife Foundation, trained field teams in the Maringa-Lopori-Wamba landscape to promote micro-zoning for more sustainable natural resource use. In the Lac Télé-Lac Tumba landscape, the U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, local communities, and other local partners, has facilitated a land use planning process for improved fire management.
Drawing on lessons learned from the implementation of USAID’s Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment, the U.S. Forest Service and Wildlife Conservation Society have also developed a practical guide outlining best practices for engaging communities and other relevant local stakeholders in micro-zoning and land use management planning processes. This practical guide aims to provide actionable guidance for implementation in the field.
Gabon
During CARPE II, which launched in 2003, the U.S. Forest Service worked with the government of Gabon to develop a national land use plan to better coordinate activities such as logging, mining, and agriculture, as well as to further develop and implement the Low Emissions Development Strategy laid out in Gabon’s national Climate Change Plan. Program activities included U.S. and Gabonese forestry experts conducting a nation-wide carbon and natural resources assessment to better understand the impacts of economic development to inform land use planning. Using this information, an integrated national land use plan was developed with the aim to promote sustainable land use management alongside sustainable development.
In 2010, Gabon’s National Protected Area Agency (ANPN) requested the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Forest Service’s assistance in establishing a “management planning taskforce” to support the development of five-year national park management plans. In collaboration with a number of different partners, plans were created for thirteen national parks with the aim to promote more effective conservation and management of these protected areas. The U.S. Forest Service continues to support the National Protected Area Agency to facilitate implementation of some of these national park management plans through strengthening ecotourism infrastructure.
Gabon
During CARPE II, which launched in 2003, the U.S. Forest Service worked with the government of Gabon to develop a national land use plan to better coordinate activities such as logging, mining, and agriculture, as well as to further develop and implement the Low Emissions Development Strategy laid out in Gabon’s national Climate Change Plan. Program activities included U.S. and Gabonese forestry experts conducting a nation-wide carbon and natural resources assessment to better understand the impacts of economic development to inform land use planning. Using this information, an integrated national land use plan was developed with the aim to promote sustainable land use management alongside sustainable development.
In 2010, Gabon’s National Protected Area Agency (ANPN) requested the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Forest Service’s assistance in establishing a “management planning taskforce” to support the development of five-year national park management plans. In collaboration with a number of different partners, plans were created for thirteen national parks with the aim to promote more effective conservation and management of these protected areas. The U.S. Forest Service continues to support the National Protected Area Agency to facilitate implementation of some of these national park management plans through strengthening ecotourism infrastructure.
Republic of the Congo
BATÉKÉ PLATEAU
In the areas surrounding the Léfini and Lésio Louna Reserves on the Batéké Plateau, the U.S. Forest Service has been working with a group of community representatives, protected area managers, technical partners, and ministry officials to develop participatory fire management plans. Developing a comprehensive fire management plan requires identifying how land is being used, how different interest groups would like to use the land, and how fire can be used to achieve land use management objectives. The U.S. Forest Service aims to use this experience to inform the adoption of fire management planning at the national level, eventually integrating the approach into national forest policy guidelines.
As part of a larger effort to strengthen the capacity of the Republic of the Congo’s National Protected Areas Agency (ACFAP), the U.S. Forest Service is also using ongoing work in the Léfini Reserve as an opportunity to train Agency staff about how to involve communities in the planning processes.
Republic of the Congo
BATÉKÉ PLATEAU
In the areas surrounding the Léfini and Lésio Louna Reserves on the Batéké Plateau, the U.S. Forest Service has been working with a group of community representatives, protected area managers, technical partners, and ministry officials to develop participatory fire management plans. Developing a comprehensive fire management plan requires identifying how land is being used, how different interest groups would like to use the land, and how fire can be used to achieve land use management objectives. The U.S. Forest Service aims to use this experience to inform the adoption of fire management planning at the national level, eventually integrating the approach into national forest policy guidelines.
As part of a larger effort to strengthen the capacity of the Republic of the Congo’s National Protected Areas Agency (ACFAP), the U.S. Forest Service is also using ongoing work in the Léfini Reserve as an opportunity to train Agency staff about how to involve communities in the planning processes.
Regional
In partnership with the Central Africa Forest Commission (COMIFAC) and national governments, a series of Central Africa regional guides on planning for sustainable resource management were developed and validated. Published in 2015, these guides focus on planning for community-based natural resource management, extractive resource zone management, integrated landscape land use, and protected area management.
Working with the Central Africa Network of Forest and Environment Training Institutions (RIFFEAC), the regional entity responsible for supporting higher education related to forestry and the environment, the U.S. Forest Service is currently assisting in the development of university curricula modules. Four natural resource management academic modules based on the natural resource management planning guides have already been validated and another focused on human rights in protected area management is currently being designed. USFS will assist RIFFEAC in integrating these modules into forestry institutions’ curricula in several COMIFAC countries to further promote sustainable land and forest management.
Regional
In partnership with the Central Africa Forest Commission (COMIFAC) and national governments, a series of Central Africa regional guides on planning for sustainable resource management were developed and validated. Published in 2015, these guides focus on planning for community-based natural resource management, extractive resource zone management, integrated landscape land use, and protected area management.
Working with the Central Africa Network of Forest and Environment Training Institutions (RIFFEAC), the regional entity responsible for supporting higher education related to forestry and the environment, the U.S. Forest Service is currently assisting in the development of university curricula modules. Four natural resource management academic modules based on the natural resource management planning guides have already been validated and another focused on human rights in protected area management is currently being designed. USFS will assist RIFFEAC in integrating these modules into forestry institutions’ curricula in several COMIFAC countries to further promote sustainable land and forest management.
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