Canada Supports Global Efforts to Manage and Restore Forests

On September 26, 2025, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced an investment of over $1.44 million in funding for 10 projects under Natural Resources Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program, delivered through the International Model Forest Network.

The projects announced today include:

Project name: Mediterranean Model Forest Network – Ifrane
Recipient: Association Forêt Modèle Ifrane
Location: Ifrane, Morocco
Funding amount: $150,000
Description: The proponent will rehabilitate and adapt traditional practices to preserve the natural resources of Morocco’s Ifrane Model Forest and restore degraded forest ecosystems.

Project name: African Model Forest Network – FOMOD
Recipient: Association Forêt Modêle de Dja et Mpomo
Location: Lomie, Cameroon
Funding amount: $100,000
Description: The project will improve food security, access to medicinal resources and resilience to climate change; support agroforestry and tree planting; and conserve biodiversity in the Dja et Mpomo Model Forest region of Cameroon.

Project name: Regional Model Forest Network Asia – KUFF
Recipient: Kasetsart University
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Funding amount: $350,000
Description: The project will advance the next generation of forest leaders through the development of graduate-level forest curriculum and study programs, with a focus on sustainable forest landscape management.

Project name: Regional Model Forest Network Africa – CAMAMF
Recipient: Forêt Modéle Campo-Ma’an
Location: Kribi, Cameroon
Funding amount: $100,000
Description: This project will develop and conserve natural resources in the Campo Ma’an Model Forest in Cameroon while developing local economies.

Project name: Regional Model Forest Network Asia – ULOT
Recipient: Municipality of Paranas
Location: Paranas, Philippines
Funding amount: $125,000
Description: The project will undertake local capacity building and support a nature school in The Philippines’ Ulot Watershed Model Forest.

Project name: Regional Model Forest Network Asia – CAROOD
Recipient: Carood Watershed Model Forest Management Council, Inc.
Location: Candijay, Philippines
Funding amount: $125,000
Description: Through this project, the proponent will undertake forest and mangrove restoration while promoting sustainable livelihoods in the Philippines’ Carood Watershed Model Forest. The project will also empower youth, women and local organizations as environmental stewards. 

Project name: Regional Model Forest Network Asia – PMMF
Recipient: Perkumpulan Margowitan Model Forest
Location: Madiun, Indonesia
Funding amount: $124,026
Description: Under this project, community-led partnership, youth and environmental awareness in Indonesia’s Margowitan Model Forest will be facilitated. The project will also support the development of nurseries of multi-purpose tree species. 

Project name: Regional Model Forest Network Asia – NMFA
Recipient: Ngao Model Forest Association
Location: Ngao, Thailand
Funding: $124,999
Description: The project will empower local communities in the Ngao Model Forest to revive and enhance traditional resin (lac) cultivation. This initiative aims to create sustainable livelihoods, boost forest cover and prevent desertification and soil degradation caused by wildfires in the local forest ecosystems.

Project name: Regional Model Forest Network Asia – IUCN
Recipient: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Funding: $124,876
Description: The project will support the implementation of place-based forest landscape restoration interventions in India’s Balkhila Model Forest.

Project name: Regional Model Forest Network Asia – KSNU
Recipient: Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga
Location: Iruvakki, India
Funding: $124,978
Description: The project will improve the habitat of natural forests, teak plantations and sacred forests degraded by invasive plant species in India’s Kodagu Model Forest. Under this project, agricultural land abandoned due to human-animal conflict will be restored and effective methods to restore landslide affected agricultural lands will be developed and replicated.