The modern world is a challenging place for foresters. Trends an ocean away can impact local forest management, and foresters find that in this age of globalization, their role as land stewards has evolved from specialist to generalist, from purely local to international. Decisions must be weighed socially, economically and environmentally. WORLD FOREST INSTITUTE (WFI)' + char(39)+ N's programs and conferences offer a unique and exciting opportunity for forestry professionals to gain the broader perspectives, connections and skill set demanded by this era of change.
Our International Fellowship program offers professionals a six to twelve month sabbatical to network with US forestry professionals and to learn from, and exchange ideas on a wide variety of forestry issues. Our conferences bring investors, businesses, conservationists, scientists and land owners together to discuss the rapidly evolving arena of forestland ownership and the impact of those shifts
The WFI Fellowship Program brings
forestry and forest products professionals from around the world to work
at the World Forest Institute for 6 to 12 months. Over 80 Fellows from
25 countries have participated in the program.
The Fellowship Program offers
participants many opportunities, such as:
* Conducting studies in the Pacific
Northwest related to forestry
* Meeting with many different forestry
organizations and corporations
* Building a network of forestry
contacts, and
* Promoting the dissemination and exchange of
information regarding global forest resources and their utilization
Fellows leave the program with a
solid understanding of how the US forestry sector operates and who the
key players are. Additionally, Fellows gain invaluable cultural
experience and English language skills.
The Fellowship is a Blend of
Research, Networking, and Cultural Exchange
There are currently three main
components to the program:
1. Conducting a Project
Fellows
arrive with a major research proposal developed in conjunction with
his/her sponsor. We favor proposals that are policy or market-oriented,
employ good use of being situated in the Pacific Northwest, and cover a
topic of interest to the international forestry community. Research
projects may involve information gathering, interviewing, visiting other
organizations, or planning a conference. Fellows typically summarize
their projects in a report published by the World Forest Institute.
Past projects have included:
* studies on sustainable forestry
initiatives
* analysis of international timber markets
*
opportunities in plantation investments
* certification of wood
products
* the development of carbon credit systems
* a
comparative analysis of regional forest management plans across several
nations
* market studies on US wood demand
* use of recycled
construction materials
* green building techniques
* interagency
fire management
2. Networking with public and
private forestry organizations in the US, especially in the Pacific
Northwest
Networking is largely accomplished
by site visits to forestry agencies, research labs, universities, public
and private timberlands, trade associations, mills, and corporations. A
combination of about four site visits or meetings per month are
scheduled for Fellows. Fellows participating less than 12 months should
note that most field excursions are conducted during summer months
between June and October in order to avoid the rainy season. Fellows are
also encouraged to arrange their own meetings to suit personal
interests.
Typical site visits will include
(but are not limited to):
* Nursery, forestland, and
harvesting operations
* Various public agencies, including the US
