More than 150 participants from 20 countries attended the first Ibero-American Model Forest Congress in Soria, Spain in November 2008. Attendees included model forest representatives from across Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain, the IMFN Secretariat,  national or state forest agencies from countries with model forests, researchers affiliated with partner universities in model forests, non-governmental organizations and model forest supporters such as FAO. Main discussion and outcomes from the week-long event included the promotion of model forest research and networking, and the role of model forests in influencing and implementing forest policy.

The Congress was organized by CESEFOR, the forest agency for the Autonomous Region of Castilla y Leon. For more information, please contact Pilar Valbuena of CESEFOR at pilar.valbuena@cesefor.com or visit the Congress website at http://www.cesefor.com/congresociabm.asp.