Milka Barriga (LAC-Net Governance Specialist), Mildred Jiménez (General Manager, Reventazón Model Forest) and Brian Bonnell (IMFNS Senior Program Officer) traveled to Honduras in September to promote and clarify the Model Forest concept in Honduras in response to their recent membership in LAC-Net. The trio visited two potential Model Forests—Atlántida, on the north coast, and Yoro, immediately adjacent to Atlántida but very different in terms of its ecology and socio-economic context.

Discussions were held on the principles of a Model Forest, and the three representatives shared experiences from across LAC-Net and the IMFN with local stakeholders. Atlántida stakeholders have been meeting in recent months to establish a governance structure and begin developing a strategic plan. The process is being facilitated by a CUSO cooperant, Christina Polzot. Development of the Yoro Model Forest is still in the early stages and is being coordinated by the Proyecto de Bosques y Productividad Rural. A presentation on the status of Model Forest development in Honduras will be made at the November 2006 LAC-Net Board of Directors (BoD) meeting in Argentina.