Helping producers understand and manage HCVs

Many companies that produce forest and agricultural commodities, such as palm oil, soy, sugar rubber or timber, are required to maintain High Conservation Values (HCVs) to comply with sustainability standards or buyers’ sustainability commitments. In practice, however, challenges such as technical constraints or encroachment can make it difficult for companies to manage and monitor HCVs on the ground.

Proforest’s new HCV course is designed to provide practical support to companies to help them address these issues. It is geared primarily towards technical staff from producer companies in any sector but will be particularly relevant for the palm oil, forestry and rubber sectors. It would also be very useful for other stakeholders involved in practical conservation on the ground in multi-use landscapes, such as conservation NGOs and government departments.

Designed to be as practical as possible, the three-day course will consist of two days of interactive classroom sessions and a one-day practical field exercise to expose participants to practical examples of HCV management and monitoring strategies in the field. It offers practical guidance, examples and tools to support the development and implementation of HCV management and monitoring plans, in line with the requirements of standards, such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The course also seeks to bring together the collective experience of this group to share experiences of HCV management and monitoring.

The course will take place in Takoradi in Ghana, from 10 to 12 October, 2016. Places are limited so early registration is advised.