Investment in Brazil provides domestic returns

The workshop in Missoula was inspired and informed by USFS training experience in Brazil, including this discussion of public use opportunities and planning for Amazonas National Park. Photo: Dr. Steve McCool/ University of Montana.

In late August, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) International Programs partnered with the U.S. National Forest System (NFS) and the University of Montana to conduct a pilot course on recreation planning in Missoula, Montana, for USFS employees. Eighteen employees attended.

USFS International Programs previously asked the agency’s recreation planners to develop trainings in Brazil. Forest Service leadership then asked for the Brazil model to be used as the basis for training its own staff.

In Brazil, growing public use of the country’s national parks and other protected areas requires planning to ensure protection of natural resources and a sustainable, quality visitor experience. With funding from the USAID/Brazil, the USFS has provided extensive support to Brazil’s agency that manages all of the country’s federal parks and national forests (ICMBio), including building capacity for public use planning. By engaging managers and university staff, the USFS and Brazilian government have together harmonized diverse knowledge and skills to create training products that use best available science, address key management questions and utilize creative and effective teaching techniques.

The training program focused on building the capacity of national forest planners to implement the Sustainable Recreation Planning Rule. Organizers also designed the workshop as a test workshop, during which draft exercises and workshop products were vetted by participants. International Programs and NFS are now using feedback from participants to revise the content and flow of training materials. This iterative process draws from the wisdom and experience of diverse practitioners to ensure training relevance, while continuing to build knowledge and capacity in the field of recreation and tourism planning.