Managing the interactions between forests, water and landscapes is complex. This event will focus on participatory tools and approaches for monitoring and implementation of best practices. It will highlight governance arrangements for integrated forest-water management and how the nexus can contribute to a range of water and ecosystem related Sustainable Development Goals.

Urbanization, climate change, water scarcity, restoration commitments, international frameworks (e.g. SDGs, Bonn Challenge, UNFCCC) all have impacts on forest-water relationships and water-related ecosystem services. Forests can provide nature-based solutions to water management and issues related to water and food security, if properly managed; the converse can also be true. It is well-known that forest-water relationships are context specific. How do we guide people to understand these relationships and to take these into consideration in forest and landscape management? Are we ready to provide guidance on managing forests for water? If so, what does this look like and what information is needed to provide scientifically based guidance that can be applied by a broader audience? What are the challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed?

The event will highlight how practical tools and approaches for monitoring and best practices could improve the engagement of stakeholders in landscape planning, and play a positive role for integrated forest-water management. It will also address how they could facilitate evidence-based natural resources planning and inform policies to achieve better management of forest ecosystems, soil health and water resources, including water quality, groundwater recharge, and water availability and access.

Programme

09:00 Introduction and welcome by moderator
09:05 The forest-water indicator framework
Elaine Springgay, FAO
09:15 The blue targeting tool - A participatory tool for forest-water monitoring in the field.
Daniel Palm, Swedish Forest Agency
09:25 Adaptation of the blue targeting tool to tropical conditions: examples from the atlantic forest, Brazil
Aline Fransozi, University of Sao Paulo
09:35 Example of challenges and opportunities with water funds
Fredrick Kihara, TNC
09:45 Group discussions at three stand-up tables
•    Theme 1: Citizen science and participatory monitoring of the forest-water nexus
•    Theme 2: Integration of socio-economic and gender indicators in forest-water monitoring frameworks
•    Theme 3: Polycentric governance of the forest-water nexus
10:05 Groups reporting back to plenary
10:15 Conclusions
James Dalton, IUCN
10:25 Information about field visit
10:30 End of session