Partnership plans South Africa trip. (Clippings).AMERICAN FORESTS American Forests is a nonprofit conservation organization that promotes healthy forests and urban tree planting. The organization was established in 1875 as the American Forestry Association, by physician/horticulturist John Aston Warder and a group of like-minded citizens is teaming up with People to People Ambassador Programs to develop and lead annual forestry delegations to forested areas around the world. After a successful excursion to China in 2001, the two organizations are planning a trip to South Africa South Africa, Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. in November 2003. AMERICAN FORESTS has a tradition of sponsoring educational trips for people with an interest in forestry, beginning with the popular Trail Riders backcountry back·coun·try n. A sparsely inhabited rural region. pack trips in the 1930s to 1980s and continuing in the 1990s with trips to Europe, Asia, and Latin America Latin America, the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. . People to People Ambassador Programs was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to further his belief that private citizens reaching out in friendship to people of other nations could make a significant contribution to world peace. AMERICAN FORESTS proudly joins this venture to promote friendly relations among countries through scientific, professional, and technical exchanges. The South Africa trip will take place November 8-19, 2003, and AMERICAN FORESTS is working with People to People staff in the U.S. and South Africa to develop the itinerary. The exchange is intended primarily to allow forestry-related disciplines and others interested in forests to exchange views and observe physical, biological, and social/economic factors. Participants also will learn about South Africa's forestry and natural resource issues and demands. Among the topics being considered are: sustainable forestry, reforestation Reforestation The reestablishment of forest cover either naturally or artificially. Given enough time, natural regeneration will usually occur in areas where temperatures and rainfall are adequate and when grazing and wildfires are not too frequent. , timber harvest, ecosystem protection, urban ("social") forestry, forestry-wildlife relationships, protected areas, and subsistence use of forests by local people. Among the professional contacts being considered: Forestry South Africa, Stellenbosch University Department of Forestry, Forest Stewardship Council The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization based in Bonn, Germany. The Council's stated mission is "to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests". , and the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. The itinerary will likely include Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg and forestry regions near each of those cities. There will be opportunities to experience South Africa's culture and beauty, including Kruger National Park Kruger National Park, game reserve, c.8,000 sq mi (20,720 sq km), Limpopo and Mpumalanga, NE South Africa. One of the world's largest wildlife sanctuaries, it has almost every species of game found in southern Africa. or Tshukudu Game Reserve. People to People Ambassador Programs staff will provide all travel arrangements, country and local guides, and interpreters as appropriate. Watch for more details in the Spring issue of this magazine. |
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