Shaping National Policy to Support Landscape Approaches

Challenge Details

Policies and political abilities vary widely

Policies that support integrated landscape initiatives come in all shapes and sizes. Some may be simple regulatory changes, or increased government oversight of industry or improved management of protected areas. Increased governmental financial support for local governance is often critical. Tenure security and improved social justice are often key components. Whatever your landscape initiative needs from government, creating policy change from the landscape level requires a wide variety of skills and knowledge, as well as access and opportunity, that are often hard to come by. But these tools can be forged with commitment and cooperation.

Start by tweaking what exists

Policy goals for many integrated landscape initiatives include increased support for smallholder agricultural activity, clear and fair tenure systems, support for local governance and government-supported payments for ecosystem services. Changes in policies governing any number of natural resources can have big, and wide-ranging, effects on landscape dynamics. Yet public policies are often developed and implemented independently, rather than as part of a broad, integrated strategy. These sectoral approaches have their limits as inefficient or even conflicting, but well-intentioned, policy goals are pursued within the same landscapes.

 

Network Events

World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi June 25, 2014 - June 26, 2014

Kenya Policy Dialogue

Coming together to create integrated solutions to complex problems in Kenyan landscapes

More Info
Washington, DC October 22, 2014 | 12:00 - 15:00

World Food Day Discussion: Family Farming in the 21st Century

To celebrate World Food Day 2014, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with The National Geographic Society, will be organizing a discussion on “Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth – Family Farming in the 21st Century”

More Info

Related Publication

Related Tool

Landscape Experiences

Naivasha, Kenya • Lake Naivasha and surrounding environs, central Kenya

The Naivasha Landscape consists mainly of the Lake Naivasha watershed or catchment basin, which supports a highly vibrant intensive irrigation-based agriculture for cut flowers, livestock and dairy farming, geothermal power production, fishery and tourism industry.

Visit Landscape

São Felix do Xingu, Brazil • São Felix do Xingu, Brazil

This Amazonian landscape is greatly affected by illegal deforestation and conflicts over land tenure.

Visit Landscape