National forest inventory course attracts global interest: Over 2 500 participants will advance their Forest Monitoring capacities

The National Forest Inventory (NFI) online facilitated course officially begins today following an overwhelming international interest. A total of 2 520 participants from 141 countries have registered, signaling strong international interest to enhance skills in forest data collection, analysis and reporting.

This high level of interest resulted in early closure of registration to ensure that all participants receive the best possible experience and support throughout the course.

Among the respondents to the registration survey,1 458 individuals (58 percent) will follow the course in English, while the Spanish version has drawn 535 respondents (21 percent) and the French version has attracted 527 respondents (21 percent). This broad linguistic distribution highlights the course’s global appeal and the recognition of the importance of effective forest data management across different regions.

The demographics of the respondents underscore the course’s wide-reaching appeal. Notably, 36 percent of the respondents (907 individuals) are women, reflecting significant female representation in the field of forest data management. Additionally, 54 percent of the respondents (1 369 individuals) are young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35, indicating a growing interest among emerging professionals. Equally significant is the fact that 40 percent of the respondents (1 000 individuals) self-identify as Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing the increasing engagement of Indigenous Peoples in forest monitoring and their critical role in forest conservation and management.

Substantial participation has been noted from several countries, with the highest numbers of respondents coming from Zambia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, the Republic of Congo, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Colombia, India and Benin. Respondents with the highest representation come from Africa (57 percent), followed by Latin America (20 percent) and Asia (13 percent). This global interest demonstrates the widespread appeal of free and open capacity development opportunities on forest monitoring.

In terms of professional background, 41 percent of respondents are affiliated with government institutions, 34 percent from universities and research centers, 11 percent from non-governmental organizations and civil society groups, 6 percent representing international organizations (including United Nations bodies) and 6 percent from the private sector.

Respondents also represent key areas of work, with many working in the sustainable management of forest ecosystems, forest protection, climate change and environmental sciences. The NFI online facilitated course offers participants from different sectors a comprehensive training program covering the entire process of conducting an NFI. Participants will gain insights into planning, implementing and analysing forest data, with a strong emphasis on transparency and accuracy.

Designed to be accessible to a wide audience and delivered simultaneously in English, French and Spanish, the course covers key topics such as the purpose and benefits of NFIs, best practices for data collection and analysis, and the effective use of NFI data for policymaking and improving forest management practices. Real-world case studies and practical examples are also included to illustrate the successful implementation of NFIs and their impact on sustainable forest management.

NFI self-paced learning still available

For those who were unable to register this time, a self-paced version of the NFI course is available in English, French and Spanish on the FAO eLearning Academy platform. This online offering is part of a broader initiative to boost transparency in forest data and promote sustainable forest management globally. As interest in forest data continues to grow, we are planning to offer additional training sessions and resources to meet this ongoing demand.

We encourage you to stay connected with us for future opportunities. Detailed information about training opportunities, including resources and updates, is available on the official NFI page. Visit the NFI Online Course webpage for more details and follow the discussion on our social media channels using the hashtag #NFILearning.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who registered for the course and express our deep appreciation for your dedication to advancing forest data transparency. Together, we are making significant strides toward a more sustainable and transparent future for our forests.