Embracing innovation in forest monitoring: Unveiling the results of FAO's SEPAL course survey

Innovation serves as catalyst for progress, propelling transformative change across sectors. Its impact transcends mere technological advancements, as it fosters inclusivity and breaks down systemic barriers. Last March 21st, the world commemorated the International Day of Forests under the theme “Forests and Innovation”, exploring how innovation can enhance inclusivity in forest monitoring, including sustainable capacity development initiatives. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has pioneered virtual and innovative capacity development approaches. A 6-month post course survey followed the Kirkpatrick approach to evaluate the effects of capacity development intervention. The survey enabled participants to voice their perspectives, suggest improvements, and capture knowledge, awareness, and practice changes. A recent example was the feedback provided for the System for Earth Observation Data Access, Processing and Analysis for Land Monitoring (SEPAL) online facilitated course conducted from March to May, 2023. 

The survey, conducted from mid-November to mid-December 2023, was sent to 252 participants who obtained the course digital badge. We received responses from 77 participants, constituting a positive 31% response rate. The results underscored the tangible impact of the SEPAL online facilitated course in empowering participants to contribute effectively to forest monitoring and conservation efforts. With this feedback, FAO will be able to scale up and improve the delivery of future online facilitated courses. 

Let's delve into the main results of the survey: 

The survey results also highlighted diverse applications of the acquired knowledge, ranging from national forest inventories to land cover analysis and peatland mapping. Participants utilized their newfound skills to create land use cover maps, perform satellite image classifications, and estimate tree cover change, among other tasks. 

SEPAL has managed not only to reach governments and forestry technicians but has also attracted interest in the academia sector, representing an interesting audience for continued capacity development initiatives. In this sense, the most relevant application of the course for some participants was: “Explaining to my friends at school how SEPAL is evolving in monitoring and evaluation of our natural resources with minimum labor required” or “With my students in my class and with colleagues on the subject of forest mapping in Guatemala and people who are also interested in using satellite images and do not know how to write code”, to mention a few. 

A staggering 97% of participants expressed their willingness to recommend the course to others, emphasizing its value and efficacy. However, the survey also illuminated challenges hindering the application of learning, including internet connectivity issues, limited field practice, and the need for additional training to better understand some complex features of the SEPAL platform. 

The SEPAL online facilitated course and the certified course stem from a successful partnership among several resource and technical partners, spearheaded by FAO and including the SEPAL project, funded by Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), and the AIM4Forests programme, funded by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  

Looking ahead, FAO continues to refine its capacity development offer, embracing an open science approach to make these innovative solutions accessible anytime, anywhere. As we strive towards a more sustainable future, active engagement in forest monitoring initiatives like SEPAL is key. By enrolling in the SEPAL certified course, individuals can equip themselves with the necessary skills to address the challenges of forest monitoring and climate change, contributing to a more equitable and resilient world. 

Join us in harnessing the power of innovation and inclusivity to safeguard our forests for generations to come. Enroll in the SEPAL certified course today and become a part of this vital movement towards a sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference.