Citizen Enforcement in the Forestry Sector

When
March 21, 2019 10:00 am — 11:30 am
Where
Washington, DC (and webinar)

Co-Sponsored by Environmental Law Institute, National Whistleblower Center, and International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement


An ELI 50th Anniversary Seminar

Illegal timber trade comprises 15-30% of the global timber trade according to Interpol and is valued at USD$51-152 billion every year. Monitoring logging activities and enforcing forestry laws is notoriously difficult.

To celebrate this year’s International Day of Forests on March 21, the Environmental Law Institute, the National Whistleblower Center, and the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement joined together for this seminar, drawing on the experiences of experts in the forestry sector to explore the role of citizens in combatting forest crime. Panelists considered the challenges of enforcing timber harvesting regulations, the environmental impacts of the proliferation of illegal logging, the use of existing legal provisions to incentivize citizen enforcement, and how practitioners can support this process.

This webinar is part of an ongoing Discussion Series that examines how whistleblower laws and other legal tools, emerging technologies, and citizen engagement are transforming the landscape of environmental enforcement. The series aims to build capacity among government agencies, non-profit organizations, international organizations, and individuals about citizen engagement in environmental enforcement.

Panelists:
Sandra Nichols Thiam, Senior Attorney, Environmental Law Institute, Moderator
Melissa Blue Sky, Staff Attorney, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
Shelley Gardner, Illegal Logging Program Coordinator, USDA Forest Service
Ruth Noguerón, Senior Associate at the Forests Program, World Resources Institute

Materials:
Melissa BlueSky presentation
Shelley Gardner presentation
Ruth Noguerón presentation

ELI members will have access to a recording of this session (usually posted w/in 48 hours). If you are not an ELI member but would like to have access to archived sessions like this one, go HERE to see the many benefits of membership and how to join.