Impact Flow home

‹ All projects

Forest Restoration PES Project

This project, based in Ban Mae Sa Noi, Chiang Mai, addresses the long-term need for sustainable forest and community development. Despite receiving short-term forest fire prevention funding, the area lacks integrated, systematic solutions. The project proposes a four-part plan: 1) Forest Restoration – Rehabilitating degraded pine forests by planting native species along old firebreaks to form natural fire barriers. 2) Sustainable Agriculture – Transitioning from high-impact crops (e.g., cabbage) to sustainable, high-value alternatives like herbs and greenhouse-grown vegetables, with a share of income (10%) contributing to an environmental management fund. 3) Ecotourism – Developing nature-based tourism focused on forest restoration, involving local guides and educational trails, with revenue also supporting the community’s forest fund. 4) Scholarships – Offering educational and career development support to local youth to build future community leaders and promote sustainable livelihoods aligned with forest conservation. This integrated approach aims to build a self-reliant, environmentally responsible, and economically resilient community.

Impact Value Chain

Arrows mean “leads to” · bars show progress towards the target

Five dimensions of impact →
Local community members (tourism) Direct beneficiary
Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Direct beneficiary
Travelers Indirect beneficiary
Local community members (forest restoration) Direct beneficiary
Local community members (alternative agriculture) Direct beneficiary
Youths in the local community (vocational training - tourism) Direct beneficiary
Youths in the local community (vocational training - alternative agriculture) Direct beneficiary
Youths in the local community (scholarship) Direct beneficiary
Stakeholders
ActivityWhat we do
OutputWhat the activities deliver
OutcomeChange for the stakeholders
ImpactLong-term goals · across all groups
Survey landscape and community asset for tour program development Leads to: Tour program developed based on the concept of regenerative tourism
Capacity building, e.g. costing, service standard, etc. Leads to: Community consensus and regulation in tour operation · Able to operate tour activities
Set up a community enterprise with a revenue model that channels funding toward sustainable forest management Leads to: Community enterprise for tourism established
Tour program developed based on the concept of regenerative tourism Tour program developed No baseline or target yet Leads to: Positive environmental impacts derived from regenerative tourism · Positive environmental impacts derived from regenerative tourism
Able to operate tour activities Able to launch pilot trips No baseline or target yet Leads to: Able to generate additional income from tourism activities conducted within national parks · Increase in income · Increase in distribution of income among community members · Increase in distribution of income among community members · Increase in distribution of income among community members · Increase in income of the community enterprise
Community consensus and regulation in tour operation Community rules documented No baseline or target yet
Community enterprise for tourism established Official registration of community enterprise for tourism No baseline or target yet Leads to: Increase in income of the community enterprise · Community enterprise contributes to forest management fund · More youths choose to pursue employment in their community
Positive environmental impacts derived from regenerative tourism No. of trees planted Trees · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Positive environmental impacts derived from regenerative tourism Survival rate of the trees planted % · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Increase in income Increase in household income Baht · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Increase in distribution of income among community members No. of jobs created No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Increase in distribution of income among community members No. of youths engaged in employment Youths · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Increase in distribution of income among community members No. of elderly engaged in employment Elderly · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Increase in income of the community enterprise Revenue of community enterprise Baht · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. · To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed
Community enterprise contributes to forest management fund Amount of forest management fund contributed from community enterprise Baht · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed
Engage in trail route design and approval process with a more collaborative approach Leads to: Reduce conflicts with the local community
Reduce conflicts with the local community เอกสารขอใช้พื้นที่ (agreement between community and the Department) No baseline or target yet Leads to: Effective engagement of local community in supporting forest management · Able to generate additional income from tourism activities conducted within national parks
Able to generate additional income from tourism activities conducted within national parks Monthly income from tourism activities that goes to the department Baht · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Effective engagement of local community in supporting forest management Forest fire management and conservation activities conducted by the community. Refer to: - Data of forest management fund - Data from regenerative tourism No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Engage in ecotourism activities offered by the local community (orientation, community storytelling, guided walk, etc.) Leads to: Increase in awareness of forest conservation
Increase in awareness of forest conservation No. of travelers visiting the community Travellers · No baseline or target yet
Plant trees to strengthen and maintain forest fire barriers Leads to: Forest fire barriers taken care of on an on-going basis · Forest fire barriers taken care of on an on-going basis · Forest fire barriers strengthened · Forest fire barriers strengthened
Forest fire barriers strengthened Length of forest fire barrier strengthened km · No baseline or target yet Leads to: Effective prevention of the spread of forest fire and minimize loss
Forest fire barriers strengthened No. of trees planted Trees · No baseline or target yet Leads to: Effective prevention of the spread of forest fire and minimize loss
Forest fire barriers taken care of on an on-going basis Growth rate of trees planted % · No baseline or target yet
Forest fire barriers taken care of on an on-going basis Survival rate of trees planted % · No baseline or target yet
Effective prevention of the spread of forest fire and minimize loss Reduction of burn scar No baseline or target yet
Shift from chemical intensive monoculture to more productive, higher value alternative agriculture that requires less land and chemicals, e.g. pig farming, botanical garden, medicinal herbs Leads to: Set up of new agricultural activities · Farmers households switching from cabbage farming to new alternative agriculture
Set up a community enterprise with a revenue model that channels funding toward sustainable forest management Leads to: Community enterprise for sustainable agriculture established
Farmers households switching from cabbage farming to new alternative agriculture No. of households switching to new agriculture activities Households · No baseline or target yet Leads to: More land space freed up for reforestation · Increase in income
Set up of new agricultural activities No. of new agricultural activities set up No baseline or target yet
Community enterprise for sustainable agriculture established Official registration of community enterprise for sustainable agriculture No baseline or target yet Leads to: Community enterprise contributes 20% of revenue to forest management fund · Increase in income of the community enterprise · More youths choose to pursue employment in their community
Increase in income Increase in household income Baht · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
More land space freed up for reforestation Additional land area freed up after farmers switch to alternative farming rai · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Increase in income of the community enterprise Revenue of community enterprise Baht · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed · To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Community enterprise contributes 20% of revenue to forest management fund Amount of forest management fund contributed from community enterprise Baht · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. · To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed
Hands-on vocational training in tourism and agriculture Leads to: Youth receive sufficient knowledge and skills to work in tourism and agriculture in the community
Youth receive sufficient knowledge and skills to work in tourism and agriculture in the community Increase in knowledge and skills No baseline or target yet Leads to: More youths choose to pursue employment in their community
More youths choose to pursue employment in their community No. of youths who decide to pursue employment at the community Youths · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Hands-on vocational training in tourism and agriculture Leads to: Youth receive sufficient knowledge and skills to work in agriculture in the community
Youth receive sufficient knowledge and skills to work in agriculture in the community Increase in knowledge and skills No baseline or target yet Leads to: More youths choose to pursue employment in their community
More youths choose to pursue employment in their community No. of youths who decide to pursue employment at the community Youths · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
Receive scholarships for 1 academic year Leads to: Students from poor family able to continue education
Students from poor family able to continue education No. of students who receive scholarship Youths · No baseline or target yet Leads to: Students complete education for another academic year
Students complete education for another academic year No. of students who complete their study for the academic year as per conditions required by the scholarship (ปพ 1) Youths · No baseline or target yet Leads to: To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.
SDG 8 · Decent Work and Economic Growth To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. 8.2, 8.9
SDG 15 · Life on Land To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed 15.2, 15.4, 15.a

About the project

Problem

Forest fires account for a significant proportion—65%—of all burned areas in Thailand over the past decade (2010–2020), and they remain a major contributor to PM2.5 air pollution. In northern Thailand, these fires are often human-induced, as local communities burn forest areas to collect forest products or clear land for farming—activities rooted in traditional practices. However, this is often driven by necessity: many locals have limited livelihood options and rely on forest burning as a means of survival. To effectively prevent forest fires and restore damaged ecosystems, it is essential to promote community-based forest stewardship. Many communities living in protected or conservation forest areas are well-positioned to serve as active partners in forest protection and restoration. However, these communities often lack critical resources—such as funding, tools for creating firebreaks, and materials for reforestation and ecosystem conservation (e.g., biodiversity enhancement, water retention, and soil erosion prevention). Strengthening their capacity through targeted support would be key to reducing fire risks and building long-term environmental resilience.

Solution

The project aims to reduce the community’s dependence on traditional forest-burning practices by supporting the development of alternative, sustainable livelihood options, which include ecotourism initiatives that leverage the community’s unique environmental assets, as well as modern, climate-resilient agricultural practices that minimize land degradation. By creating new income streams, these economic alternatives help alleviate the need for harmful forest use, while simultaneously generating revenue that can be reinvested into long-term community-led forest management.

Budget
710,000.00 Baht

Impact Goals

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 8 · Decent Work and Economic Growth

To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.

  • 8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
  • 8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
SDG 15: Life on Land

SDG 15 · Life on Land

To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed

  • 15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
  • 15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development
  • 15.a Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

Stakeholder

Local community members (tourism)

Direct beneficiary Importance: High

Description

บ้านแม่สาน้อย community members who are engaged in tourism activities

Problem / opportunity / challenge encountered by this stakeholder

บ้านแม่สาน้อย holds strong potential to develop regenerative tourism by leveraging its pristine forest landscape. However, community members still require capacity building to effectively implement and manage such initiatives.

Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Direct beneficiary Importance: High

Description

The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is the key gatekeeper in approving tourism activities conducted within national parks

Problem / opportunity / challenge encountered by this stakeholder

Strict enforcement of national park laws—such as blanket bans on all activities—can create tensions between the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and local communities, especially when traditional livelihoods are affected. A more collaborative approach, supported by effective communication and partners like ไทยรักษ์ป่า, can help ease conflicts and foster mutual understanding. With limited staff and vast areas to manage, the Department could also benefit from engaging local communities as partners in forest protection, tapping into their local knowledge and presence to strengthen conservation efforts.

Travelers

Indirect beneficiary Importance: Medium

Description

Thai and international travelers interested in ecotourism activities. The number of visitors that communities can host will depend on the area’s ecological carrying capacity.

Problem / opportunity / challenge encountered by this stakeholder

Although ecotourism has started to gain traction in Thailand, understanding of what constitutes true ecotourism (i.e., low impact, conservation-focused, community-benefiting travel) is still shallow among the broader public. Education may be necessary to ensure travelers respect cultural norms and environmental rules (e.g., no littering, no off-trail hiking), understand the impact of their visit, and contribute meaningfully to the area they visit.

Local community members (forest restoration)

Direct beneficiary Importance: High

Description

Local community members engaged in forest restoration activities, i.e. tree planting for forest fire barrier.

Problem / opportunity / challenge encountered by this stakeholder

บ้านแม่สาน้อย has a long-term plan to establish forest fire barriers by planting trees at strategic locations, covering a total of XX kilometers. However, the community currently lacks sufficient resources and funding to implement the plan.

Local community members (alternative agriculture)

Direct beneficiary Importance: High

Description

At present, most farmers in the community grow cabbage, which requires extensive land and relies heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Three households are planning to transition to more sustainable agricultural practices, such as pig farming, setting up botanical gardens, and growing medicinal herbs.

Problem / opportunity / challenge encountered by this stakeholder

Cabbage and other monocrop farming require large land areas and heavy chemical use, leading to soil degradation, while generating low market value. In contrast, alternative agriculture enhances land use efficiency and increases the value of produce, offering higher income and improved livelihoods for farmers.

Youths in the local community (vocational training - tourism)

Direct beneficiary Importance: High

Description

Local youths who are interested in pursuing career within their community

Problem / opportunity / challenge encountered by this stakeholder

Local youths often leave the community to seek employment elsewhere due to a lack of local economic opportunities. The absence of new generation poses challenge to the community's long term development especially in terms of forest restoration.

Youths in the local community (vocational training - alternative agriculture)

Direct beneficiary Importance: High

Description

Local youths who are interested in pursuing career within their community

Problem / opportunity / challenge encountered by this stakeholder

Local youths often leave the community to seek employment elsewhere due to a lack of local economic opportunities. The absence of new generation poses challenge to the community's long term development especially in terms of forest restoration.

Youths in the local community (scholarship)

Direct beneficiary Importance: High

Description

Local school-aged children from poor households who lack the resources to pursue further education

Problem / opportunity / challenge encountered by this stakeholder

Children and youth with limited access to education often face restricted career opportunities. Many school dropouts end up following their parents into unsustainable agricultural work. Access to higher education can open up a broader range of livelihood options and pathways to long-term sustainability.

Made with Impact Flow · Start your own Impact Value Chain