Practical Application

1. Review findings of the site audit (see Site: Audit).
2. Contact the FM to determine which people are responsible for the operations and management of the landscape.
3. Assemble a network of outside experts who can assist with specific landscape issues. Establish simple contracting methods to easily access their expertise.
4. Create partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and universities to provide expertise and assistance in identifying and supporting appropriate native plants and fauna.
5. Evaluate the existing landscape maintenance practices and determine which ones are culturally driven. Work with teams to align practices with sustainable best practices.
6. Develop a list of locally sourced landscape materials including mulch and compost, soil amendments, and other sustainable landscape supplies.
7. Review existing systems and equipment and identify measures to increase their efficiency and sustainability.
8. Develop a plan to address significant changes based on research findings. Review other strategies within this Guide to determine which may be most beneficial.

Farmers and researchers in a training session at a rural resource center in Cameroon

Charlie Pye-Smith/International Centre for Research in Agroforestry