Forest Ambassadors: A program to train national talent and support a green Saudi Arabia

In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting its natural environment and promoting its sustainability, the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification launched the “Forest Ambassadors” training program in strategic partnership with King Khalid University in the Asir region. This ambitious program aims to build specialized national capacities in forest resource assessment and the rehabilitation of degraded areas, based on the latest global practices and standards in this field.

National context and future vision

The launch of this program comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing unprecedented environmental activism within the framework of "Vision 2030" and the "Saudi Green Initiative," which aims to plant 10 billion trees and combat desertification. The Asir region holds particular importance in this context, given its unique biodiversity and dense forests that constitute a significant portion of the Kingdom's forest cover, making it an ideal natural laboratory for implementing protection and rehabilitation programs.

Program details and objectives

The Director General of the General Directorate of Forests, Engineer Samir Malaika, explained that the center continues to implement its specialized programs to build a national workforce capable of addressing complex environmental challenges. He noted that the "Forest Ambassadors" program is one of the most prominent training initiatives targeting university students and specialists, equipping them with the necessary technical skills to inventory and assess vegetation cover and prepare rehabilitation plans for degraded areas to ensure environmental sustainability.

“Malaika” stressed that investing in human capital is the cornerstone of the success of any environmental initiative, emphasizing that the partnership with King Khalid University aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, and to graduate a generation capable of dealing in the field with the reality of Saudi forests.

Training methodology and its stages

The program is designed to skillfully combine theoretical and practical aspects through three intensive training phases spanning two months:

• Phase 1: Focuses on the basic concepts of sustainable management, inventory and evaluation methodologies, and the use of maps and modern measuring devices.
• Phase Two: It takes participants to the field application in “Prince Sultan Park” in Asir, where real measurements of trees are carried out, biomass and carbon stock are calculated, and the health status of the forests is assessed.
• The third stage: It deals with analyzing the collected data and extracting technical indicators, to be used in preparing future forest management plans.

Economic and environmental importance

The importance of this program extends beyond training to encompass broad economic and environmental dimensions. Forest conservation directly contributes to promoting ecotourism, protecting soil from erosion, and increasing groundwater reserves. Furthermore, forests play a vital role in carbon absorption and mitigating the effects of climate change, aligning with the Kingdom's international commitments to preserving the planet.

Engineer Samir Malaika concluded his speech by emphasizing that “Forest Ambassadors” represents a model of successful integration between the government and academic sectors, to ensure the protection of natural resources for future generations.