Processing collected fruits of Pinus armandii.

The project will obtain a clear information on distribution and status of highly threatened conifer populations, namely Cunninghamia konishii, Pinus aff. armandii, Amentotaxus yunannensis, through field surveys in Xuan Nha natural reserve of Son La province and the adjacent area Muong Lat of Thanh Hoa province. Propagation methods for the species will be studied and a number of seedlings will be produced locally in the villages. The villagers will these materials for planting in the areas in the near future.

A Conifer Conservation Club will be formed comprising of villagers and some people in Xuan Nha districts on voluntary base. The members of the Club are promoted to participate in a series of thematic seminars on conifer conservation. They are also participated in field surveys and nursery propagation of the endangered conifers in their village. Through the participation they will gain necessary knowledge and skills to play a role of local actor for adequate management of the genetic resource actively. The Club will help to link forest rangers of Xuan Nha nature reserve and local village people in forest protection and management. They can serve as monitors for forest fires, forest violation (timber logging or forest clearance for farming) and education programs of local people.

Survey results, propagation methods and conservation club activities of the project will be disseminated by different medias. Scientific reports, web articles on related environment sites will be published. A final dissemination workshop will be hold to inform and discuss project results to local authorities and district and provincial forest officers for a better conservation plan in the future.

Total period of the project is 15 months.