Forests & Livelihoods: Assessment, Research and Engagement (FLARE)
FLARE emphasizes community-managed forests as critical in preserving biodiversity and ensuring traditional livelihoods.
FLARE is a global network that unites experts from various sectors to enhance the role of forests in achieving prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Based at the University of Notre Dame Keough School of Global Affairs, the network facilitates research, policy development, and community engagement, emphasizing the protection of Indigenous lands and community forests.
The collaborative network unites scholars, educators, and practitioners worldwide to enhance and apply knowledge at the nexus of forests and livelihoods. While emphasizing the critical issue of deforestation on Indigenous lands — often conducted without the consent of Indigenous peoples — the network supports these communities’ rights to protect their ancestral homes and share in the benefits derived from forest resources. FLARE works to safeguard and preserve community forests — managed collectively by Indigenous groups — to combat climate change, prevent biodiversity loss, and secure their livelihoods.
FLARE facilitates research and conversations on the complex relationship between forests and poverty, aiming to balance conservation efforts with livelihood needs, particularly for marginalized peoples. FLARE’s work is amplified through its annual conferences, which provide a forum for academic discussion and addressing critical issues such as climate change, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights.
Contact FLARE project manager Brian Wanbaugh with inquiries or partnership opportunities.
An Overview and History of FLARE