Cooperative evaluation of Woods Hole Research Center activities under the USAID/Brazil global climate change program

Activities focused on developing natural resource management tools for an emerging network of forest-margin farm communities and on expanding and strengthening a network of Amazonia-based scientists trained in ecology and interested in intervening in public affairs. Interim evaluation covers the period 9/93-9/96. Project activities have been carried out primarily in the states of Para and Acre via research-based workshops, courses, and publications; formal university training; and participation in current regional debates regarding the utilization of Amazonian natural resources. The activities include agricultural intensification and land-use planning along the Capim River; predicting forest-fire risk; preventing accidental forest fires; beginning development of a functioning extractive reserve; inventorying resources in the Rio Gelado Settlement Project; improving the planning of industrial mining in Para; and training in forest utilization, forest recovery, and biotic impoverishment. Overall results are as follows: The Center has made considerable progress in shifting from a highly independent unit responsible only to headquarters to an institution with diverse local commitments. Reconciliation of the various vertical and horizontal partnerships, an imperative for achieving broader impact and sustainability, will still take some work. To make more effective use of existing mechanisms, the Center must become more involved with government agencies of various kinds. Even in the Amazon, the Brazilian government has financial, human, and physical resources that are infinitely greater than those involved in international cooperation. Outside resources should be used to catalyze changes that influence more appropriate allocation of national resources. More effective use of existing mechanisms should also involve NGOs or networks that operate above the community level; the latter is not sufficient for achieving impact in a region the size of the Amazon. Finally, work with a variety of governmental and non-governmental organizations is time-consuming and therefore has direct and indirect costs. Especially as the project moves to full operation, USAID should not hesitate to allow for such transaction costs. The general lesson learned is that science and community action can be combined. The challenge at this point is to achieve results that have broader impact beyond the immediate community or organization with which the scientists work. (Author abstract, modified)