Forests and Community Livelihoods
When the state does not have enough capacity to care for 102 million rai of forest, communities living with forests are the first line of defence. We support them with the resources they need to fight fires, restore forests and earn incomes that sustain the forests.
Translated from Thai · reviewed by the CF team
Every year, more than 3 million rai of forest is burned, and 65% of the area burned nationwide is caused by forest fires. These are a major source of PM2.5 dust, which harms the health of people across the country. With more than 102 million rai of forest, the capacity of state officials alone is not enough. Many communities have therefore worked to protect the forests around their villages every year, despite receiving almost no outside support.
When communities can prevent forest fires and encroachment, they help preserve air quality, water sources and ecosystems that support the quality of life of people downstream in cities. Supporting communities is therefore a form of payment for ecosystem services (PES), with outcomes tracked using verifiable data on hotspots, burned areas, the greenness index and biodiversity.
Hmong, Pga K’nyau and Black Lahu communities in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Tak, and communities around the limestone forests of Saraburi, work with mentoring organisations including Chiang Mai Breath Council, Phuea Kan Phatthana Thi Yangyuen Foundation, Hug Muang Nan Foundation, Nawattakam Chao Ban and The Next Forest.
- 01 Directly support communities that are already caring for forests, without creating new mechanisms that duplicate existing ones.
- 02 Give communities the freedom to plan how to use the budget according to local issues.
- 03 Measure outcomes using satellite data, drones and surveys conducted by the communities themselves.
- 04 Link household economies with forest conservation to reduce long-term reliance on external funding.
3 projects
A project is how we act on an Issue. Every progress update from the field is on the project’s own page.
Forest Guardians
Raise funds from the public, private sector and various organisations to support 25 forest guardian communities in 4 provinces to fight fires, restore forests and earn income in ways that support the forest.
Thai CF Net
A community forest database compiled through collaboration between government and civil society by RECOFTC Thailand. It covers nearly 800 community forests nationwide.
PES Center
A database of more than 300 PES projects across the country, connecting private companies and supporters with communities protecting forests, coastlines and rivers.
Progress that matters for the whole Issue
Not every update: the ones we think change the overall picture for this Issue
How can we
help you?
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What change does this work create, and how do we know it is effective?
We support communities in caring for forests and track results using data such as hotspots, burned areas and the greenness index, with reported outcomes from several areas.
This work supports communities that already care for forests, including preventing fires, restoring forests and generating income in ways that support forest conservation. We track results using verifiable data such as hotspots, burned areas and the greenness index. This Issue
- Forest Guardians reported that hotspots in Ban Khun Chang Khian fell from 38 to 2 in 2025, while Ban Mae Sa Noi, Mae Hia Nai and Ban Pang Waen maintained zero burned area. ProjectForest Guardians Monitoring uses satellite data, drones and community surveys, while the PES mechanism measures the greenness index and burned areas. ProjectForest Guardians Lessons from the fire season indicate that community capacity and the safety of people doing the work should be measured, rather than looking only at the number of firefighting operations. UpdateLessons from the 2026 fire season: Success is measured by community capacity, not just the number of fires put out
- Thai CF Net has profiles of 788 community forests in 53 provinces, along with records of forest management activities and biodiversity surveys. ProjectThai CF Net
- PES Center has a database of 300+ PES projects nationwide. ProjectPES Center
How was this work carried out, and what lessons can be applied going forward?
We use the PES mechanism to support community-defined plans, alongside mentor organisations and monitoring. The key lesson is that technology, funding that reaches where it is needed, and the community economy should strengthen the capacity of local people.
Our approach is to work with communities that are already caring for forests, rather than creating new mechanisms that duplicate existing ones. We let communities plan how to use the budget based on local problems, and monitor results using satellites, drones and community surveys. This Issue
- Forest Guardians uses the PES mechanism to support firebreaks, patrols, forest restoration and the development of livelihoods that benefit forests. Mentor organisations help strengthen group formation, governance, community rules, and financial and accounting systems. ProjectForest Guardians Lessons from the 2026 fire season emphasise mobilising people in the community, using technology that reduces risks to life, donations that fill immediate gaps, and income from caring for forests. UpdateLessons from the 2026 fire season: Success is measured by community capacity, not just the number of fires put out Developing PES plans with 42 communities before selecting 25 communities to receive actual funding is an example of planning and allocating support. UpdateExpanding to 42 communities in 6 provinces: Developing PES plans with 6 mentor organisations across the North
- Thai CF Net compiles community forest data and develops the CF-NET Index so communities can assess and improve their own forest management. ProjectThai CF Net
- PES Center sets out principles requiring projects to have clear objectives and locations, measurable results, and a focus on long-term continuity. ProjectPES Center
What types of areas is this approach suitable for, and what do we need to get started in our area?
This approach works with communities that already care for forests and face challenges or have responsibilities related to forest fires, restoration and forest-friendly income. It uses community plans, mentor organisations and monitoring systems.
This work is suited to contexts where communities already play a role in caring for forests but need resources and support to fight fires, restore forests or develop livelihoods that do not encroach on forests. We work through mentor organisations and have communities plan according to local challenges. This Issue
- Forest Guardians works with Hmong, Pga K'nyau and Black Lahu communities in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Tak, as well as communities around the limestone forests of Saraburi. This Issue One example in Lamphun uses a firebreak for which every household shares responsibility, alongside sensors and sprinklers. Ban Mae Pok manages an upstream water system to support firefighting. UpdateDoi Chang Pa Pae and Mae Pok: Firebreaks built on a village-wide pledge, backed by sensors, cameras and water management systems In Ban Huai Pla Lod, Tak Province, agricultural land is used together with sprinklers to create a wet firebreak. UpdateHuai Pla Lod: Wet firebreaks integrated with farmland, with donated equipment reducing the time needed to create firebreaks These examples show that activities can be adapted to local conditions.
- Thai CF Net is a source of community forest profile information and provides tools for communities to assess their own forest management. ProjectThai CF Net
- PES Center is a project database that connects supporters with communities caring for forests, coasts and rivers. ProjectPES Center
What methods or tools can be used straight away?
Examples of tools used by communities include firebreaks and patrols, communication equipment, water systems, sensors or drones, and satellite data for monitoring forests. They choose what is appropriate for their area.
The tools used at the outset do not need to be the same in every area. Examples from our work include ways communities can care for forests together, as well as equipment that helps them work more safely or spend less time on tasks. ProjectForest Guardians
- Forest Guardians uses firebreaks, taking turns on duty and patrolling, as well as repairing water systems and providing communication equipment. ProjectForest Guardians Ban Huai Pla Lod uses sprinklers in agricultural areas to create wet firebreaks, while leaf blowers reduce the time needed to make firebreaks from 1 day to just a few hours. UpdateHuai Pla Lod: Wet firebreaks integrated with farmland, with donated equipment reducing the time needed to create firebreaks At Doi Chang Pa Pae, heat and smoke detection sensors are connected to sprinklers that can be activated via smartphone. UpdateDoi Chang Pa Pae and Mae Pok: Firebreaks built on a village-wide pledge, backed by sensors, cameras and water management systems Ban Doi Pui uses heat-detecting drones to locate fires beneath smoke and vegetation. UpdateBan Doi Pui: Thermal drones locate fire fronts beneath smoke, reducing risks to volunteers Monitoring also uses satellites, drones and community surveys. This Issue
- Thai CF Net has a community forest database and the CF-NET Index tool for communities to assess their own forest management. ProjectThai CF Net
- PES Center brings together PES projects so people can find and choose which ones to support. ProjectPES Center
How does this work connect to systemic issues, and what kind of collaboration is needed?
We see forests as ecosystems that connect upstream communities with air quality, water sources and downstream people. The PES mechanism therefore matches support with forest care whose results can be tracked, and depends on communities, mentor organisations and co-funders.
The systemic problem is that more than 102 million rai of forest is too vast for government officials to manage alone, while forest fires are linked to burned areas and PM2.5 pollution, and community forest care also supports water sources, air quality and the ecosystems on which downstream people depend. This Issue We therefore use the PES approach to support communities and track results using verifiable data. This Issue
- Forest Guardians needs funding for the 2026 fire season to support communities and mentor organisations in the area, covering fire-fighting equipment and maintenance, firebreaks and patrols, as well as livelihoods that support forest care. This Issue Lessons from the fire season indicate that funding should help address urgent gaps and strengthen community capacity, while using technology to reduce risks and generate income from forest care. UpdateLessons from the 2026 fire season: Success is measured by community capacity, not just the number of fires put out This work connects communities with mentor organisations, the private sector, donors and various agencies. ProjectForest Guardians
- Thai CF Net is a space for connecting information and people working on community forests to share and coordinate collaboration. ProjectThai CF Net
- PES Center connects the private sector and the general public with communities that care for natural resources. ProjectPES Center
We are raising funds for the 2026 fire season to support forest guardian communities and mentoring organisations on the ground.
- Firefighting equipment and maintenance costs
- Firebreaks and patrols
- Developing an economy that supports forest care