Fieldwork: Ms. Doria G.P. Ramos

NGAO MODEL FOREST, Lampang, Thailand – Addressing the dual threat of wildfires to forest ecosystems and local economies, Ms. Doria Gallia Procuna Ramos, a Master’s student with the Model Forest Project, is conducting vital fieldwork in Northern Thailand. Her research, “Community Leadership and Forest Protection,” highlights a crucial finding: effective local leadership is the backbone of wildfire prevention. By examining two community forests, the study reveals that strong leadership fosters trust and collective action, significantly increasing community participation in fire management. Ms. Ramos’s work demonstrates that community-based strategies not only reduce wildfire risks but also strengthen forest resilience and essential ecosystem services, proving that healthy forests depend on strong local governance.