Overview
The Arab Republic of Egypt is situated at the juncture of four bio-regions, endowing the country with a rich diversity of terrestrial habitats, flora and fauna.  Such diversity, in the heart of the Saharo-Sindian Desert Belt, stems from the fresh water habitat of the Nile River basin and 1500 miles of coastline along the Mediterranean and Red Seas.  These habitats host 320 species of migratory bird species on an annual basis and 150 species as resident breeders.  With the Sinai Peninsula serving as a land bridge connecting the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe, Egypt is a key stop over point for annual bird migrations with more than 30 identified Important Bird Areas (IBAs).

In 1983, legislation created the legal framework allowing for the designation of maritime and terrestrial protected areas.  During the subsequent 27 years, Egypt has developed a national system of 27 protected areas that represents over 15% of its land area, over 70% of the country’s diverse habitats, and includes many of the IBAs.  Sixteen additional sites are currently being studied for future designation as national protected areas.  

The population of Egypt relies on the Nile River for almost all of its fresh water supply, including potable water and agricultural and industrial uses.  As demand increases, the government of Egypt is focusing more and more on improving irrigation efficiency in the agricultural sector and identifying secondary uses for using treated waste water to irrigate forest plantations and municipal landscaping.

Natural Resource Management Issues
International tourism, agriculture, and industry are major drivers of the Egyptian economy.  Foreign tourists flock to Egypt in winter months to enjoy the striking desert landscapes, beautiful coastlines with constant sun, and rich base of cultural and historical antiquities.  Consequently, the national system of protected areas is facing increasing pressures from within and outside of its boundaries; unmanaged recreation activities damage the marine and terrestrial resource base and developers are eying the beautiful landscapes and coastlines of Egypt’s parks and protected areas. 

Meanwhile, industry and agriculture rely heavily on the Nile River’s supply of fresh water to drive growth and production.  Although the Nile provides a seemingly inexhaustible supply of fresh water, water demand may soon outweigh supply.  Concerns about water quality further complicate the issue of water resource security.  The increasing levels of tourism, agricultural production and industrial development are straining Egypt’s natural resource base. 

Egypt’s national parks and water resources are managed by highly skilled and motivated staff, who confront these many and often overwhelming threats daily.  Infrastructure, resources, and policies must be targeted to support natural resource managers as they address these myriad threats.

Why Does the US Forest Service Work in Egypt?
The Forest Service works with partners throughout the Middle East to manage recreation activities that also promote environmental stewardship in protected areas and community managed landscapes.  These activities can become popular destinations for the local population and tourists by providing access to and understanding of areas of natural beauty and/or cultural significance.   Tourists who are unfamiliar with an area are generally curious and appreciate learning about the local environment and cultural resources.  And engaging youth in conservation education activities is an important piece of an individual’s personal development.  Exposing youth to conservation activities at a young age introduces them to new opportunities and careers that they might not have considered earlier; inspiring future generations of conservationists is critical to safeguarding and building on the environmental gains of today. 

What the US Forest Service is Doing to Help?

The US Forest Service (USFS), through its International Programs (USFS/IP), provides technical expertise to partners around the globe on a suite of natural resource management issues. Since 2006, USFS/IP has been working closely with Egypt’s Nature Conservation Sector (NCS) to increase natural resource management expertise in Egypt through a technical exchange program in several of Egypt’s national parks of ecological and heritage significance. 

Together, the USFS and NCS implement a comprehensive and multi-thematic program of technical exchange that addresses Egypt’s most pressing natural resource management issues. This cooperation examines issues of local, national, and global importance.  Local activities that focus on ecotourism, environmental outreach, and recreation management in Egypt’s protected areas, also provide a platform for USFS and NCS managers to jointly address the globally important issue of migratory bird conservation.  Activities encourage professional relationships between both agencies’ staffs, continued dialogue between visits, and informal learning opportunities.  All of these efforts are aimed at coupling nature conservation initiatives with enhanced economic opportunities for surrounding communities.  Building the management capacity of NCS rangers and promoting economic development are essential for securing the long-term sustainability of Egypt’s protected areas and natural heritage.

Recent US Forest Service Activities
The USFS, the NCS and local partners have embarked on a multi-faceted program of collaboration in Egypt including the following activities:

1. Capacity Building for Natural Resource Managers:  The USFS hosts NCS rangers at the International Seminar on Protected Area Management and the International Seminar at the Watershed Management.  USFS technical specialists travel to Egypt and work with NCS staff to develop nature-based tourism activities that promote economic development with minimal impact on the natural resource they seek to showcase.  The Forest Service, in collaboration with the NCS Red Sea Rangers, developed an interpretive master plan for Wadi El Gemal National Park. (<Link to Interp. Plan>)

2. Bird Habitat Conservation:  Wadi El Gemal National Park is home to the largest documented population of breeding Sooty falcons in the world and is an Important Bird Area of Egypt.  USFS specialists have worked with NCS rangers to outline strategies for marketing this unique area to the tourism sector while protecting the sensitive habitat of the Falcon population.  In partnership with PRBO Conservation Science, the Forest Service hosts NCS rangers at the Palomarin Field Station in California for three-month trainings on monitoring migratory bird populations and interpreting this work to public audiences. 
   
   The Nature Conservation Sector and Nature Conservation Egypt are is also partners in the Forest Service migratory bird conservation initiative across the Rift Valley Flyway.  This program focuses on strengthening the network of conservation organizations along the flyway and building the capacity of nongovernmental organizations, communities, and land managers to take part and engage in conservation and education activities. (<Link to Bird Program>)

3. Interpretation and Conservation Education:  The Forest Service works with NCS rangers on interpretive programming at protected areas throughout Egypt.  Interpretation helps people understand the natural environment and cultural assets, promotes stewardship of the environment, and allows individuals to make choices regarding their recreation activities that are consistent with environmental protection.  A NCS ranger from Wadi Rayan Protected Area participated in a two-week interpretive training program through the USDA Cochran Fellowship Program.  The Forest Service subsequently conducted a follow-up training in Egypt for NCS rangers that focused on interpretive planning. 

4. Research: Land management policy and decisions must be based on sound scientific principles.  As such, the USFS is seeking to partner US-based scientists with Egyptian counterparts to further the scientific capabilities of both countries and guide land managers in the decision making process.  Potential topics for collaboration include: rangeland management, water quality, and migratory birds.

The US Forest Service is currently exploring these and other natural resource conservation issues in Egypt, looking for areas where the expertise of both countries can be mutually beneficial and promote the sustainable management and conservation of our global environment.

Partners

• Nature Conservation Sector of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency

• Nature Conservation Egypt

• PRBO Conservation Science

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