Overview
Although Jordan is a water-poor country with limited green areas, it has considerable biodiversity, beautiful landscapes and a strong network of protected areas.  Located between three continents, Jordan’s basalt deserts, pine-oak forests and colorful coral reefs attract wildlife and extraordinary plant species that are unique to the world.  The Dead Sea, the Great Rift Valley, and the Red Sea are considered to be of global importance for marine species, migratory birds and medicinal products. 

Why Does the US Forest Service Work in Jordan?
Jordan is one of the least forested countries in the world and many of the native forests and afforested areas that do exist are jeopardized by fire, disease, slow rates of regeneration and increasing loss of unique native species.  Water scarcity often dominates the discussion of natural resource threats in Jordan, it is important to note the interconnectedness of vegetation and water resources.  Landscape level conservation should be an important aspect of Jordan’s water conservation strategy, as it can help ensure conservation of rain water currently lost during run-off and evaporation.  Protected areas in Jordan suffer similar threats to those in most places in the world, including recreation overuse, encroachment and competing management objectives. 

Through support and partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Embassy in Amman, the USFS cooperates with counterpart organizations in Jordan, both governmental and nongovernmental, to help conserve Jordan’s biodiversity, forests and other areas of ecological importance.  Activities have focused on a wide range of issues, including watershed management, forest conservation, rangeland management, institutional strengthening, protected area management and environmental law enforcement.

Recent US Forest Service Activities
Forest conservation and climate change adaptation through a national forest inventory
USFS has assisted natural resource managers in a variety of forest conservation activities including forest inventory, monitoring, recreation and general forest planning.  In 2008 and 2009, teams of USFS ecologists visited Dibeen, one of the last unspoiled pine-oak habitats in the Near East, to survey and inventory the area with Reserve ecologists.  Most recently, an interdisciplinary USFS team convened partners in the forestry sector in Jordan to begin planning a national forest inventory.  Baseline inventory data is crucial for making informed decisions on land use, vegetation, biomass and carbon, timber resources, wildlife habitat, and fire risk.  Recent baseline studies do not exist to date and this data will support conservation action. 

Rangeland restoration through rehabilitation and adaptive management
The Forest Service provides technical support to the Hashemite Fund on community rangeland rehabilitation projects for marginalized Bedouin communities.  The focus is on rehabilitating extremely degraded rangelands.  The project is unique because it is designed to work without using fences to exclude grazing animals.  One site has successfully regenerated native plants not recorded in Jordan for over 60 years.  The projects emphasize the revival of traditional grazing practices and water harvesting systems.  In doing so, the land has revitalized micro-climates, soil health, wildlife, water infiltration, seed regeneration and aesthetic value.  Local Bedouins are changing land-use practices through income incentives and alternative revenue streams, innovations key to adapting to climate change.

Biodiversity conservation by strengthening protected area management
USFS collaborates with RSCN on protected area management for the Kingdom’s nature reserves.  Recently, a USFS/RSCN team was tasked with creating a master plan for the Shaumari Reserve, Jordan’s oldest protected area and breeding site for the endangered Arabian Oryx.  As a follow-up activity, USFS will send a team of animal care managers to Shaumari this year to help develop an animal care unit at the Reserve.  Additionally, USFS has sponsored Jordanian participation in the US based International Seminar on Protected Area Management.

Institutional strengthening and capacity building in environmental law enforcement
In 2007, USFS led an effort to facilitate a visioning and stakeholder workshop for Jordan’s newly formed Environment Rangers.  In 2009, Rangers from Jordan visited the US on a study tour as part of a new environmental plan in Jordan to observe different conservation models and ranger strategies for protecting designated areas.  In order to maintain engagement, USFS will send a team of law enforcement officers to Jordan this September to identify training needs for patrol rangers in natural areas.  Additionally, USFS is interested in creating training curriculum for the Rangers on education and awareness-based environmental compliance in Jordan’s forests and grasslands.

Partners

• US Agency for International Development
• Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature
• Al-Shejarah Society
• Hashemite Fund for the Development of the Jordan Badia
• Ministry of Environment
• Ministry of Agriculture-Forestry Department
• Jordan University of Science and Technology
• Environment Rangers
• US Embassy in Amman
• US Peace Corps

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