We are pleased to share our new booklet on Women, Water and Analog Forestry What is the story of the place where you live? How is climate change and environmental degradation affecting your quality of life? Do you have clean water to drink? Where does your water come from? Is there gender equality where you live? These are some of the key questions to explore while reading the booklet on Analog Forestry, Women and Water published by the International Analog Forestry Network in 2020. We invite you to observe the work and inspirational stories in this booklet. May it stir up fields of creative excitement for you going forward on your own projects amidst and beyond the COVID19 crisis. Grover Stock, IAFN Chair Water through the eyes of a woman in Ecuador Working with Analog Forestry in our community and the Ashringa Ecological Reserve is not just about the scientific and technical methods that we are learning about, it is also about maintaining traditional knowledge. Our children see women and men work together in a joint effort to protect water, grow new species of fruits, collect them to then sow their seeds back into the forest for the cycle of life to begin again, with water at the heart of all activities. p.6 Family-led Analog Forestry in Costa Rica Analog Forestry constitutes an effective response to the rapid destruction and degradation of forest ecosystems. Thanks to this methodology applied in Finca Fila Marucha in Londres de Quepos, Costa Rica, in just a few years, a healthy forest has been established on the farm, analogous to the climax forest of the region. p.11 Kitchen gardens in Northern Honduras The kitchen garden is a level 1 analog forest, a system to begin to understand planting and yield. Kitchen gardens allow families to produce a diversity of plants all year-round, increasing both biodiversity and food security. Placing importance on such gardens allows recognition of the work of women, is a source of pride and allows women greater access to decision-making. p.17 Empowering Women as change makers in Analog Forestry in Cameroon Analog Forestry enables farmers the cultivation of their desired crop without having to convert their entire farm into a forested area. In Mbiame community in Cameroon, the rural women rarely inherit land. Despite this challenge, Bridgetta has implemented a 1,5 ha. AF demonstration farm and showcases Analog Forestry to other women during guided visits. p.21 Water Scarcity and Analog Forestry Gardens in Sri Lanka Peter Nalini, a war widow from Cheddikulam Periyapuliyankulam village in Northern Sri Lanka, joined an Analog Forestry program led by Rainforest Rescue international, which changed her life. Now she restores her farm, revitalizes the degraded soil, saves seeds and increases water availability to battle against extreme drought in her region. p.25 Neighborhood-Led Restoration of an Urban Biological Corridor in Costa Rica Finding minimally intervened forest in urban areas is not always easy. In the Los Cipreses community in San José, Costa Rica, hundreds of trees have been planted in 2 hectares over the past five years converting it into an oasis-like green area in the congested urban landscape. As the community purchases the green areas bordering their homes, women are leading the river cleanups, and weekend volunteer activities to clear elephant grass, plant trees and reinforce areas against erosion, becoming a model for other river corridors. p.33 Mangrove restoration through Analog Forestry in Ghana Analog Forestry brings hope to the Volta Delta region of Ghana as the alarming rate of loss of mangrove forests increases. The Development Institute promotes this unique concept to help restore mangrove populations and advocate for restoration while strengthening capacities of local communities, women and youth. p.41 Women as innovative seed guardians in Uganda Margaret Nabatanzi is an innovative and empowered woman farmer who learned to combine traditional knowledge and Analog Forestry to produce golden amaranth and improve food security, nutrition and livelihoods in the Mityana district of Central Uganda. Now she wants to replicate her success and upscale these innovations across her country to increase production and benefit more families from such farming practices. p.47 Analog Forestry Gardens in Rural Togo Each community needs to speak with one voice; actively involving men, women, elders and youth. The Queen Mothers in Togo, who are equivalent to chiefs in a community, learn  to practice Analog Forestry and advocate for improved access to land and natural resources for women, and revision of customary laws in roundtable discussions with village chiefs. p.53 Looking forward to reporting on more highlights from other countries in the months ahead! This newsletter is supported by BothENDS // Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action The IAFN Board and office of the Secretariat, along with its Training Centers in Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Bolivia, Paraguay and Costa Rica integrate the Analog Forestry (AF) methodology with the women’s rights and environmental justice agendas, working with the GAGGA program. Both seek to unite and strengthen womens’ and grassroots organizations’ capacity to promote and enhance the right to clean water, healthy food, and a clean and safe environment.   IAFN-RIFA Apartado 512 Montes de Oca San Jose, Costa Rica 2050 Tel: +506 8488-5260 info@analogforestry.org