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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
95/APRIL EARTH DAY 25 EVENT AT THE CSD-III





                      EARTH DAY 25 EVENT AT THE CSD-III: 
                    THE FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INGENUITY 
                   OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES - SUCCESS STORIES 
 
SUMMARY 
	A special presentation and reception in honor of Earth Day 25 
focusing on environmental success stories of native communities in the 
U.S. and throughout the Western Hemisphere*. The U.S. Delegation to 
Third Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, principals, 
native group representatives and other special guests celebrate 
contributions to sustainable development of indigenous groups of the 
Americas. The event will include exhibits, films, and a special dance 
performance. 
	 
PURPOSE 
	Several indigenous groups in the Americas offer keen insights 
about sustainable development, biodiversity conservation and management 
of natural resources.  Learning about these practices and perspectives 
can help us improve our environmental stewardship.  Furthermore, the 
United States, given the sophisticated legislation and experience of the 
Native Americans, has much to share with the international community and 
domestic audiences on the subject.  The CSD conference and the 25th 
anniversary of Earth Day are fitting occasions to advance this theme of 
cooperation toward a sustainable future. 
 
PARTICIPANTS & FACILITATORS 
	Department of State (Ambassador Mark Hambley, Special 
Representative to the CSD), Department of Interior (Bureau of Indian 
Affairs), USDA, USUN, AID; representatives of selected indigenous groups 
throughout the Hemisphere*; non-governmental organizations supporting 
indigenous environmental initiatives. 
 
WHERE 
	United States Mission (12th Floor) to the United Nations, 
799 United Nations Plaza, New York City. 
 
WHEN 
	During the Commission on Sustainable Development meeting (3rd 
Session). April 20th, 6:00pm to 8:00pm. 
 
SUCCESS STORIES 
	*Some examples of success stories illustrating the convergence of 
conservation, principled behavior and innovative economic progress 
include: 1) revitalization of tropical forests in Panama by the Kuna; 
2)innovative forestry by the Menominee tribe in Wisconsin; 3) 
sustainability practices of the Haisla in British Columbia, Canada; 4) 
Hoopa Tribe involvement in the Old Growth Forests of the North West; 5) 
rituals and dance by representatives of the Quichua Indians of Ecuador. 
 
 
 
CONTACT LIST FOR CSD-III/EARTH DAY 25/FORESTRY OF INDIGENOUS GROUPS 
 
Government
 
Interior- 
Cathy Washburn (#208-3101 FAX501-8901) 
Will give proposal to Babbitt's COS Monday; if not Babbitt, maybe Ida 
Deer (head of Bureau of Indian Affairs); will speak middle of next week 
 
USUN- 
Bisa Williams (#4-4296 FAX4-9141) 
She says that would need an official proposal sent up.  It's something 
Amb Victor Morario may be interested.  They don't generally have money 
for this kind of thing.  The logistics can work. 
 
AID- 
Dan Putterman (703-875-4622) 
Biodiversity prospecting; has info on some success stories (Mike Benge 
for example is sending over Jan '94 report called Natural Resources 
Management on Tribal Lands; also examples b/w groups & private sector- 
Chile/Argentina American Cyanamid/Posters/Joshua Rosenthal NIH #301-402-
6522) 
Other contacts: Jeff Brokah (Summit of the Americas); Mike Philly; Twig 
Johnson. 
 
U.S. Forest Service- 
Walter Donne (205-4972) 
Very involved with efforts here and internationally pertaining to 
forestry and indigenous groups; he's organized workshops on the subject. 
 
World Bank- 
Shelton Davis (473-3413) 
engaged 
 
UNDP- 
Paul Amar 
 
USIA- 
Tom Mullins 
A worldnet on indigenous groups in Latin Americas (we have the Video) 

 
Organizations
 
Amazon Coalition- 
Melina Selverston(637-9718) 
good ideas of stories, potential speakers and materials; Mtg. Wednesday  
 
Inter-American Diologue- 
Donna Lee Van Cott(822-9022) 
Mtg. Wed 
 
Rain Forest Action Network 
Sharon Wright 
stories; video 
 
Others- 
Conservation International, World Resources Institute 
National Museum of the American Indian, Indian Law Center, Inter-
American Foundation, Healing Forest Conservancy 
 
Private Sector Contacts- Pharmaceutical Companies 
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