Global Forest Watch to Provide Unprecedented Monitoring of Forest

WASHINGTON — On February 20, the World Resources Institute (WRI) will launch Global Forest Watch (GFW), a dynamic online forest monitoring and alert system that empowers people everywhere to better manage forests. Created by WRI, Google, and more than 40 partners, GFW unites satellite technology, open data, and crowd sourcing to guarantee access to timely and reliable information about forests.

The event, at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., will include leaders in government, business, and civil society who will unveil the new online platform and discuss its implications for forests worldwide.

Featured speakers include: Felipe Calderón, Former President of Mexico and WRI Board Member; Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO, WRI; Dr. Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson, GEF; Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State; Juan Carlos Jintiach, member of the Shuar nation of Ecuador and Coordinator of COICA; Rebecca Moore, Engineering Manager, Google Earth Outreach; and Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator, USAID.

The event will include video messages by: Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever; Jane Goodall, Founder, Jane Goodall Institute; Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP; Heru Prasetyo, Head of REDD+ Agency, Indonesia; and others.

WHAT

Launch of Global Forest Watch, including high-level comments, demonstrations, panel discussions and video messages

Twitter Hashtag: #GFWlaunc

WHO

Hosted by Dr. Andrew Steer, President & CEO, WRI

Featured speakers & panelists:

Felipe Calderón, Former President of Mexico and WRI Board Member

Molly Fogarty, Head of Government Relations, Nestle USA

Dr. Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility

Juan Carlos Jintiach, Member of the Shuar nation of Ecuador and Coordinator, COICA

Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Ken MacDicken, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Lawrence MacDonald, Vice President, Center for Global Development

Rebecca Moore, Engineering Manager, Google Earth Outreach

Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President, Conservation Science, Jane Goodall Institute

Dr. Rajiv Shah, Administrator, USAID

Dr. Nigel Sizer, Director, Global Forest Initiative, WRI

Dr. Carlos Souza, Senior Researcher, Imazon

Dr. David Thau, Senior Developer Advocate, Google Earth Engine

Dr. John Townshend, Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland

WHEN

Thursday, February 20, 2014

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST

A continental breakfast will be served before the event, and a light lunch afterwards

Keynote speeches, demonstration, and media Q&A will take place between 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Media and guests should arrive by 9:00 a.m. to register

WHERE

Newseum

555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 7th Floor

Washington, D.C. 20001

Metro stops: Archives Metro Station (Green/Yellow Lines)/Judiciary Square Metro Station (Red Line)

RSVP required to [email protected]

For questions or to set up interviews, please contact: Daniel Melling, WRI; Tel. (202) 729-7769 ; [email protected]

Source: World Resources Institute

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