Abstract

Since 2002 current University of Cambridge, Department of Geography researchers, in partnership with scientists from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, have been working advisors to Bhutan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Forests and Parks. Originally invited to asses a perceived “forest decline” this collaborations activities now extend to providing education and capacity to Bhutan’s young and growing community of environmental managers and scientists. In this short presentation I will present some of the many highlights from this project, including visits to the classrooms, the forests, and Parliament. Tucked in amongst the scenery, will be some science describing results in both applied and theoretical Dendrochronology, a tool apply suited for the world’s youngest democracy with a self-imposed, constitutional mandate requiring national forest cover never fall below 60%, and land-cover under conservation below 50.