Sara J. Scherr of EcoAgriculture Partners lays out the past, present and future of the landscapes approach, and how it fits into the future we all want during the opening session of the Landscapes for People, Food and Nature in Africa Conference

1. Landscapes in Africa:
Trajectory of Change
Sara J. Scherr, EcoAgriculture Partners
Chair, Landscapes for People, Food and Nature

2. A Look Back at ILM in Africa….
Traditional Africa: Multi-functional landscapes
20th century: Single-goal land policy, research, investment
2004: 1st Int’l Ecoagriculture Conference, Nairobi—
uncovering widespread innovation
2011: Launch of Landscapes for People, Food & Nature
2012: Global Review, LPFN Working Groups underway
2014: LPFN in Africa Conference: What have we learned,
what needs to be done now?

3. Integrated Landscape
Initiatives in Africa, 2013
• A survey of 87 ILIs in 33 of
48 countries
• Multiple goals (agriculture +
biodiversity + water +
livelihoods + climate
adaptation/mitigation)
• Multiple stakeholders
• Successes in coordination &
planning, local capacity,
rehabilitation of degraded
lands, new protected areas
* Milder, et al 2014 1 15

4. The Way Forward….
• Improve landscape governance
• Generate business opportunities through ILM
• Build a policy framework that supports ILM
• Mobilize financing for ILM
• Strengthen capacities for ILM
• Prioritize research needed for ILM