Training Course on One Health Approach to Forestry, Agriculture, and Ecosystem Management

The One Health approach recognizes the deep interconnection between human health, animal health, plants, and the environment. Forests and agricultural systems are not just sources of food and raw materials but also vital regulators of air, water, biodiversity, and climate. However, unsustainable land-use practices, deforestation, habitat loss, and poorly managed agricultural intensification have led to environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change, and the rise of zoonotic diseases.

This training emphasizes the integrated management of forestry, agriculture, and ecosystems under the One Health framework. It highlights how land use and resource exploitation affect the delicate balance between humans, animals, and nature. Participants will learn to design and implement policies and practices that foster sustainable forestry, climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity protection, and resilient ecosystems while minimizing health and environmental risks.

The course draws from global experiences (WHO, FAO, UNEP frameworks) and local realities to help governments, NGOs, research institutions, and communities adopt holistic strategies. Through lectures, group discussions, case studies, and field-based exercises, participants will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental and health challenges in an integrated, practical, and sustainable manner.

Participants who successfully complete the course will receive Certificate of Participation.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the One Health approach and its relevance to forestry, agriculture, and ecosystem management.
2. Analyze the interactions between land use, agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, and public health.
3. Apply sustainable forestry and agricultural practices that minimize zoonotic disease risks.
4. Explore ecosystem services (water, soil, carbon storage) and their role in human and animal health.
5. Develop integrated strategies for managing deforestation, land degradation, and climate change.
6. Implement biodiversity conservation and restoration within agricultural landscapes.
7. Strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration between forestry, agriculture, health, and environment stakeholders.
8. Identify policies, legal frameworks, and financing mechanisms supporting One Health approaches.
9. Use monitoring and evaluation tools for assessing the health and sustainability of ecosystems.

Course Duration

5 Days (with interactive sessions, case studies, and field applications).

Who Should Attend

• Forestry and agriculture professionals
• Environmental health practitioners
• Policy makers and regulators in agriculture, forestry, and health
• Conservation NGOs and development agencies
• Climate change and biodiversity experts
• Researchers and students in environmental sciences and public health
• Community leaders and extension officers working in agro-ecological systems

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of One Health

• Principles and global relevance of One Health
• Interlinkages between human, animal, and ecosystem health
• Case studies of disease emergence from poor land use

Module 2: Forestry and One Health

• Forests as reservoirs of biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Impacts of deforestation and forest degradation on health
• Sustainable forest management strategies
• Forest conservation and zoonotic disease prevention

Module 3: Agriculture and One Health

• Agroecosystems and their role in human and animal health
• Impacts of intensive agriculture on ecosystems
• Climate-smart and regenerative agriculture practices
• Agroforestry as a bridge between agriculture and forest health

Module 4: Ecosystem Management for Resilience

• Watershed management and water security
• Soil health, fertility, and its contribution to food security
• Biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration
• Nature-based solutions to climate and health risks

Module 5: Integrating Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

• Emerging zoonoses and land-use change
• Role of wildlife and livestock in ecosystem health
• Strategies to reduce disease transmission at the human-animal-environment interface
• Food systems resilience through One Health

Module 6: Policy, Legal, and Institutional Frameworks

• International frameworks: WHO, FAO, UNEP, CBD, SDGs
• National policies linking forestry, agriculture, and health
• Financing mechanisms for One Health programs (Green Climate Fund, Carbon Credits, Donor Programs)
• Strengthening institutional collaboration and governance

Module 7: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Sharing

• Indicators for measuring ecosystem health and sustainability
• Tools for monitoring biodiversity and land use
• Participatory approaches to ecosystem management
• Data sharing and cross-sector collaboration

Module 8: Case Studies, Field Practicals, and Action Planning

• Best practices from Africa and beyond
• Field-based learning on forestry-agriculture-ecosystem linkages
• Group discussions and scenario simulations
• Developing integrated One Health action plans for participants’ institutions

General Notes

• The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.
• The participants should be reasonably proficient in English as all facilitation and course materials will be offered in English.
• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• The training will be held at Kincaid Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments and lunch.
• All participants will additionally cater for their travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
• Accommodation and airport pickup are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training coordinator at Email: training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org or Tel: +254 724592901
• This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our Kincaid Training Centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254 724592901 or send mail to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org

Payments are due upon registration. Payment should be sent to our Bank account before commencement of training and proof of payment sent to training@kincaiddevelopmentcenter.org