By not supporting a moratorium on the on-going trapping and shooting of baboons in FSC-certified timber plantations in South Africa, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) International seems to place economic interests above ecological values.

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) in Forests to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

Biodiversity is not about a few endangered species ' but rather about the building blocks of life sustaining all earth's ecosystems. Over 600 scientists attending the 2nd major International Biodiversity Conference held in Cape Town recently said in their concluding statement that 'the fabric out of which the earth system is woven is unravelling at an accelerating rate.'

African governance was praised at UN headquarters in New York when the winners of the 2011 Future Policy Award were announced: Rwanda's National Forest Policy was proclaimed the winner of the 2011 Future Policy Award and The Gambia's Community Forest Policy took home a Silver Award.

The prize is awarded annually by the World Future Council, a foundation that brings the interests of future generations to the centre of policy making. The jury which decided on the winning policies was composed of experts on sustainability and forests from all five continents.

Runners-up were forest policies from Bhutan, Nepal and Switzerland. The US Lacey Act's 2008 amendment, which bans the import of illegally harvested wood, received the second Silver Award.