Yadfon Association: is a non-government organization based in Trang Province, southern Thailand, which works with local communities to promote the sustainable management of natural resources.
Number of Staff: 7

OBJECTIVES:
1.) To strengthen community leaders & people’s organizations in coastal fishing villages in Trang in order that communities will be able to manage their own resources in a sustainable manner.
2.) To work as a facilitator in coastal fishing communities to promote the protection & rehabilitation of coastal resources such as mangrove forest, seagrass beds and coral reefs through raising awareness of destructive fishing gear/techniques, establishment of marine conservation zones & community mangrove forests, workshops, training and information decimation.
3.) To support community economic well being and improved income generation through supporting alternative income generation projects such as fish cage aquaculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and cooperative purchasing groups.
4.) To provide input, analysis and feedback on government policies, regulations, laws and infrastructure development projects effecting coastal fishing communities, and environmental health of the coastal marine environment.
5.) To act as a centre for local, regional and international cooperation and networking by sharing information, facilitating activities, providing training, participating in forums, workshops, conferences, sitting on advisory committees, and hosting visiting groups and individuals. This cooperation effort extents to other NGOs, government agencies, academic institutions, researches, private sector institutions, international development agencies & funders, and the media.

PROGRAMMES:
I.) Rural Development and Environmental Rehabilitation in Sikao & Kantang Districts:
This project has been carried out since 1985 in 17 fisherfolk villages in Sikao & Kantang Districts to improve the quality of life and the self-sufficiency of the fisherfolk in the project area. Initially a pilot project was carried out with seven villages in Sikao District which was followed by project expansion in 1994 to 10 more villages in Kantang District. Through empowerment of local communities villages were able to develop strategies to deal with resource management problems. Habitat protection, social forestry, fauna conservation, sustainable fisheries practices, fishery legislation enforcement, village networking, public campaigning were some of the resulting activities in the target villages.

2.) Sustainable Development of Small Scale Fisherfolk Communities on the Andaman Sea Coast:
This 3 year project started in September 1995 targets 13 villages in 3 districts and one sub-district of Trang province, promoting an improved coastal marine ecosystem, co-managed by communities, following a path of sustainable and ecologically compatible development. It is envisioned that communities will have an improved living standard and will be empowered to deal with a range of problems facing them. Project activities involves community fisheries management, social forestry, strengthening community organizations, awareness raising activities on local and environmental issues, environmental protection: training and local networking, women’s groups, and revolving funds. The conservation of marine coastal resources including mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs is an import componet of this programme.

3.) Trang River Watershed Conservation Project:
This project started in 1994 raises awareness about the Trang River in terms of water pollution, deforestation and infrastructure projects which threaten the river’s environmental health. This project is particularly focused on students as agents of concern and action amongst the larger general community including government and business. The Trang River committee has organized seminars, displays, marches, river boat trips and youth camps. Nippa, sago and bamboo forest conservation has recently received special attention.

In 1996 Yadfon initiated a Southern Rivers Conservation Network which includes the Langsuan River in Chumpon Province, and the Tapi River in Surat Thani Province. From the experience gained from the Trang River Watershed Conservation Project, Yadfon Association saw the need for urgent action on river conservation in other areas - the upper south and the gulf coast so a pioneering network was established to deal with the growing threats to the health of watersheds in southern Thailand

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