Peter van der Hout – Senior Forestry Expert
“I have always been captivated by the conservation and sustainable management of forested landscapes. This passion really ignited when I first set foot in the tropical rainforests of Guyana and Suriname, where I began my professional career. Struck by their beauty and the apparent need for improved management practices, I realized the critical importance of involving local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders. True conservation and sustainable forest management can only be achieved through collaborative efforts. Since joining Form International, I have been introduced to the transformative world of nature-based solutions, a very exciting field. In addition, working with the talented young professionals at Form International has been a pleasure, as their fresh perspectives invigorate me. The other way round, my 35 years of global forestry experience can provide them with valuable guidance to become well-rounded professionals.”
Peter is a seasoned forester, trained at Wageningen University, with a PhD in plant ecology from the University of Utrecht and over 35 years of experience in sustainable natural forest management. His expertise includes FSC certification, EU-FLEGT, Reduced Impact Logging (RIL), forest management planning, and forest regulations and operational guidelines. Since 2021, Peter has been with Form International, working on research projects for FSC, carbon certification feasibility studies in Tanzania and Mozambique, and developing roadmaps for the European Regulation on Deforestation-free products. Furthermore, he produced forest management plans in Belize and advised a Kenyan company on FSC certification for its outgrower operation. For FAO, Peter designed a GEF Project for Jamaica’s Mangrove Ecosystems in 2022 and is currently working on a GEF project to involve Indigenous People in the protection and co-management of intact forest landscapes in Guyana.