Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca

Programme Overview

This five-day professional training programme provides specialized technical competencies in degraded catchment management, soil conservation, and dryland afforestation across fragile drylands.⁣​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌⁣ Delivered in Casablanca, Morocco, the curriculum addresses the acute environmental challenges faced by arid and semi-arid zones. Participants examine integrated watershed management models that combine biophysical interventions with sustainable land management practices, drawing upon established regional benchmarks for combating desertification and severe soil loss.

The course focuses on practical engineering and ecological measures, including community-based sand dune stabilization, shelterbelt design, and gully rehabilitation. Forestry officers and catchment managers explore hydrological interactions in drought-prone areas, identifying indigenous, drought-resilient tree species suitable for ecological restoration. Through targeted instruction, participants gain operational understanding of how to restore vital ecosystem services, enhance soil organic matter, and manage scarce water resources effectively within vulnerable catchment areas.

Special emphasis is placed on field monitoring protocols and the application of modern geospatial technologies. Attendees develop skills to deploy geographic information systems, remote sensing indicators, and standardized catchment metrics to track vegetation recovery and erosion control. By connecting ground-level interventions with structured monitoring frameworks, this programme equips professionals to design, execute, and evaluate landscape-scale restoration initiatives in line with international environmental standards and multilateral donor requirements.

Rapid desert encroachment, persistent drought, and severe land degradation continue to undermine rural livelihoods and food security across the Sudano-Sahelian belt.⁣​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌⁣ Large-scale public investment initiatives, such as the multi-million dollar Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, require high-level technical execution capacity to deliver targeted catchment restoration, dune stabilization, and landscape resilience. With multilateral development banks demanding rigorous ecological outcomes and measurable catchment recovery, implementing agencies urgently need specialized personnel capable of deploying proven dryland forestry systems and precise geospatial monitoring frameworks.

Delivered by Risalat Consultants International in Casablanca, Morocco, it combines expert-led sessions, real cases and group work, so that participants can apply what they learn in their own institution.

The Programme Strengthens Institutional Capability

• Principles of hydrology, water budgeting, and run-off dynamics in semi-arid zones
• Geomorphological assessment of degraded catchments and erosion risk mapping
• Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) principles and international operational standards
• Assessing micro-catchment water harvesting potential and run-off interception structures
• Baseline field data requirements and site characterisation for catchment planning
• Dynamics of wind erosion and sand movement in vulnerable dryland landscapes
• Mechanical dune fixation: checkerboards, palisades, and micro-windbreaks
• Biological fixation methods: candidate pioneer species, propagation, and planting density
• Climate and environmental risk assessment
• Adaptation and mitigation planning
• Sector strategies for energy, water and land
• Project design for climate and environmental goals

It is designed for catchment management planners and hydrologists, forestry officers and silvicultural specialists, landscape restoration managers and coordinators and others who want practical, current skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

The Growing Importance of Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca

Climate change, environmental pressure and resource management now shape national plans, budgets and investment decisions. Financiers increasingly expect climate and environmental considerations to be built into projects from the start.

Institutions that can plan for climate risks, manage natural resources well and prepare sound proposals are better placed to protect services and to access the funding available for this work.

Organisations increasingly require professionals capable of:

• Assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets
• Design projects that meet climate and environmental goals
• Prepare proposals that financiers can approve
• Measure and report results credibly
• Work with communities and partners across sectors

Strong climate, environment and natural resources systems help organisations:

• Protect services and infrastructure from climate risks
• Access climate and environmental finance
• Meet national and international commitments
• Use natural resources sustainably

This Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca programme brings these elements together in a practical format, so that participants understand not only what good practice looks like but also how to introduce it in their own setting, with the people and resources they have.

Who Should Attend This Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Training?

This programme is designed for:

• Catchment management planners and hydrologists
• Forestry officers and silvicultural specialists
• Landscape restoration managers and coordinators
• ACReSAL project implementation unit technical staff
• State and federal ministry of environment technical officers
• Soil conservation and erosion control engineers
• Agricultural and natural resource programme managers
• Geospatial and monitoring specialists in dryland programmes
• Environmental specialists in donor-funded land management projects
• Climate change and environment officers
• Energy, water and agriculture sector staff
• Planning and policy officers

The programme suits experienced professionals as well as those moving into new responsibilities. Groups that mix institutions and countries are encouraged, because participants learn a great deal from each other’s experience.

Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Training, participants will be able to:

• Design comprehensive catchment management plans tailored to semi-arid and arid hydrological regimes
• Apply mechanical and biological sand dune stabilization techniques using appropriate vegetative barriers
• Formulate multi-layered shelterbelt and windbreak planting designs adapted to dryland microclimates
• Implement biophysical soil and water conservation measures to control gully erosion and catchment run-off
• Establish field monitoring protocols using satellite imagery and GIS to assess vegetative recovery over time
• Integrate community participatory mechanisms into dryland forestry operations and catchment maintenance
• Align restoration field operations with international environmental and social management frameworks
• Explain the main climate and environmental challenges for their sector
• Assess climate and environmental risks to services and assets
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures

Each objective is practised during the programme through exercises, cases or group work, so that participants leave able to do it, not only to describe it.

Programme Contents and Structure

Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Training Methodology

The training employs an interactive, practitioner-oriented methodology combining technical lectures, engineering design exercises, and real-world case analysis from dryland regions. Participants work with satellite datasets, topographical maps, and silvicultural data to solve practical restoration problems. Daily sessions incorporate structured peer reviews, collaborative drafting of catchment intervention plans, and hands-on demonstrations of geospatial monitoring workflows, ensuring direct applicability to public sector and donor-financed operations.

The programme combines:

• Expert-led sessions on current practice
• Regional and international case studies
• Group work and practical exercises
• Simulations and role plays where relevant
• Discussion of participants' own challenges
• Peer learning across institutions and countries
• Practical tools and templates to take back to work
• Daily reflection and action planning

Before the programme, a short pre-assessment helps the facilitators understand each participant’s role and priorities, so that examples and exercises can be adjusted to the group.⁣​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌⁣ Each day ends with a short reflection in which participants note what they will apply at work.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Training, participants will be able to:

• Capability to produce technically rigorous catchment restoration and erosion control designs
• Competency in executing biological and mechanical sand dune stabilization programmes
• Mastery of shelterbelt design criteria, species selection, and long-term maintenance protocols
• Ability to design and dimension physical check dams and run-off water harvesting systems
• Operational capacity to establish satellite-enabled vegetation and erosion monitoring protocols
• Preparedness to manage donor-funded landscape restoration projects within established safeguard frameworks
• Assess climate and environmental risks
• Plan adaptation and mitigation measures

Participants leave with a personal action plan and practical tools they can use in their institution from the first week back. Institutions that send several participants can use the programme to agree shared methods and templates across teams, which makes improvements easier to sustain.

Institutional Application of Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Training

This programme supports organisations in strengthening:

• Climate and environmental planning
• Project design
• Access to finance
• Results measurement
• Stakeholder involvement

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

• Risk assessments
• Concept notes
• Results frameworks
• Monitoring systems
• Partnership arrangements

The programme is built so that learning moves from the classroom into the institution. Participants work on their own processes and documents where possible, and leave with an action plan that their managers can review and support.

Regional Relevance & Application

Europe

European institutions apply climate, environment and natural resources within detailed regulatory frameworks and reform agendas. Participants from Europe can compare their practice with colleagues from other regions and test how established methods work under different conditions.

Africa

Across Africa, ministries, agencies and project teams working in climate, environment and natural resources increasingly operate alongside donor-financed programmes that expect clear systems and evidence. The programme helps participants adapt good practice to the institutions and resources they work with.

Middle East

In the Middle East, national development strategies and diversification plans place growing demands on climate, environment and natural resources. Participants explore how to build the capability these plans need inside public bodies and companies.

Asia

Institutions across Asia combine rapid growth with ambitious modernisation programmes. Participants from Asia can share their experience of scaling systems quickly and learn from approaches used elsewhere.

Pacific

Small island and Pacific states face particular constraints of size, distance and capacity. The programme highlights practical, proportionate approaches to climate, environment and natural resources that suit smaller institutions.

Holding the programme in Casablanca, Morocco brings participants together away from their daily pressures, so they can compare how climate, environment and natural resources is handled in different settings. The same programme can also be delivered in-house for one institution, in its own country or online, with cases taken from its current work.

Host Country Profile – Morocco

Training programmes and study tours in Casablanca suit government officials, project teams and professionals focusing on international trade, maritime transport, banking and regional economic development.

Studying away from their own country gives participants time to focus, a fresh view of their own institution and the chance to build a network with colleagues from other countries.

Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Training Deliverables

Participants receive support before, during and after the programme, so that preparation, learning and follow-up form one continuous experience.

Before the Programme

• Participant Pre-Assessment
• Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Readiness Assessment
• Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Resource Pack
• Preparatory Reading Materials
• Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory

During the Programme

• Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Welcome Networking Dinner
• Risalat Training Kit (Bag, Bottle, Mug, T-Shirt, Cap, Passport Cover, Pens, Notebook, Magnet & Keychain)
• Comprehensive Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca Training Manual
• Climate Risk Screening Checklist
• Options Appraisal Template
• Concept Note Template
• Results Measurement Template
• Practical Workshops & Simulations
• Group Discussions & Peer Learning
• Daily Lunch and Refreshments
• Full Access to Training Venue Facilities
• Mini Pad / Tablet with Digital Learning Materials
• Field Visit (where applicable)
• Entertaining City Tour

After the Programme

• Certificate of Completion
• Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
• Post-Training Reference Materials
• Funding Readiness Checklist
• Monitoring and Reporting Template
• Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
• Programme Report

Institutions can also request a tailored in-house version of this programme, delivered at their premises or online. Request a proposal.

Common Challenges in Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca, And How This Training Helps

How can institutions assess climate and environmental risks to their services and assets?

The programme addresses this directly on the first day (Day 1: Dryland Hydrology and Catchment Restoration Fundamentals), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions design projects that meet climate and environmental goals?

The programme addresses this directly on the second day (Day 2: Sand Dune Stabilization and Mechanical-Biological Interventions), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions prepare proposals that financiers can approve?

The programme addresses this directly on the third day (Day 3: Dryland Forestry, Shelterbelt Architecture, and Silvicultural Systems), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions measure and report results credibly?

The programme addresses this directly on the fourth day (Day 4: Gully Rehabilitation and Physical Catchment Interventions), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions work with communities and partners across sectors?

The programme addresses this directly on the fifth day (Day 5: Geospatial Monitoring, Field Protocols, and Operational Alignment), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the Watershed Restoration and Dryland Forestry in Semi-Arid Zones in Casablanca programme take place?

It runs from 10 May 2027 to 14 May 2027, in Casablanca, Morocco. The registration deadline is shown at the top of this page.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for catchment management planners and hydrologists, forestry officers and silvicultural specialists, landscape restoration managers and coordinators, ACReSAL project implementation unit technical staff, and others who want practical skills in climate, environment and natural resources.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Risalat Consultants International.

Can this programme be delivered for our institution only?

Yes. We can deliver a tailored in-house version at your premises, in another city or online, built around your own cases. Use the proposal request on this page.

Do I need prior experience in climate, environment and natural resources?

No specialist background is required beyond experience in a related role. A short pre-assessment helps the facilitators adapt the sessions to the group.

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