The network
Atlas Cedrus, an alliance for the cedar forest
Network of Associations of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve: a regional alliance born of a charter in 2023 and formally established in 2026.
The Atlas Cedrus Network traces its origins to 2023, on the initiative of the Moroccan Association for Ecotourism and Nature Protection (AMEPN), as part of its project to set up the Wetlands Observatory of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve, funded by the CEPF programme (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund).
On 16 March 2023, during a study day on sustainable tourism and nature protection organised by the Higher School of Technology of Khénifra, the associations active in the territory signed the network’s founding Charter, laying down the founding principles of a regional alliance dedicated to preserving the cedar forest as a national and world natural heritage.
The network then went through a structuring phase led by a preparatory committee, with a view to moving from informal to formal status. This process was supported by an Internal Capacity-Building Plan, carried out under the AMUSSU programme (Strategic Support Programme for Civil Society, co-funded by the European Union) and led by the Drâa-Tafilalet Centre for Sustainable Development (CDTDD), a founding member association of the network.
The network was formally established at its Constituent General Assembly of 28 February 2026, held at the Higher School of Technology of Khénifra, which adopted the statutes of the “Network of Associations of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve”, known in its communications as “Atlas Cedrus”.
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2016
UNESCO recognition
The cedar forest becomes a Biosphere Reserve.
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2023
Founding charter
16 March, Higher School of Technology of Khénifra.
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2023–2025
Structuring
Preparatory committee and capacity-building plan (AMUSSU).
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2026
Constituent General Assembly
28 February, Khénifra: adoption of the statutes.
The Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve was recognised by UNESCO in 2016. It covers approximately 1,350,000 hectares, straddling three administrative regions — Fès-Meknès, Béni Mellal-Khénifra and Drâa-Tafilalet — and includes the provinces of Ifrane, Khénifra and Midelt.
The network’s territory of action includes three national parks: Ifrane National Park, Khénifra National Park and Eastern High Atlas National Park.
This territory is a major socio-ecological area, dominated by the Atlas cedar, but now facing profound change. Environmentally, climate change means less rainfall, higher temperatures and a gradual deterioration of the conditions for the cedar’s natural regeneration, compounded by human pressures — overgrazing, overexploitation of forest resources, informal practices. Socio-economically, the cedar-forest territories remain marked by the vulnerability of some populations and by difficult access to sustainable economic alternatives.
- Ifrane National Park
- Khénifra National Park
- Eastern High Atlas National Park
Vision for 2030
“By 2030, the Atlas Cedrus Network aims to become a reference player in structuring the territorial dynamics linked to the cedar forest, by contributing to the production of knowledge, the emergence of local initiatives and the improvement of public policy frameworks.”
Missions
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Contribute to protecting natural resources and biodiversity.
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Contribute to the fight against the effects of climate change.
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Enrich and strengthen scientific research and environmental education.
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Strengthen the capacities of local stakeholders.
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Support sustainable development and improve the living conditions of local populations.
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Advocate before public and private institutions.
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Contribute to the drafting, monitoring and evaluation of public policies concerning the cedar forest.
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Develop partnerships and cooperation at local, regional, national and international levels.
Positioning
The network defines itself as:
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a platform for coordinating and networking the stakeholders working in the cedar-forest territories;
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a space for producing, structuring and sharing knowledge on socio-ecological dynamics;
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a framework for testing and promoting local initiatives.
“The network is not meant to replace existing actors or to act as a direct project operator, except in specific justified cases. It acts primarily as a facilitator, a structuring force and a catalyst for territorial dynamics.”
Strategic Development Plan 2026–2030
Our values
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An alliance serving a common heritage
The cedar forest, a national and world natural heritage, whose preservation and promotion are our reason for being.
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A shared moral commitment
Pooling efforts between cedar-forest initiatives, sharing their experience and building a common vision of associative action.
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Concerted and participatory governance
Building a decision-making circuit between cedar-forest initiatives and steering a common governance of efforts.
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Non-partisan action
The network is a sustainable-development alliance, far from any ideology and from any politicisation of its action.
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A deliberate openness
The network remains open to the membership of any association, cooperative or professional association working for the cause of the reserve.
Governance
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Executive Board
The Executive Board runs the network between two general assemblies. Its composition — names, roles and contact details — will be published here once the posts are filled following the Constituent General Assembly.
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Thematic committees and Associative Lab
Thematic committees and an Associative Lab contribute to producing knowledge and analysing the socio-ecological dynamics of the territory.
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National and territorial coordination
A national coordination and territorial coordinations, one per province, link the network with field initiatives.
More details