I. First progress report: (December 6, 2006):
Activities undertaken:
1. Project members? capacity increased through collective planning and study tours
2. Project location reforested with native species suitable for consumption
3. Conservation zone demarcated in front of Wat Nong Tham Temple

Results of activities:
1. 18 farmers in Tambol Pa Makharp are practicing sustainable agriculture
2. 28 ha of marginal land have been reforested with four native species suitable for consumption
3. Temple staff have agreed to oversee the conservation zone, into which 4,500 fish have been released

II. Monitoring visit from two NCS members and the NC (January 24, 2007):
Shortly after arriving, the NC and NCS members toured target village Baan Nongtham. A local project leader had volunteered his land for the establishment of a no-burn, chemical-free demonstration plot, and an organic compost production facility. The facility had been used for training purposes; the compost produced?50 tons annually?was shared amongst project members. According to one leader, plans were in the works to scale up the compost production facility model throughout the tambol, thus more effectively combating land and water degradation.

The conservation zone had been demarcated along a 50-meter stretch of creek bordering Baan Nongtham?s Buddhist temple. The abbot and villagers seemed very excited about this activity. The Pa Makharp Tambol Administrative Organization was similarly enthusiastic; they approved THB 7,000 for further support.

In spite of limited time to interact with project leaders, the visiting team concurred that progress had been made, and that project leaders? hard work would spur a transition from the current environmentally-harmful method of paddy farming to a more sustainable approach.

III. Mid-course evaluation workshop (February 20-22, 2007):
After a brief presentation by the National Coordinator (NC) reiterating the objectives of the GEF SGP, representatives from each project spent 30 minutes explaining project background, activities undertaken, immediate results and challenges. The National Coordinator encouraged candid discussion of problems and problem-solving strategies, and each presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Project representatives also spent an afternoon interacting with community members from THA-05-14 (Local Scenes for Environment Protection). Workshop attendants learned about the old ways of life in the central area and how local ecologies had been altered. The final day was allotted to the two remaining project presentations, the National Steering Committee's observations and suggestions, and the National Coordinator's reminder of next steps.

Progress-related observations at Workshop:
--Of 14 projects, 12 were on time regarding activities and submission of reports. All were capable of articulating details of their activities and immediate results, which were deemed promising.
--Several projects secured financial support from other stakeholders.
--Leaders from at least four projects demonstrated increased capacity, both technically and institutionally. (National Steering Committee members expressed special satisfaction with this.)
--Eleven projects used Power Point and audio-visual equipment; the remaining three presented sets of photos.

IV. Second progress report (July 30, 2007):
Activities undertaken:
1. Learning centers serving 20 families established; centers are also outlets for the sale of native tree species
2. Organic compost produced
3. Campaign against field burning launched
4. Wood vinegar produced at five different locations in the project area
5. Participatory evaluation conducted

Results of activities:
1. Two knowledge-sharing events held at learning centers
2. 40 tons of organic compost produced, and used in 56-ha paddy field; no burning occurred
3. Over 100 litres of wood vinegar produced, and applied in 8.8-ha paddy field
4. All core leaders capable of demonstrating sustainable agriculture (and relevant technical skills)