The development and publication of this manual was made possible by the generous
support of the American people through the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
It was developed in both Thai and English languages during the “Growing the Future For
People and Wildlife: Sustainable Livelihoods for Ex-Poachers in Southeast Asia” project
designed to reduce poaching in the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex in North-
Eastern Thailand. This complex one of Thailand's largest remaining intact corridors of forest
(stretching to the Cambodian border) and a habitat refuge for endangered Asian elephants,
tigers, White-handed and Pileated gibbons, and more than 800 other species of fauna. The
project, including this manual, mushroom cultivation training for forest-adjacent communities
and other activities to promote uptake of eco-friendly alternative livelihoods across some of
Asia’s most vulnerable landscapes, was funded by the USFWS Great Ape Conservation
Fund and Asian Elephant Conservation Fund.
The contents of this manual are the responsibility of Freeland and do not necessarily reflect
the views of USFWS or the United States Government.