The Seventh American Forest Congress met in Washington D.C. in February of 1996 to draw together diverse perspectives and help establish a common vision for the future of forests in the United States. This congress, the seventh since 1882, was unusual in that it was a people’s congress, rather than the typical convention of the current powers in forestry. The Board of Directors of the Congress created five national committees (education, research, management, policy, and communities) to ensure the work begun at the national congress was continued. The Communities Committee addresses the critical sets of issues that link community health and forest management. It amplifies the emerging community voice on forestry issues, and explores the implementation of community forestry in the United States.

The Communities Committee is a diverse group of people from across the United States who believe local participation in stewardship of natural resources is critical to both forest ecosystem health and community well-being. It is comprised of urban foresters, environmental activists, private forest landowners, civil servants, forest stewardship practitioners, professional foresters, forest industry representatives, academics, and researchers who have joined together to promote community forestry in the United States and to give community forestry advocates and practitioners a voice on the national policy agenda.

Communities Committee members are represented by a 25-member steering committee that produces articles and policy briefs on community forestry and works to elevate the national dialogue about community forestry. This group includes representatives from community-based groups, local practitioner organizations, state and regional agencies, universities, and national groups. A larger committee of about 200 individuals makes up the extended Communities Committee. Committee members help develop the steering committee agenda and are encouraged to participate in steering committee activities. They also make their interests heard by nominating steering committee members and participating in the Committee’s listserv and newsletter. Through communication with those individuals the steering committee receives direction for its information and education tasks. The steering committee members strive to introduce community-based perspectives into national processes and provide opportunities for community members to engage in dialogue with national decision-makers, agencies, and interest groups.