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Characteristics of Community Based Forestry

Excerpt from Statement by Lynn Jungwirth, Chair of the Communities Committee, at the Senate Learning Session on Community Based Forestry May 22, 1997 convened by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (sub-committee on Forests and Public Land Management)

Community-based forestry is about sound environmental policy. It is not about subverting environmental laws.

Community-based forestry is about a meaningful role for a local voice, local knowledge, and local experience in decision-making processes about natural resources. It is not about local control.

Community-based forestry is about finding a system to ensure that the long-term well-being of local communities are dependent upon the long-term sustainability of the forest ecosystem.

Community-based forestry is about changing the role of the forest industry to support stewardship, which depends on a high-skill, in-place workforce that knows the landscape. It is not about the end of forest products production from public lands.

Community-based forestry is about keeping public lands public.