Chapter 15 - Forest policies and external pressures

Abstract

Forest policies guide the actions employed in the management of forests. Forest policies can be developed by national and local governments and by organizations or individuals. Generally speaking, policies arise from real or perceived problems. While understanding the impetus for a policy may interest many, forest and natural resource managers must more importantly understand how to work effectively within the legal, regulatory, and operational environments that the policies create. Forest managers need to understand the extent to which they can manage their forests in order to meet their desired objectives. Further, forest managers also need to understand the extent of the economic, environmental, and social contributions that their forests make to landowners and to the larger society. Policy development processes evolve in the political climate of the country or the region within which an area of land is situated. There are those who have dedicated their careers to the development and assessment of forest policies. In some cases, these individuals become advocates for certain courses of action or certain political beliefs. In other cases, these individuals are researchers investigating the potential trajectories of policy scenarios and their potential impact on forest resource management. While the activities of these groups of people are important, the actual forest policy is paramount, since it guides the actions of foresters or natural resource managers at a given site within a landscape.