New England′s Community Forests: Comparing a Regional Model to ICCAs

Marthawest Lyman,Maureen Mcdonough,Cecilia Danks

doi:10.4103/0972-4923.110947

Marthawest Lyman, Maureen Mcdonough + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-4923.110947

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Abstract

This paper examines the ways in which some forms of community forests in the northeastern United States could be considered Indigenous Peoples' and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs), based on the work conducted by the Community Forest Collaborative, a partnership of four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the US. The Collaborative defined a Community Forest Model for northern New England, conducted research on the economic, social, community, and conservation values of the Community Forest Model and developed case studies on five community forest projects. Five key attributes of ICCAs were selected and used to compare with characteristics of the Collaborative's Community Forest Model. The results conclude that the Community Forest Model is very consistent and compatible with the characteristics of ICCAs, defined by Kothari (2006), and further, that there would be benefits both to community forests in New England as well as to other ICCAs to include the Community Forest Model as an example of an ICCA.

Highlights

Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Territories and AreasIndigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) are gaining recognition as a conservation strategy
Information and data gathered during the development of the case studies provides material for comparison of the Community Forest Model with ICCAs, offers an opportunity to analyse whether the Community Forest Model is a legitimate regional expression of an ICCA, and suggests where ICCAs can learn from the Community Forest Model
The practices underway with the five community forests represented in this case suggest that while time will tell, there is already a close affinity between the Community Forest Model as implemented in northern New England and ICCAs

Summary

Introduction

Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) are gaining recognition as a conservation strategy. This recognition acknowledges that indigenous peoples and/or local communities may have a close association with a specific set of natural resources (e.g., a forest, watershed or lake) that they protect for significant ecological and/or. This relationship is reflected in a voluntary system of conservation developed by local people (either indigenous peoples or local communities). Community-based forestry projects, worldwide, are very diverse and include a wide spectrum of ‘community forests’ that can include community woodlots for fuel wood, food or cash; community tree nurseries; and community management of existing forest land (e.g., management responsibilities allocated to a community by a government). The FAO currently defines community forests as “focusing on local communities as key stakeholders in managing common property resources” (FAO 2010: 210)

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