Examining the Compatibility between Forestry Incentive Programs in the US and the Practice of Sustainable Forest Management

Authors

Steven E. Daniels, Utah State UniversityFollow
Michael A. Kilgore, University of Minnesota
Michael G. Jacobsen, The Pennsylvania State University
John L. Greene, USDA Forest Service
Thomas J. Straka, Clemson University

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title

Forests

Publication Date

2010

Publisher

Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)

Volume

1

First Page

149

Last Page

64

Abstract

This research explores the intersection between the various federal and state forestry incentive programs and the adoption of sustainable forestry practices on non-industrial private forest (NIPF) lands in the US. The qualitative research reported here draws upon a series of eight focus groups of NIPF landowners (two each in Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina). Despite minor regional variations, the dominant theme that emerged is that these landowners’ purchase and management decisions are motivated by the “trilogy” of forest continuity, benefit to the owner, and doing the “right thing.” This trilogy is quite consistent with notions of sustainable forestry, but somewhat more at odds with the objectives of many financial incentive programs, as well as specific tactics such as third-party certification. A series of policy recommendations that emerge from this research is presented.

Comments

Originally published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI). Article fulltext available online through the Forests journal.

Recommended Citation

Daniels, S.E., Kilgore, M.A., Jacobsen, M.G., Greene, J.L, and Straka, T.J. (Accepted pending minor revisions.) Examining the compatibility between forestry incentive programs in the US and the practice of sustainable forest management. Forests.