The Evolution of the Dialogue and Perspectives on Sustainable Forest Management with Special Emphasis on the United States of America

Abstract

ABSTRACT A review covering a synopsis of the history of forest sustainability concepts and how it has led to the social, economic, and legal frameworks, criteria and indicators, and key incentive programs, which promote and influence conservation and sustainable management of forests in the United States of America is presented in two parts. The main findings show that the United States of America is a world leader in sustainable forest management, demonstrated by the fact that since the beginning of the 20th Century, forest area has been relatively stable although the population has increased, and the country remains one of the top timber producers in the world. Sustainable forest management in the United States of America is achieved in the context of private and public ownership, stakeholder collaboration, a federalist system with overarching federal laws that give freedom to state and local jurisdictions to use regulatory and voluntary means to achieve those aims, and a variety of government incentive programs offering technical assistance, financial assistance, and tax relief for landowners who proactively practice responsible forest management. This framework is reinforced through consistent enforcement of laws, monitoring, and reporting of changing conditions, and an array of future modeling to inform management actions.