The first issue in this new format is a special issue: ‘Moving beyond forestry laws through collective learning and action in Sahelian countries’. And this is a very special issue indeed …
Readers of this journal are very well aware of the importance of forestry laws in shaping the relationship between farmers and foresters as regards the management of trees in forests but also of trees outside forests. The theme is thus important, especially for the region targeted by this issue, the Sahel, where trees are rare and represent a fragile resource relatively to more humid regions. Trees are rare in the Sahel, but they have a pivotal role in the livelihood of the local populations for the various production, cultural and environmental services they provide. The theme is also original by the choice made by the guest editors in this issue, which is to focus on bylaws, which may be defined as rules that a local organization makes, that apply only to the local area and that members of the local organization should follow.
The idea of a special issue on this theme emerged in 2009 when I met one of the guest editors of this special issue in Nairobi during the second World Agroforestry Congress. There is often a long lapse of time between the emergence of such idea and its realization. I am not sure that we have beaten a record with this special issue, but its realization took a long time indeed, passing through phases of discouragement followed by a renewed enthusiasm. Life put various obstacles on our way, both private and professional, obstacles encountered by the authors, the guest editors and the editor alike, but importantly, over the years, the idea was maintained. And it was maintained because of the importance and interest of the theme.
In the course of the realization of this special issue, we collectively learned to be patient. Because of the long time lapse between the first version of the manuscripts and the final ones, special efforts had to be made by all authors to update their articles as much as possible. Although some points may still be slightly outdated, I feel confident that it will not deter readers to appreciate the value of this original set of articles.
Reaching this point would not have been possible without the help of Dr Claudia D’Andrea. She proposed her help at a very crucial moment, just before we could see the final stretch. I here wish to address our collective thanks to Claudia for her decisive contribution in making so many relevant editing suggestions when reviewing the latest versions of all the manuscripts included in this special issue. I also wish to warmly thank all those who contributed to this special issue.
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