“Community Forests” in the United States – How Do we Know One When we See One?

Abstract

Community forests (CFs) involve communities in decision-making about, management of and access to forests, and have potential to benefit both communities and forests. However, they lack a single definition, clear distinction from related topics, or method for identification. This perspectives article explores historical and current literature on CFs and proposes a conceptual framework for understanding CFs and related concepts in the U.S. context. Through that exploration, we propose a conceptual framework for understanding their meaning and relationship. We propose three potential pathways for identifying CFs in the U.S., each with advantages and disadvantages. CFs can be identified by using a criteria and indicators approach; by participation in programs or networks designated for CFs; or by their own self-identification as a CF. We suggest that using a hybrid of these approaches will produce the most robust process for knowing a community forest when we see one.

Keywords:

• Collaborative forestry
• community forestry
• community-based forest management
• town forests
• tribal forests

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Award Number 2021-67023-34426. Partial funding was also provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Pacific Northwest Research Station, and International Institute of Tropical Forestry, as well as Oregon State University and North Carolina State University. Thanks to a collegial reviewer, and journal reviewers for their comments on previous drafts of this manuscript. Any remaining errors or omissions are those of the authors.