Seeing the Forest Beyond the Trees: New Possibilities and Expectations for Products and Services from Small-scale Forestry

As the global economy expands, so does its demand for natural resources. In the currently erratic economy, farmers and landowners around the world work to provide food and fiber for a rapidly growing population. Forests are especially under anthropogenic pressure to provide timber and non-timber forest products and simultaneously furnish many ecosystem services. New markets continue to emerge for new products and services that are produced in small-scale forestry systems (including agroforestry, farm forestry and community forestry in non-industrial private forests), managed timberlands, and protected areas. As these new markets emerge, innovative management strategies and policies are crucial in assuring these markets enhance, rather than detract from, the sustainability of forest resources. Across the globe, these changes affect the day-to-day lives and lifestyles of forest dwellers and landowners. The financial, environmental and social conditions of these individuals can be improved when the individuals learn how to access new and emerging markets. This conference will bring together researchers and managers to share their experiences in management, policy development and economics of contemporary small-scale forest products and services.

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