Definitions of and Synonyms for Community Forestry Community Forestry – Module 1.2 Forestry Training Institute, Liberia

Learning Objectives Students will be able to … Define community forestry and core aspects of this mode of resource management. Understand that people who have been residing in or near their local forests for generations have the rights, knowledge, and incentives to manage their own resources sustainably. Explain why community forestry can be a viable strategy for conserving forest ecosystems and supporting local livelihoods and cultural values.

Key Concepts and Issues Community Forestry Benefit sharing Resource management Resource governance

Definitions according to Liberia’s Forest Development Authority … Community Forestry: The governance and management of community forests by a community for commercial and non- commercial purposes to further the development of the community and enhance the livelihoods of community members. Community Forestry Contract: Contract co-entered into by a community and the Authority with another party or parties for large and small-scale commercial activities relative to community forest resources. Community Forest Management Body: A body appointed by the Community Assembly to manage community forest resources. Definitions: Community Forestry

International Definitions of Community Forestry Situation which intimately involves local people in forestry activity (FA0, 1978). Regime of common property management that strives to achieve sustainability by linking local people’s social and economic interest with forest conservation (Taylor, 2000) An umbrella term for a wide range of activities which link rural people with forests, trees, and the products and benefits derived from them. More specifically it is a “pro-community‟ model that seeks to redress the imbalance of power between governments and local communities, and advocates recognition of local forest management systems along with clear and legal land tenure and rights regarding use and benefits of forest resources (Gilmour & Fisher, 1991).

Definitions: Community Forestry International Definitions of Community Forestry Community forestry is a village-level forestry activity, decided on collectively and implemented on communal land, where local populations participate in the planning, establishing, managing, and harvesting of forest crops, and so receive a major proportion of the socio-economic and ecological benefits from the forest (Martel & Whyte, 1992). Most definitions of community forestry stress the importance of participation and benefit-sharing. Community forestry should be seen as a process … – of increasing the involvement of and reward for local people. – of seeking balance between outside and community interests. – of increasing local responsibility for the management of the forest resource.

Communal Forest: Refers to “an area set aside by statute or regulation for sustainable use of forest products by local communities or tribes on a non- commercial basis” (National Forestry Reform Law of 2006). – This kind of forest is part of the protected area system. Defined as the buffer zone of 3 kilometers surrounding protected areas. Community: “A group of local residents who share a common interest in the use and management of forest resources, with traditional or formal rights to the land and the forest on it.” (National Forestry Reform Law of 2006). Definitions: Community Forestry

What does Success Look Like? Successful community forestry requires... genuine popular participation in decision-making. Experience has proven time and again that participation is more than a development cliché; it is an absolute necessity if goals are to be met. But working with people rather than policing them is a new role for many foresters (Eckholm et al, 1984). Successful community forestry has the following characteristics: – the local community controls a clearly and legally defined area of forest; – the local community is free from governmental and other outside pressure concerning the utilization of that forest; – if the forestry involves commercial sale of timber or other products, then the community is free from economic exploitation of markets or other pressure from outside forces; – the community has long-term security of tenure over the forest and sees its future as being tied to the forest (Revington, Rainforest Information Centre, 1992).

Why Community Forestry in Liberia? At the institutional level, the situation in Liberia is very favorable: Rural communities are meaningful social entities in a way that contrasts markedly with the situation in many other parts of West Africa, being relatively very homogeneous and coherent. Community identities are well integrated into systems of local government. Chieftaincies are usually elective and are representative of their populations to an unusual degree; there are checks and balances within the chieftaincy system. Tribal boundaries tend to be clear and stable, and traditional resource rights are exclusive and well-recognized. Where conflicts occur, there are established and legitimate systems for their resolution.