American Indians and National Forests tells the story of how the U.S. Forest Service and tribal nations dealt with sweeping changes in forest use, ownership, and management over the last century and a half. Indians and U.S. foresters came together over a shared conservation ethic on many cooperative endeavors; yet, they often clashed over how the nation’s forests ought to be valued and cared for on matters ranging from huckleberry picking and vision quests to road building and recreation development. Marginalized in American society and long denied a seat at the table of public land stewardship, American Indian tribes have at last taken their rightful place and are making themselves heard. Weighing indigenous perspectives on the environment is an emerging trend in public land management in the United States and around the world. The Forest Service has been a strong partner in that movement over the past quarter century.
For many indigenous communities forests have powerful cultural, historical, and economic meanings. In this dissertation I explore the meanings of forest management for two indigenous communities. I address three fundamental questions: How do indigenous communities understand their relationship with forests and forest management? Why have they engaged in forest management? How does history shape definitions and practices of sustainability? To answer these questions I use combine historical and qualitative research methods using a case study approach. The first case study centers on the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. I discuss the composition of the Menominee forest in the mid-1800s and argue that differing perceptions of the forest had profound effects on forest management. I discuss the 1890 and 1908 laws that limited harvesting on the Menominee reservation. These laws were the first to set harvest limits in the United States. I also use oral history interviews to understand Menominee perceptions of forest management, sustainability, and the legacy of Menominee forest management. I show how tribal members have used forest management to further Menominee goals, cultural values, and community well-being. Finally, I explore multiple tribal perspectives on forest management in relation to ecological changes. The second case study centers on forestry in Bolivia. I explore the cultural, historical, and environmental influences that affect forest management and perceptions of sustainability among lowland communities. I explore how lowland indigenous people expressed their demands for territory through a 1990 protest march and outline the Bolivian government's subsequent decision to enact multiple laws including the 1996 Forestry Law. I then use community documents and oral history interviews with Guarayos people to explore their perspectives of sustainability, forest management, and the 1996 Forestry Law. I show that Guarayos people view community forest management as a tool to control their territory and provide community benefits. Despite different histories, cultures, ecosystems, and values, there are several similarities between Menominee and Guarayos perceptions of forest management. Both the communities have used active forest management--harvesting trees for timber--to foster territorial control; strengthen community well-being; protect the forest; and bolster cultural connections between past, present, and future generations.
Sustainable forest management (SFM) has become a prominent goal of current forest management approaches within the Unites [sic] States. A growing body of literature offers support for incorporating traditional and local knowledge (TEK) with current SFM methods in an effort to improve management planning and policies. By seeking Native American perspectives and incorporating traditional knowledge into current forest management methods, U.S. forest managers have the potential to increase their understanding of relationships between human, non-human, and the physical environment, thereby increasing their ability to manage our nation’s forests more effectively for all stakeholders involved. Using the qualitative data obtained from in-depth interviews and focus groups conducted with two Native American communities, this study examines the absent perspectives of Native American voices in the dialogue on sustainable forest management. This study argues that bringing in Native American viewpoints into sustainable forest management will add key missing perspectives to the national and global discussion. Results suggest that the abilities to maintain and manage natural resources are central to the survival of Native American communities, their spiritual beliefs, and their cultural practices, and that the human element in ecosystem functions is an essential factor in sustainable forest management from a Native American perspective.
Forest Plans of North America presents case studies of contemporary forest management plans developed for forests owned by federal, state, county, and municipal governments, communities, families, individuals, industry, investment organizations, conservation organizations, and others in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The book provides excellent real-life examples of contemporary forest planning processes, the various methods used, and the diversity of objectives and constraints faced by forest owners. Chapters are written by those who have developed the plans, with each contribution following a unified format and allowing a common, clear presentation of the material, along with consistent treatment of various aspects of the plans. This work complements other books published by members of the same editorial team (Forest Management and Planning, Introduction to Forestry and Natural Resource Management), which describe the planning process and the various methods one might use to develop a plan, but in general do not, as this work does, illustrate what has specifically been developed by landowners and land managers. This is an in-depth compilation of case studies on the development of forest management plans by the different landowner groups in North America. The book offers students, practitioners, policy makers, and the general public an opportunity to greatly improve their appreciation of forest management and, more importantly, foster an understanding of why our forests today are what they are and what forces and tools may shape their tomorrow. Forest Plans of North America provides a solid supplement to those texts that are used as learning tools for forest management courses. In addition, the work functions as a reference for the types of processes used and issues addressed in the early 21st century for managing land resources. Presents 40-50 case studies of forest plans developed for a wide variety of organizations, groups, and landowners in North America Illustrates plans that have specifically been developed by landowners and land managers Features engaging, clearly written content that is accessible rather than highly technical, while demonstrating the issues and methods involved in the development of the plans Each chapter contains color photographs, maps, and figures
For successful management of tropical forests there must be a new type of partnership between indigenous peoples, the scientific community, national governments, and international development agencies. This relationship should be a contractual one, in which indigenous peoples are provided with juridical recognition and control over large areas of forest in exchange for a commitment to conserve the ecosystem and preserve biodiversity.
The document summarizes the report that, based on a review of more than 250 studies, demonstrates the importance and urgency of climate action to protect the forests of the indigenous and tribal territories of Latin America as well as the indigenous and tribal peoples who protect them. These territories contain about a third of the continent's forests. That's 14% of the carbon stored in tropical forests around the world; These territories are also home to an enormous diversity of wild fauna and flora and play a key role in stabilizing the local and regional climate. Based on an analysis of the approaches that have proven effective in recent decades, a set of investments and policies is proposed for adoption by climate funders and government decision-makers in collaboration with indigenous and tribal peoples. These measures are grouped into five main categories: i) strengthening of collective territorial rights; ii) compensate indigenous and tribal communities for the environmental services they provide; iii) facilitate community forest management; iv) revitalize traditional cultures and knowledge; and v) strengthen territorial governance and indigenous and tribal organizations. Preliminary analysis suggests that these investments could significantly reduce expected carbon emissions at a low cost, in addition to offering many other environmental and social benefits.
The Guarani of Paraguay have survived over four centuries of contact with the commercial system, while keeping in tact their traditions of leadership, religion and kinship. This concise ethnography examines how the Guarani have adapted over time, in concert with Paraguay’s subtropical forest system. New To This Edition: Expanded historical background and updated demographic information on the Guarani brings the research to the present day (Chapter 1). Expands and strengthens the discussion of “sustainability” to include more recent advances in the concept (Chapter 1), and introduces the idea of “subsidy from nature” into the discussion of conventional tropical development (Chapter 3). Develops the discussion of women’s labor in horticulture (Chapter 3). Analyzes the effects of indigenous mixed agro-forestry in stemming the high rates of Paraguayan deforestation of the 1990s (Chapter 4). Discusses the recent globalization of the yerba mate market, and the economy's effecton Paraguay’s protected areas (Chapter 4). Describes Guarani ethnic federations as a means to engage the national and international political institutions (Chapter 4). Explores the rapid growth in Guarani population in native communities, which results from lower infant mortality, more land pressure and more reliable census data (Chapter 4). This brief introductory text makes the ideal supplementary text for students of anthropology.
