Community forest dividends go well beyond logging profits

An innovative approach to forestry is increasing the returns to local economies in a way that goes beyond just focusing on profits. Community forests are a means to keep benefits and decisions around local resources in local hands, said Susan Mulkey, communication manager for the British Columbia Community Forest Association. “Community forests are all about the greater good,” Mulkey said, and profits generated don’t benefit distant shareholders as they might in industrial logging enterprises. “When you look at corporate forestry companies, their job is to maximize profits, but community forests are managed to include other values.” Community stakeholders decide how forests are managed in a manner consistent with locally defined objectives and values, Mulkey said. …BCCFA’s most recent indicator report shows community forests they create 85 per cent more jobs per cubic metre than the industry average in forestry, logging and support services. …There are 59 Community Forest Agreements province wide.