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A Paradigm for Valuing Multi-Benefit Forest Management

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forest with section of trees cut down

Historically, the US National Forests were managed as “Lands of many uses”, with explicit goals for recreation, forestry, grazing, and mining.  In the 21st century, the goals have evolved, but the uses are still diverse.  Other important roles of forests include wildlife habitat, soil and water protection, carbon storage, and potentially provision of energy.  Fortunately, we have an evolving set of frameworks for valuing these uses, but we lack a policy framework that recognizes and rewards the full suite of consequences of forest protection and management.  We need a practical policy framework that can reward forest owners (including public owners) for the full suite of forest benefits, including extractive uses (forest products), onsite benefits (carbon storage), and risk management (wildfire risk reduction).