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The multiple-use forest management model has been flexible, versatile, and useful in accommodating a growing array of forest uses and evolving social values regarding forest conservation and stewardship. The need to protect biological diversity in forest ecosystems presents a difficult challenge to this model, however, due to its importance and to the fact that adequate protection of many threatened or endangered species is not compatible with even moderate levels of resource development. An effective global strategy for biodiversity conservation must consider biodiversity values in temperate forest nations relative to those in tropical and boreal ecosystems, along with the potential of temperate-forest nations to minimize the effects of their own high per-capita demand for wood fiber on the most diverse, globally-significant ecosystems. Developed temperate-forest nations have a dual conservation responsibility to: (a) protect their own globally significant biodiversity hotspots, and (b) minimize externalities by more intensive utilization of productive forest areas with relatively low biodiversity values. Ultimately, the overarching concept of ‘sustainable forestry’ must be inclusive of reserves and intensively managed plantations, as well as forests managed at moderate intensity for a wide variety of goods, services, and values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on two major forest management certification programs in the U.S. Field-based assessments performed; Details of the certification process.

The article discusses the ways in which the Weeks Act, a piece of U.S. legislation enacted in 1911 that allowed the federal government to purchase land for the creation and protections of national forests, will impact land conservation in the U.S. throughout the 21st century. The argues that collaboration between federal and state agencies, communities, and private conservation organizations will be crucial to successful conservation efforts. Difficulties for conservation related to climate change and private land ownership are also examined. The threat of population growth and subsequent increased demand for biofuels on U.S. forests is emphasized as well.

Two state forests and one county forest have completed pilot programs testing verification of sustainable forest management by outside organizations. Among other goals, each agency wanted to assure citizensthat their forests were well managed and to create models for nonindustrial private forestlands. All three agencies' performance was certified, and areas marked for improvement had already by targeted by staff. The certifed then evaluated the certifiers and found them generally professional and technically competent, if occasionally unrealistic. Reaction from environmental organizations, which are cautious about promoting certification for public lands, has been mixed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gifford Pinchot's conservation principles evolved throughout his life. Born into a lumbering and mercantile family, he was trained in traditional European methods of forest management, a perspective centralto his work as first chief of the USDA Forest Service. When, as Pennsylvania's governor, he protected old-growth forests and later urged Franklin Delano Roosevelt to buy up private timberlands, he broke ranks with many foresters. Always controversial, he acted as the Forest Service's conscience until his death in 1946. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]