The Importance of Forests to People

The 2010 National Report on Sustainable Forests produced by the US Forest Service will include a new indicator: "The Importance of Forests to People" (Indicator #44). The SFP with Michigan State University as the lead institution is developing metrics for measuing this new Montreal Process indicator.

Our analysis seeks to measure how people preceive forests including the complete range of forest benefits and services. In addition to examining importance acrosss this range of benefits, our analysis focuses on cultural services including cultural diversity, spiritual and religious values, knowledge systems, educational values, and recreation and ecotourism.

The project teams tasks are to develop a literature review of social constructs relating to the importance of forests to people, hold a workshop to discuss the literature review and potential metrics for Indicator 44, develop metrics to measure Indicator 44, collect and analyze data, and prepare a report in support of the 2010 National Report.

To learn more about the project, contact Maureen McDonough.

Project Team

Maureen McDonough, Michigan State University, Project Lead
Badege Bishaw, Oregon State University
James Finley, Penn State University
Susan Morre, Oregon State University
Wayde Morse, Auburn University
Laurie Schoonhoven, Penn State University
Terry Sharik, Utah State University
John Shane, University of Vermont
Mathew Smidt, Auburn University

Sponsor

US Forest Service

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