The Forest Service is committed to strengthening
rural America through forest resources and related natural
resources opportunities. Which means we are also committed
to working in partnership with others in the public sector
(at all levels -- Federal, tribal, state, and local governments)
and private sector (profit and non-profit organizations).
Goal
The overall goal is to facilitate and foster
sustainable community development -- linking community assistance
and resource management. Throughout the country our rural
community assistance efforts focus around the themes of healthy
communities, appropriately diverse economies, and sustainable
ecosystems.
Forest Service
Niche
The Forest Service is positioned to help rural
communities develop their capacity to manage change. Specifically,
the Agency:
- Has a presence and vested interest in communities
which have a natural resource base;
- Carries out land management responsibilities
which affect the opportunities available to local communities;
- Has professional expertise needed by communities;
and
- Can provide seed money to catalyze local
action and leverage other resources.
Forest
Service Approach
The Forest Service places emphasis on helping communities
organize, develop broad-based local action plans, and take
actions which build towards sustainable solutions for economic,
social, and environmental concerns and opportunities. These
community-level efforts are accomplished with the majority
of the coordination and technical assistance being provided
by employees located on National Forests working with thousands
of partners nationwide, with direct interaction by State Foresters
and other appropriate agencies.
Key
principles which drive the Forest Service effort include:
- Focus on community-led and community-based
efforts in rural America (not just the business sector).
- Be a part of a comprehensive approach and
work cooperatively.
- Take strategic action addressing local
needs (be "needs-driven" not "program-driven").
- Act for the long-term, sustainable solutions
vs. the "quick fix" approach.
- Accomplish objectives through partnerships.
- Help communities capitalize on their natural
resource-based potential and assets.
- Improve the integration of environmental
and economic concerns and opportunities
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Forestry Home | Economic Action
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