Learning about community capacity in the Fundy Model Forest

Abstract

The forest plays an important role in New Brunswick’s economy. The Fundy Model Forest, located in southeastern New Brunswick developed a multi-stakeholder approach to public participation in sustainable forest management. This paper presents the main results of a research conducted in the year 2000 with representatives of the 31 FMF partner organizations. The objectives of the survey were mainly to verify the responsibility taken by partner organizations in term of community capacity and leadership in communities in order to develop and optimize collaborative management of forest resources. The survey was based on semi-directed interviews. Key words: community capacity, multi-stakeholder, public participation, sustainability, forest management, consensus building, decision making, Fundy Model Forest, individual learning, organizational learning, adaptative management, non-timber values