How is Crown forest policy developed? Probing New Brunswick's protected areas strategy

Abstract

To determine how forest policy is developed, the perceptions of senior policy-makers involved in developing the New Brunswick protected natural areas policy were examined. They represented three main stakeholder groups: the New Brunswick provincial government, forest industry, and environmental organizations. Three analytical methods revealed the evolution of events over time, recurring themes, and the use of social power. The results suggest that development of forest policy is facilitated when both forest science and human values are taken into account, when information is shared among stakeholders, and when a "win–win" solution is sought. Key words: forest policy development, New Brunswick, power, protected areas policy, qualitative research, stakeholders