Hibbard, Michael

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Ecosystem restoration as socio-economic development? An assessment of the possibilities
(Ecosystem Workforce Program, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon, 2001) Hibbard, Michael; Karle, Kristen M., 1975-
This paper is an assessment of a three year demonstration project to test the possibilities of community forestry for community development. The demonstration actively promotes community forestry in four rural Oregon communities. The research question is: To what extent does the community forestry approach to environmental management contribute to enhancing community problem solving capacity? The assessment uses a quasi-experimental design, comparing the four demonstration (“experimental”) communities with two control communities. Baseline socio-economic data were collected on all six communities in 1998, and follow-up data in Summer, 2001. Data sources include existing demographic, social, and economic statistics; household surveys; and indepth interviews. We begin by describing the situation of our study communities and, by extension, that of agricultural and resource-based communities in general. We then briefly discuss some of the theoretical underpinnings of collaborative stewardship and community forestry in the context of community development. Next we present the results of the demonstration project. And finally, we draw conclusions.