Abstract:
Community-based organizations (CBOs) are non-profit organizations based in rural communities
that work on both local economic development and natural resource stewardship. CBOs
were established in many places across the U.S. West to help struggling rural communities build
sustainable natural resource-based economies. They often serve communities that were greatly affected
by changes to public land policy and changes in the timber industry or other natural resource industries
since the late 1980s. These communities have typically experienced social conflict, unemployment, and
other challenges related to environmental management. In 2016 we conducted a survey of CBOs across
the West to better understand their organizational characteristics and activities.