forestguild.org - Forest Guild Public Policy

Forest Guild Public Policy

One plants trees to benefit another generation.
Caecilius Statius (220 B.C. - 168 B.C.)

The goal of the Forest Guild's public policy work is to improve the effectiveness of forestry regulations and laws in encouraging and ensuring excellent forestry by educating policy makers, advocacy groups, and the public on practical aspects of forestry. Many policies that affect forests are not based on adequate information and do not promote excellent forestry. Instead, forest issues are frequently addressed in responses to crises such as catastrophic wildfire, endangered species concerns, or global market fluctuations, with wide swings in political motivations and approaches.

The Guild is seeking to improve forest policy at both the national and local levels through science-based advocacy and by providing policymakers with our expert opinion.

Current Policy Efforts

Climate Change
The Guild advocates for the inclusion of excellent forestry in carbon cap and trade systems. For more information, click here.
Working Forest Conservation Easements
The Guild advocates for conservation easements that protect the working forest as well as its ecological and social values. For more information, click here.
Wildfire and Poverty
Through a partnership with researchers at the University of Oregon, the Guild is advocating for a more just distribution of wildfire preparation funds. For more information, click here. The Guild has testified before Congress about the links between wildfire and poverty. For more information, click here.
Migrant Forest Workers
The Guild endeavors to improve policies affecting the conditions of migrant forest workers. For more information, click here.
Collaborative Restoration
The Guild works as a core member of the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition to find policy solutions to the ecological and economic challenges faced by many forest-dependent communities. The Guild has testified before Congress about national legislation to promote collaborative restoration.
Community-Scale, Integrated Biomass Utilization
As part of the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition the Forest Guild helped to draft an issue paper on woody biomass, which includes a vision for woody biomass utilization that helps catalyze rural development and forest restoration. The issue paper also present a policy strategy to support commuinity-scale, integrated woody biomass utilization.

Policy Statements

Forest Guild policy statements are voted on for approval by the Guild’s professional membership.

Position Statements

Guild position statements are developed under the umbrella of a policy statement and are adopted by the Membership and Policy Council.

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