Forest management planning in Newfoundland and Labrador: The Western Newfoundland Model Forest contribution

The management of forests has dramatically changed in the past few decades. Forest managers no longer can prepare and implement forest management plans in isolation of other resource values and local citizens. Today, the economic, ecological and social values are blended together into sustainable forest management. Finding a balance among these values in Newfoundland and Labrador is done through local district planning teams. The team participants need to understand the principles of sustainable forest management and the overall planning process. A primary focus of the Western Newfoundland Model Forest has been to support planning teams through the development of management tools to enhance management of the Province’s forest ecosystems. The Model forest program will continue to test, document and transfer new and innovative management options to forest managers. Key words: adaptive management, consensus, sustainable forest management, planning teams, public involvement, model forests