Examining the social component of sustainable forest management in Prince Albert and Vilhelmina Model Forests
Rural developmentSustainable developmentPublic participationGovernanceIndigenous peopleFirst NationsSaamí peopleStakeholders
Due to the forest industry downsizing, many communities in rural forest regions in Canada
and Sweden are facing problems to survive. In order to create community sustainability,
resilience and well-being in remote forest regions, the view on the forest resources has
shifted towards multiple use, through the concept of sustainable forest management (SFM).
Beside the economic and ecological elements of sustainability, the social forest values are
needed, contributing to the human well-being, local participation, stakeholder collaboration,
human rights and cultural connection.
In this thesis the embodiment of the social component of SFM within Prince Albert Model
Forest (Canada), and Vilhelmina Model Forest (Sweden) will be examined. Being partners
and facing similar challenges as rural boreal forest regions, the two model forests are compared
through analysis of projects and activities, conducted interviews and organization
documents.
Looking at projects mentioned as successful by the interviewees, they all have elements
from the social values of SFM. The direction can be explained by the introduction of the
Forest Communities Program in Canada, demanding the Model Forests to work towards
community stability and resilience, the Model Forest organization concept itself and the
way global focus are increasing around social forest values. In the future, it may be important
that the role of the MFs enable some kind of political authorization and legitimacy in
order to improve conflict solving and indigenous rights equality. Funding is crucial to run a
Model Forest organization, enabling coordination and administration staff, representative
participation and travel possibilities to meetings.