This compendium of papers was developed in response to the assumption that implementing an ecological approach to forest management requires an understanding of socially acceptable forestry -- what it is and the implications of doing it. Perspectives from a variety of social science disciplines are presented which attempt to define social acceptability and examine the question from a public, philosophical and ethical standpoint to determine whether the focus on social acceptability is an appropriate and useful one. Charts and tables. Bibliography.

Fundamental changes have occurred in all aspects of forestry over the last 50 years, including the underlying science, societal expectations of forests and their management, and the evolution of a globalized economy. This textbook is an effort to comprehensively integrate this new knowledge of forest ecosystems and human concerns and needs into a management philosophy that is applicable to the vast majority of global forest lands. Ecological forest management (EFM) is focused on policies and practices that maintain the integrity of forest ecosystems while achieving environmental, economic, and cultural goals of human societies. EFM uses natural ecological models as its basis contrasting it with modern production forestry, which is based on agronomic models and constrained by required return-on-investment. Sections of the book consider: 1) Basic concepts related to forest ecosystems and silviculture based on natural models; 2) Social and political foundations of forestry, including law, economics, and social acceptability; 3) Important current topics including wildfire, biological diversity, and climate change; and 4) Forest planning in an uncertain world from small privately-owned lands to large public ownerships. The book concludes with an overview of how EFM can contribute to resolving major 21st century issues in forestry, including sustaining forest dependent societies.

Knowing about public values, beliefs, and attitudes (VBA) relevant to public land mgmt. is one foundation for understanding the linkages between the needs of nearby communities, and regional and nat. residents. Managers aware of the systematic differences in VBA held by the public and stakeholders are in a better position to define resource issues, develop alternative ways of addressing them, assess their social and cultural impacts, identify acceptable mgmt. measures, and monitor the results. This guide is designed to acquaint Forest Service staff with the concepts of VBA; to demonstrate ways in which VBA and assoc, concepts can be measured; and to suggest methods for applying VBA info. to decisions about projects and plans. Illus.