In the 1990s the world community has arrived at a particularly in developing countries and in econo historical turning point. Global issues- the decline mies in transition. These three organizations have of biological diversity, climate change, the fate of different backgrounds and focuses, but have found forest peoples, fresh water scarcity, desertification, it relevant and rewarding to their core operations to deforestation and forest degradation - have come collaborate in WFSE activities. The intention of to dominate the public and political debate about these organizations is to continue supporting the forestry. In the economic sphere, forest industries WFSE research and developing the mutual collab have assumed global dimensions. oration. The World Forests, Society and Environment In the year 2000,WFSE took on anewchallenge, Research Program (WFSE) is a response by the re extending its research network to involve five new searchcommunity to thisglobalization. The WFSE Associate Partners: the Center for International slogan 'Globalization calls for global research' re Forestry Research (CIFOR) in Indonesia;the Cent flects both the means and the end of the program. er for Research and Higher Education on Natural The program is involved in promoting and execut Resources of Tropical America (CATIE) in Costa ing research in different parts of the world, and Rica; the International Centerfor Research inAgro through its publications and communications net Forestry (ICRAF) in Kenya; the World Forestry work, linking researchers worldwide.

Discusses the ways in which we can continue to benefit from forests, while conserving their biodiversity.

This book describes a field-level assessment of how people living near the Mount Elgon National Park in Uganda use the park's forest resources. The authors argue that extractive use of a range of timber and non-timber forest products, if properly monitored and controlled, is not necessarily a threat to biodiversity. They explain clearly which data gathering methods were chosen and why, and how the results of this assessment can be used to develop collaborative management agreements with local people. Interdisciplinary and practically oriented, the book should be obligatory reading for protected area managers and others who aim to involve rural people in forest and nature conservation.