TITLE:
Assessment of a Public Participation Tool by Experts: A Case Study of Quebec, Canada
AUTHORS:
Anne Bernard, Nancy Gélinas
KEYWORDS:
Consultation Process, Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), Case Study, Public Participation, Multiple-Use Management, Canada
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Resources,
Vol.11 No.7,
July
23,
2020
ABSTRACT: In theory, sustainable forest management (SFM) puts public participation
at the epicenter of the decision-making process. However, in reality, the
situation is different. The growing importance of public participation seems
essential for the implementation of sustainable forest management. The aim of
this study is to assess the implementation of a theoretical concept closely
related to SFM, integrated land and resource management (ILRM). This Canadian
concept aims to integrate many forest functions using participatory tools.
Using semi-structured interviews with experts, we clarify our theoretical
concept and adapt it to reality. Our results show that better communication
between stakeholders is necessary. It is also important to increase the
flexibility of the timber harvest system and adapted forest zoning should be
considered. A new concept, the forest culture, seems to be a key element that
needs to be considered upstream of forest management. A new definition of ILRM
is proposed in order to better reach social values.