Sustaining the Forests of the Pacific Coast: Forging Truces in the War in the Woods

The forests of British Columbia and the U.S. Pacific Northwest have long been key to the biophysical and economic well-being and the cultural identity of the region. During the last two decades these forests have become the subject of increasing conflict due to competing demands, which are a reflection of conflicting economic interests and social/political values and visions.

This book examines the sources of conflict and suggests steps toward resolving forest policy issues. It is unique in two ways: First, it examines forest policy in the context of a binational region, exploring how two political systems, facing similar cultural and economic challenges, have treated their forests. Second, the book brings consideration of environmental justice to forest policy discourse by highlighting perspectives of people--Natives, private non-industrial forest owners, citizen activists and workers in the emerging non-timber forest economy--whose voices are often unheard in forest policy debate.