[MPWG] New Report: Participatory NTFP Inventory and Monitoring U.S.

[Eric T Jones]

New Report: Lynch, Kathryn A., Eric T. Jones, and Rebecca J. McLain. 2004. 
Nontimber Forest Product Inventorying and Monitoring in the United States: 
Rationale and Recommendations for a Participatory Approach.  Funded by the 
National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry.  Produced by the 
Institute for Culture and Ecology.  Available at: 
<http://www.ifcae.org/projects/ncssf1/>www.ifcae.org/projects/ncssf1/

Abstract
This document explores the potential of collaborative approaches for 
nontimber forest product inventory and monitoring in the United States.  It 
begins by reviewing results of a federal and state survey that documented 
inventory and monitoring efforts for nontimber forest products in the 
United States.  The surveys show that the majority of NTFP-related 
inventory and monitoring on National Forests and state forests consists of 
non-scientific forms of monitoring, such as tracking permits, general site 
inspections, and informal visual checks of harvest areas.  We argue that 
broadening participation in inventory and monitoring efforts can provide 
managers and policymakers with the data needed to develop and maintain 
sustainable NTFP management programs in an era of declining forest 
management budgets and staffing levels.  Our fieldwork with NTFP harvesters 
identified several characteristics of harvesters and their work that could 
be compatible with or enhance inventory and monitoring efforts.  In 
addition, harvester perspectives regarding incentives for participation are 
discussed.  Profiles of eight participatory inventory and monitoring 
projects illustrate how this concept has already been put into 
practice.  We then draw on our ethnographic research and results from four 
regional workshops to explore the barriers to involving harvesters in 
inventory and monitoring of NTFP species.  In testing the idea of 
collaboration, we found that NTFP stakeholders are generally supportive of 
the concept.  The benefits, potential incentives for participation, and 
potential barriers to participatory inventory and monitoring are 
described.  Key recommendations include: 1) developing and implementing 
collaborative inventory and monitoring pilot programs; 2) modifying 
existing inventory and monitoring programs to explicitly include NTFPs; and 
3) develop curricula and training courses for forestry students, managers 
and extension agents that focus on the current and potential role of 
nontimber forest products in ecosystem management.
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