Marc-André Côté

Assessing the effect of public involvement processes in forest management in Quebec

Abstract Despite the proliferation of public involvement initiatives in the forest sector, methodologies for monitoring the success of individual processes have been particularly weak. Assessments have traditionally examined the outward appearance of public involvement processes rather than what they accomplish. The aim of our research project was to develop a method for assessing the impact of public involvement processes in Quebec, and to test this method in the context of forest certification initiatives. More precisely, the research project determined that the public involvement processes tested in the Haute-Mauricie region, Quebec (Canada): (1) fostered better information sharing among parties interested in forest management; (2) brought about changes in forestry planning; (3) decreased mistrust between local stakeholders; and (4) reduced potential negative conflicts in this region. However, the experiment also showed that further institutional support should complement a public involvement initiative in order to increase its impact on forest management planning and on the relationships among parties interested in forest management.

Impact of Changes in the Sociological Characteristics of Small-Scale Forest Owners on Timber Harvesting Behavior in Quebec, Canada

Owing to the economic, social and environmental impacts associated with timber harvesting by small-scale forest owners, a number of studies have characterized their profiles, motivations and activities at a given time. However, little research has focused on how timber production has been affected by changes in the prevalence of types of forest owners over time. A 2012 telephone survey of Quebec (Canada) small-scale forest owners reveals relationships between level of harvesting and socio-demographic factors, and an evolution of these factors by examining the results of surveys conducted in 1973 and 1985. Within the same population, property size, distance between owners’ forest and homes, possession of a forest management plan, gender, education level, the length of ownership are correlated with how likely respondents were to harvest timber on their forest. Furthermore, comparison with results from previous surveys of the same population show an increase in the prevalence of characteristics associated with owners who place less importance on timber harvesting in their management decisions. Overall, since the initial survey of forest owners conducted in 1973, the size of forest holdings in Quebec has decreased, respondents’ education level has improved and the proportion of forests owned by women have increased. However, these changes are occurring at a relatively slow rate, giving government authorities time to implement policies to encourage harvesting among the new generation of forest owners.