From timber to forests and people: a view of nonindustrial private forest research

Abstract

The published research on nonindustrialprivateforests (NIPFs) and their owners is substantial. Early works have focused on the role these lands may play in meeting predicted timber shortages. Later research on the NIPF situation appeared more motivated by private forest management than timber management, and more interested in the NIPF owner as a person than as a timber supplier. Correspondingly, much of the research on forestry assistance programs has been critical of their traditional timber-only approach. Many researchers have agreed that the success of such efforts hinges on their ability to address the diverse forestry objectives of private landowners rather than focusing narrowly on the advancement of timber management.