Think local, act local.

The Wicked Problem of Forest Policy: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sustainability in Landscapes. Nikolakis W., and J. L. Innes, editors. 2020. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K. x + 400 pp. £64.99 (hardcover). ISBN 978-1-108-47140-4. Sustainable Governance Wildlife Community Based Natural Resource Management. Child, B. 2019. Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon, xxiv 381 £37.99 (paperback). 978-0-415-79329-2. problems, those for which there is no clarity around the definition problem or agreement about appropriate solution (Roberts, 2000), are a constant biodiversity conservation. They particularly visible management forests, given how important these ecosystems subsistence livelihoods commercial enterprise globally critical processes, such as carbon sequestration, they contribute to. In this context, volume edited by Innes welcome addition conservation literature. It contains insightful chapters covering key approaches forest at global level does not neglect factors inequality devolution power local institutions. book organized less than intuitive fashion. first section groups on problems (e.g., crime, gender inequality) policies payments services, REDD+, certification), second focuses tools address problems. This seems suggest that included part solution, something following do seem support. terms style, readability text suffers from large number different acronyms used within across chapters; single pages infrequently have 7 8 acronyms. policies, chapter certification stands out comprehensive summary existing knowledge area, particular when it comes golden question understanding whether actually works. Beyond crucial issue, authors inject amount nuance into picture differentiating between types certification, laying their origins, explaining geographical implementation base. detail allows much more true potential sustainable currently future. When crime much-needed contribution growing literature environmental crime. COVID-19 pandemic has put wildlife trade, animals human consumption, under spotlight. But, financial terms, biggest criminal likely revolves forestry. an informed overview area. For example, although been misinformation links illegal ivory trade armed conflict (Maguire & Haenlein, 2015), illustrates role forestry resources, charcoal timber, propping up nonstate actors conflicts. Finally, interplay legal highlights impacts activities good governance ability governments manage resources sustainably. Also worthwhile initial tackling inequality. Examples here cross-cutting relative topics other on, community-based Much need further devolvement rights decision-making level, theme runs through many wicked section, comprehensive. recognize importance evidence its positive impacts, even if limited exists social outcomes. Together paint nuanced complex challenges navigating stakeholder-inclusion processes ensure follows priorities maintaining use without increasing complexity makes Brian Child's Management publication. Most textbooks published response need, real perceived, but few could hope be timely one. Child touches aspects today's zeitgeist (despite fact was before pandemic), value conserving wildlife, differences values urban rural audiences influence dictating management, regulation trophy hunting ensuring benefits species communities. expansion natural resource (CBNRM) model, emerged 1980s alleviate poverty, 4 central tenets: devolve wild communities, maximize prices make inclusive, capacity building adaptive tailor context. comprehensive, providing only insights theoretical underpinning CBNRM economy, also concrete guidance design model. will helpful reference practitioners trying ground academics working understand current practices gaps knowledge. Overall, presents pragmatic compelling narrative trade-offs taken account thinking world where places home some world's most disadvantaged people. 2 introduction provide historical interaction with perhaps least exciting book, overly broad time span consider, origins humans agricultural revolution emergence nation state. move concepts theories underpin CBNRM, focus work Eleanor Ostrom Marshall Murphree. discussion latter's reminder African made continue management. From 8, becomes progressively applied southern Africa, Zimbabwe, CAMPFIRE program. final veritable how-to guide including templates surveys, budgeting, planning community meetings. unusual practical advice textbook, one incredibly useful anyone looking practice. main drawback work, acknowledges, geographic scope; overwhelming Africa specifically Zimbabwe. There odd mention United States full dedicated, title least, view CBRMN. Although examples can extent proof concept, author argues, remain questions cultural, political, indeed ecological particularities allow extrapolation level. Drawing broader set case studies would considerably strengthened wider relevance information contained book. note scrutiny referring "tragedy commons", hypothetical example impact unregulated grazing common land, mentioned several times throughout alongside citations Garrett Hardin, who popularized concept. commons" allegory now often seen unhelpful simplification, thanks others (Frischmann et al., 2019) widely cited volume. Furthermore, Hardin's racist nativist rhetoric should acknowledged Nixon, 2012), region access tainted racial ethnic injustices.