Examining the Role of the Forest Industry in Collaborative Ecosystem Management: Implications for Corporate Strategy

The North American timber industry owns or controls a substantial amount of commercial timberland, and it is within this privately held acreage that major portions of critical natural habitat and areas of biodiversity are found. Because significant ecosystem components and processes lie within the ownership of forestry operations, industry participation in collaborative ecosystem management initiatives is vital to protect the integrity of ecological units at the landscape scale. This article analyzes and identifies the role of industry in ecosystem management projects, industry’s willingness to participate in collaborative ecosystem management and the motivations behind company participation. Companies indicated active involvement in collaborative ecosystem management as both project initiators and collaborators. Motivations for participating in collaborative ecosystem management initiatives include the desires to decrease governmental regulations, collect data, develop relationships and improve current practices. Many companies also feel that participation is financially beneficial because it positively impacts corporate public relations. We discuss the implications of these results for developing an effective corporate environmental strategy associated with resource-based industries. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. Received 29 April 2004; revised 1 November 2004; accepted 1 November 2004