John Bliss and Bruce Shindler,
Forest Resources, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Silvicultural options may be
ecologically sound and economically feasible, but if they are to be
sustainable, they must also be socially acceptable. This presentation focuses on factors that influence public
acceptance of forest management practices and policies. The case of clearcutting provides an
illustration of how the public makes judgments about forestry practices, and
how professional foresters have responded to those judgments. We close by considering the challenges the
profession faces in incorporating both the biophysical and the social sciences
to craft silvicultural options that enjoy long-term public support.
Keywords: social acceptability, social sustainability.