Approach
Community-based organizations, such as the Watershed Research and Training Center, complement government agencies in managing forest lands. The WRTC takes advantage of the social ties, embeddedness, local knowledge, and unique perspectives of Hayfork community members as both forest workers and people who must live with the consequences of forest management. Through investments in human, physical, financial and social capital the WRTC helps to develop lively-hoods that restore natural capital. Despite ensuing economic and social shortcomings in Hayfork, the WRTC strives to achieve economic development by building on the existing talents and resources found in forest communities.
Activities include:
- Small diameter timber harvesting
- Mullein harvesting
- Wood-products marketing
- Forestry education and practical training
- Youth education
- Building and monitoring social capital in the community of Hayfork