From New Perspectives to Ecosystem Management. - book reviews

American Forests, Nov-Dec, 1993 by Wallace Kaufman

This book presents a thoughtful assessment of the Forest Service's "New Perspectives" program as it evolved into the agency's newly adopted Ecosystem Management policy for our national forests.

To many of us outside the Forest Service, tthe New Perspectives program, begun in 1990, was an exciting initiative plan promoting innovation within the agency, but it was difficult to grasp both in concept and in terms of what it really meant on the ground. This monograph by Pinchot Institute researchers shows that personnel within the agency were also struggling to understand New Perspectives.

The assessment by the Pinchot researchers consisted of a random survey of 553 Forest Service employees and field visits to three national forests. The researchers sought employee perspectives on whether change is taking place in the Forest Service, the degree to which New Perspectives has contributed to that change, and what needs to be done in the future to implement programs like New Perspectives and Ecosystem Management.

More than 70 percent of the employees surveyed agreed that the Forest Service is in the midst of change, from "an agency focused on commodity production to one focused on the management of the forest ecosystem." Nearly half thought the key factor driving this change was pressure from outside organizations. Most felt the New Perspectives program had helped to stimulate the change, but that it was not a key factor.

The monograph offers a wealth of information and insight on New Perspectives and Ecosystem Management in a concise, well-written report. It is not only a quick and interesting read, it also provides important data and interpretation for policymakers.