Absorbing the shock: helping communities when change erupts.

Abstract

Changing natural resource policies and new ecosystem management strategies affect the people of the Pacific Northwest. But in what context are these changes happening? How can we measure them? And how are they related to economic and community development activities?

When the Northwest Forest Plan was implemented, it included the Northwest Economic Adjustment Initiative, which was designed to mitigate adverse economic change and increase federal, state, local and tribal collaboration.

A research team at the Pacific Northwest Research Station has investigated the previous questions and developed interpretation and supporting geographical displays of an array of social and economic indicators to answer them.

The research results provide economic development practitioners and ecosystem managers with the foundation for effective ecosystem management and economic development that will be relevant and respectful to the people of the region.

Citation

Duncan, Sally. 2001. Absorbing the shock: helping communities when change erupts. Science Findings. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. September (37): 1-5