Mission

To help create strong, ecologically-adapted communities empowered to make and participate in land managment decisions.

To create economic opportunities that are environmentally and culturally acceptable and to develop the business infrastructure and human resources necessary to capture these opportunities.

The Guild achieves these goals by building local capacity through training in job skills, business skills and ecological understanding.

The Forest Guild's community forestry program is grounded in the villages of New Mexico and focuses on the varied needs of these forest-dependent communities. The Guild's rural development strategy includes business assistance, support to the growing forest restoration sector, forestry training for youth, and research that leads to public policy recommendations.

Rural economic development in forest-dependent communities is a difficult undertaking in today's political, environmental, and economic climates. The twin challenges are to create economic opportunities that are environmentally and culturally acceptable, and to develop the business infrastructure and human resources necessary to capture these opportunities.

Business Assistance

In 2002 the Forest Guild assisted American Forest Products in receiving a $395,850 Collaborative Forest Restoration Program grant to thin small diameter trees from forests near Cuba, New Mexico, and to support the development of a biomass energy plant. The Guild also provided training to a crew from Cuba in chainsaw safety and fire basics and behavior. The Cuba crew helped to thin 80 acres on Rowe Mesa, as part of the Valle Grande Grassbank Collaborative Forest Restoration Program and will work with American Forest Products to continue fuel reduction work.

Forestry Education

The Guild works each year with the state of New Mexico and the Forest Service to employ and train young adults in the Forest Guild Youth Corps. Seven youth crews receive theoretical and field training in forest management and restoration, fire history and ecology, watershed health, wildlife, and group dynamics.

Support to the Forest Restoration Sector

The Guild has provided support to communities through forest planning and workforce development. In 2002, the Guild collaborated with the Sierra Land Grant Coalition and the Truchas Land Grant to develop community fire plans.

In 2003, the Guild will provide support to crews in Cuba, Tres Piedras, and Pecos, New Mexico. These crews will offer a suite of services, from basic fuels reduction to assisting with prescribed fires on national forest lands.