Dear collegues
There are two medium size villages located in the periphery of National forest park. Both villages obtained their livelihoods from the forest: illegal logging (major source of income), grazing, hay-making, non regulated collection of berries/mushrooms, etc.
There is ca.100,000 US$ resource to somehow change the behavior of local households and ensure alternatives to wood as a source of commerce and heating/cooking. Could you please elaborate and share succeeded stories for similar interventions? What kind of steps would you suggest to start interventions for coming few days, weeks and months?
In the Code of Federal Regulations, there are various rules and directives on how to manage the US National Forests. https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/regulations-policies
Included in regulations are direction for forest planning, special use permits of various types. Where communities are dependent on fuel wood, there is also some free or low cost permits for firewood. Illegal logging or using resources without permit requires law enforcement and education. Penalties vary from monetary to community service. The National Forests typically share some of the funds with local community in lieu of taxes, help provide opportunity for local logging, mills and small businesses in preference over large industrial companies. Without some rules, chaos and resource damage may occur. Looking for ways to help share with dependent communities and educate why rules are needed to produce sustainable wood, water, recreation, wildlife, etc. Uncontrolled grazing or mining and other activities can lead to excessive resource damage, so plans are made that allow some of these resource uses, but limit resource effects. On my researchgate, you will find an uploaded document about 2004 on soil and water conservation practices. This may give you some ideas how to allow activities, but control the negative aspects. When possible, it is important to allow some free or low cost uses to local dependent communities under the control of a permitting system.
We have tried agro-forestry & horticulture as livelihood options for such communities under TDF programmes in India. I hope you can do a web search & find more details.