Problem: Certification processes in tropical forests can be instrumental in raising awareness of commercial timber managers and producers of the interrelationship between timber and non-timber production andsustainability in specific forests and forest regions. This is extremely important for species that have both wood and non-wood values and markets and to ensure that timber operations do not negatively affectsubsistence and commercial harvesting of NTFPs from the same forest area. In spite of prote...

Action: This book (downloadable pdf available) tries to provide answers to the following questions:   How applicable are the forest certification schemes to the requirements and issues regarding the harvesting and management of NTFPs? How compatible are the two sets of standards in cases where both types of products can be harvested from the forest? What models have been applied in cases wher...

Problem: In the areas of sustainable harvesting and marketing, there are many examples of what works best for communities given the constraints of limited budgets and resources. With the emphasis on NTFPs, other forms of assistance are needed as compared to merely timber management. Existing are simple monitoring systems with a maximum community involvement - these best practices need to compiled and disseminated to others in the hopes that other countries may learn from the Philippine experience.

Action: It is a practical guide to working with a community towards sustainable NTFP management and describes a step-by-step process by which a community can develop, implement and monitor a plan towards sustainable NTFP use.   It is meant for use of those working with local forest based communities, whether they are community members, NGO representatives or government personnel. It would be useful for DENR, NCIP and NGOs as a resource book for their training and fieldwork   The manual covers the pri...