Forest science and forest policy in the Americas: building bridges to a sustainable future

Making forest policies that help bridge from the current situation to a sustainable future requires sound scientific information. Too often, scientific information is available, yet policy makers do not use it. At a workshop in Costa Rica, attendees from the Americas reviewed 16 case studies where forest science influenced forest policies and identified six reasons. Two reasons related to the content of research programs and four to personal characteristics of researchers. Research programs that practice continuous innovation and adaptive management retained their relevancy to policy makers. Market-based and incentive approaches work better than regulatory ones, so economic and social sciences are critical parts of the research portfolio. Key attributes of influential scientists include an understanding of the policy process and how it differs from the science process; a willingness to engage in the policy arena and bear the associated risks; an adeptness at communicating early and often, matching the means and message to various audiences; and a penchant for collaboration that builds the trust essential to influence policy.