DEVELOPMENT OR DEPENDENCY - SUSTAINING ALABAMA FOREST COMMUNITIES

Comparison of two forest-dependent communities: tips in Alabama illust rates how prospects for sustainable development are shaped by history, social structure, prevailing pattern of resource ownership, and fores t industrial sector structure. Opportunities appear stronger if a comm unity's forest products industry is diversified and entrepreneurial sp irit is strong. Conversely, simply recruiting forest industry will not lead to sustainable development and might, in the absence of round po licy, actually impede it. Truly sustainable development requires expan ding people's opportunities and protecting and enhancing the natural r esource base on which those opportunities are built.