Strategic planning as a tool of sustainable forest management

In the context of the forest policy globalization, strategic planning becomes one of the most important tools for sustainable forest management. Forestry is characterized by a long growth period. It predetermines the need to develop long-term strategic forecasts and plans for the development of forest resources, protection and replanting, timber supply and demand. The development of forest markets requires to balance supply and demand of forest resources. A strategic approach to forest planning requires formulation of a development goal. It should be based on the analysis of external and internal factors. It demands alternative scenarios for developing the forest sector. Monitoring and adjusting the strategic plans should take into account changing conditions. Almost all developed economies have strategic plans for developing their national forest sectors. They provide linkage and coordination of forest development and other economic branches. The planning process is to be consistent with financing, legal and organizational regulation of the economy. The main strategic goal of forest planning is to increase its contribution to sustainable social, economic and environmental development of the nations. Achieving this goal involves the use of market leverage. As an example, two countries are compared - the USA and Finland. Their experience in forest strategic planning can be interesting and useful for other nations. © 14th International Scientific Conference WoodEMA 2021 - The Response of the Forest-Based Sector to Changes in the Global Economy, Proceedings. All rights reserved.