Challenge of Changing Forest Use

In 1905 Theodore Roosevelt stated that forest users would determine the American forest's future. Foresters in general have been identified with timber producers more than with recreationists and other general users. Some user organizations, increasingly critical of the forester's role in land management, are becoming a strong force in forest policy decisions. This article, presents, in historical context, the change in forester-recreation user relations. It discusses some current problems with user organizations and suggests an approach to mutual understanding from a recreationist's point of view.