Professionalizing foresters

Foresters should look for ways to link communities' needs with other support systems as well. Foresters are often the first bridge between a forest dwelling community and the nation. Their interaction can be fraught with misunderstanding, or it can be the conjoining of common interests. The central linkage for foresters and communities will always be the trees, but there are many other needs within a community such as in the areas of health and education. Forest agencies, being on the front line of rural life, should assist in providing direction to communities on how to approach other government agencies.