What is ecologically sustainable forest management (ESFM) and its criteria and indicators?
Ecologically sustainable forest management (ESFM) is managing forests so that they are sustained in perpetuity for the benefit of society by ensuring that the values of forests are not lost or degraded for current and future generations. It brings together the environmental, social and economic values of forests. Principles of ESFM include: • Maintain or increase the full suite of forest values for present and future generations across the NSW native forest estate. • Ensure public participation, access to information, accountability and transparency in the delivery of ESFM. • Ensure legislation, policies, institutional framework, codes, standards and practices related to forest management require and provide incentives for ecologically sustainable management of the native forest estate. • Apply precautionary principles for prevention of environmental degradation. • Apply best available knowledge and adaptive management processes. Monitoring of ESFM occurs through the criteria and indic
