The relationship between vital local economies, community well-being, and forest ecosystem health is important in rural communities that depend on the forest for their economic prosperity. Acknowledging this reciprocal relationship between healthy communities and healthy ecosystems is central to the Foundation’s approach to maximizing forest benefits while ensuring better forests for the future.

The Vital Forests / Vital Communities Initiative currently is working in three areas: Forest Productivity, Family Forest Stewardship, and Working Forest Conservation Easements. Read the VFVC Project Matrix for a complete listing of the Initiative's work.