The origin and early application of the principle of sustainable forest management

Foresters are among the first professionals that developed principles for sustainability. The need for sustainable forests was first expressed in Germany by H.K. von Carlowitz in 1713. Since about 1800 methods to achieve sustainability based on wood volume, forest area, or growing stock have been introduced in all jurisdictions in Germany and Austria. The general acceptance of the sustainability principle, improved education and professionalism of foresters, and the reform of forest administrations have all contributed to the success of forestry in central Europe. In Canada, forest conservation and sustainable management have been discussed since 1907 when university education in forestry was initiated, and sustainability is now firmly established in all provinces. Key words: history of forestry, forest inventory, forest regulation, forest management, G.L. Hartig, H. Cotta, J.C. Hundeshagen, B.E. Fernow