The objectives of landowners must be a strong consideration in any regional biodiversity conservation plan. Public education and landowner incentives can influence private land management. However, it is important to include biological diversity goals in public forest planning and policy formulation. In many regions, maintaining relatively large, unfragmented ecosystems will be particularly important. While in most cases this can be accomplished more easily on public land, private lands also can play an important role.
Regional planning is essential to conserve biological diversity at the landscape level.
Efforts to date indicate that a mix of strategies offers the greatest promise of success. Recommendations Plans for managing forests should include strategies to conserve and enhance biological diversity consistent with landowner objectives. Because biological diversity affects many dimensions of human life, forest planners should consult with other natural resource professionals, social scientists, local and state government planners, and civic and political leaders to ensure that all human needs are being considered. University curricula for forestry and other resource management professions should incorporate knowledge about biological diversity. Continuing education programs should be developed and offered to practicing natural resource professionals to extend their knowledge about biological diversity.