Nelson, Harry

My long-term research interest is in analyzing natural and environmental resource policy with an emphasis on forestry and in developing new policy options that can help enhance the long run sustainability of Canadian forests and the communities and businesses that rely upon them. The forest sector itself is undergoing a structural transformation as the industry has to adapt to changing markets and new opportunities and risks; at the same time, there is an increasing emphasis being placed on the non-market values of those forests, spurred by changing public expectations on how those forests should be managed. Climate change makes the challenges even more complex.

I currently am investigating what role Ecosystem Services could provide as an alternative business model for indigenous groups managing forest lands in BC. I continue to work on assessing the impacts of climate change on how we manage our forests and exploring adaptation options.