Because the focus is on practical aspects based on improved insights of underlying ecological principles, the book will appeal to all those engaged in communicating agricultural science to farmers. All the topics covered are based on a huge amount of scientific knowledge and farmers' expertise.

While the subtitle may be 'Learning how to manage trees and forests' a significant proportion of Way out of the Woods focuses on gaining insights from communities, and assisting their own forest management. A short introduction on the need to understand the biological, social and cultural context of any particular forest is followed by case studies from Nepal, Kenya and Bolivia, which give a careful and honest account of the trials, errors and successes experienced in three participatory forest management projects. A concluding chapter highlights the most promising ways of developing management techniques, emphasising the integration of both scientific and local knowledge and the need for trust and openness. Important lessons which ought to help practitioners avoid repeating the same mistakes and point the way to more effective approaches to community participation.