Measuring the forest and income impacts of forest user group participation under Malawi's Forest Co-management Program

We evaluate the impacts of forest user group participation under Malawi's Forest Co-management Program on forest clearing and household income. We use panel data collected in 2002 and 2009 in two districts of Malawi. We employ a two-step regression strategy to control for endogenous selection into the program. Using propensity score weighting and propensity score analysis with non-parametric regression, we find that the program lowered the rate and extent of forest clearing. We also find that the program had no discernible impact on household forest incomes, suggesting that the program helped achieve environmental goals without compromising household livelihoods.