Local Governance of Forests and the Role of External Organizations: Some Ties Matter More Than Others

► Most user groups in Bolivia have created their own forest governance arrangements. ► Support from external organizations can increase the likelihood of local governance. ► Bolivian forest users report a wide variety of relationships with external actors. ► Users facing high uncertainty prefer working with municipalities over other actors. ► Municipal support improves the prospects for self-governance by Bolivian forest users.