Life Science Journal, Volume 8, Issue 1, 2011 http://www.lifesciencesite.com http://www.sciencepub.net/life lifesciencej@gmail.com 508 Perceptions of Forestry and Rangeland Department Specialists on the Role of Extension-Education Activities to Protect Forests (Case of Mazandaran Province, Iran) Mohammad Abedi 1 , Mohammad Sadegh Allahyari 2 and Sharareh Khodamoradi 3 1 Department of Agricultural Management, Islamic Azad University, Ghaemshahr Branch, Iran 2 Department of Agricultural Management, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Iran 3 Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran Email: Allahyari@iautasht.ac.ir Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of forestry and rangeland department specialists in Sari Township regarding the role of extension and education in protection of forests. The population of this study included 230 forest specialists in Sari Township. A stratified random sample of 140 specialists was selected. The research design used for this study utilized descriptive survey research methodology. A questionnaire was developed to assess role of extension-education programs in protection of forests. Findings revealed that education of youth and children at the elementary and secondary school level is also necessary and important in forest protection and conservation. Also results showed that inform to public about worth of forest is very important in protection of forest. The study showed that extension-education methods are important factors in protection of forests. [Mohammad Abedi, Mohammad Sadegh Allahyari and Khodamoradi. Perceptions of Forestry and Rangeland Department Specialists on the Role of Extension-Education Activities to Protect Forests (Case of Mazandaran Province, Iran). Life Science Journal. 2011;8(1):508-511] (ISSN: 1097 – 8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com . Keywords: Forest, rangeland, perception, protection, extension method 1. Introduction There are an estimated 3870 million hectares of forest worldwide, of which almost 95 percent are natural forest and 5 percent are forest plantations. Also, forest cover about 30 percent of the earth‘s land area (FAO, 2001). Developed countries for years to come to the conclusion that the destruction of forest trees will exacerbate air pollution, so cutting old trees and destroying forests in these countries is prohibited. However, other countries that still believe in the importance of forests have not lost to the massive destruction of natural resources (Khabbaz, 2010). Tropical deforestation and degradation of forests in many parts of the world are negatively affecting the availability of forest goods and services. While forest area in developed countries has stabilized and is slightly increasing overall, deforestation has continued in developing countries. The estimated net annual change in forest area worldwide during the past decade was –9.4 million hectares; representing the difference between the estimated annual rates of deforestation of 14.6 million hectares and the estimated annual rate of forest area increase of 5.2 million hectares(FAO, 2001). The causes of forest degradation are varied. Some, such as overexploitation of forest products, can be avoided or minimized by sound forest planning and management, whereas the effects of others, such as natural disasters, can be mitigated by contingency planning. Factors responsible for this loss are the conversion of forestland to produce food for a burgeoning world population, especially in developing countries (FAO, 2000; Swanson, 1997), as well as logging for timber and fuel. These are legitimate human needs and uses of forestland. But, lack of knowledge, and legal and social systems often encourage excessive, non-sustainable land clearing resulting in long-term adverse social and environmental impacts (Jones, 1997). The forestry situation in Iran is no different than other vulnerable areas in the world. There are an estimated 12 million hectares of forest in Iran, while there are 18 million hectares forests in 1950. At present only %11 of this forests are commercial. Figures show that in one year decrease about 12245 hectares forest in Iran (Anonymous, 2009).This forest threatened by unsound forest management activities including inappropriate productivity (too much) by government companies private sector and cooperative, intensive agricultural operations, indiscriminate forest activities and timber use, Lack of vehicles for foresters, smuggling of wood, Lack of near cooperation between forest sector with judicial and disciplinary power, Lack of adequate protection personnel, changing forestlands to agricultural fields, presence of livestock in forests, continuous changes in policies, legislation and programs, lack of education level among personnel, threat of pests and