There are several definitions of SFM. The actual concept is both dynamic and complex. It deals with combining the responsibilities of forest owners in respect to the actions and consequences derived from the rational use of the natural resources, taking into account the biological, environmental and economical aspects of the operation.

The Bosques para Siempre BPS Program adheres to the definition provided by the International Tropical Timber Organization ITTO (1991), for which Ecuador is a founding as well as signatory member.

International Tropical Timber Organization’s definition of SFM (1991):

"Sustainable Forest Management is the process of administering in a permanent fashion the land dedicated to forests and of obtaining clearly specified objectives in order to gain a continuous flow of desirable goods and services from the forests, without an improper reduction neither of their inherent values nor of their future productivity, and without improper effects on the physical and social environment"

This concept should be inserted in the national context for the planning and NECESSARY arrangements necessary to regulate the use of soils with a forestry vocation. Ecuador is a signatory member of ITTO.

It is remarkable that the concept of SFM has been defined a long time ago. For example, the definition from the German forester G. L. Hartig in the XVIII century states:

George Ludwig Hartig, 1785: "All good forest managements must..... possess productive woodlands ..... and force itself to utilize them as much as possible, but in a such a way that future generations would be able to obtain at least the same amount of benefits as today's generation is demanding at present"

The above mentioned definition shows the degree of difficulty to effectively establish a SFM Program and the lack of proactive policies in some countries.