The tropical moist forest of Honduras runs the risk of vanishing in the near future. Lessons from past experience in setting up forest protection schemes demonstrate that it is impossible to maintain forest reserves when the needs of the forest-dependant rural dwellers are ignored. Ten integrated management areas were established on the North Coast of Honduras as small-scale models of sustainable community forest development.Preliminary results of the CIDA-COHDEFOR Hardwood Forest Development Project indicate that forest management has been incorporated into pit sawing operations by delimiting forest boundaries, undertaking forest inventory and practicing silviculture. Lesser known species are being increasingly used for local and foreign consumption. The organizational and administrative capacity of the beneficiary groups have also been improved.