Mexico has implemented a legal framework very conducive to the establishment of community forests and is considered one of the global leaders in community managed forestry, with over 80 percent of its forests under the legal jurisdiction of communities. Through government-recognized tenure and a high degree of local decision-making authority, significant progress has been made over the last 30 years in the development of community forest enterprises (CFEs). There are more than 3,000 communities throughout Mexico who have developed forest management plans and, as of June 2011, 23 CFEs held Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificates verifying their sustainable forest management practices. Successful CFEs have contributed greatly to local development by generating employment and building community assets. Recent studies have shown that sustainably managed community forests can be more effective than protected areas at conserving forestland, and in the reduction of forest degradation and enhancement of forests. (FAO, 2009).