The article discusses the challenges and opportunities for sustainable forest development in Russia. It emphasizes the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental factors in forest management. The authors suggest that current forest policies need to be revised to ensure the rights of citizens to use forest resources and protect the environment. They also recommend learning from the experiences of European countries to improve forest management practices. The study highlights the need for better alignment between theory and practice in forestry, as well as the importance of involving local communities in decision-making processes. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the quality of life for people living near forests.