The degradation of natural resources is one of the most serious challenges facing contemporary societies, and it occurs more frequently in developing countries. Forests, as vital biological and natural resources particularly in Iran are continuously subjected to degradation. Timber smuggling, as one of the prevalent methods of deforestation, has irreversible consequences for the environment. Therefore, examining the underlying factors leading to timber smuggling is of great importance. This study aimed to evaluate and analyze the economic-livelihood and managerial-legal factors influencing timber smuggling from the perspectives of executive experts of the Natural Resources Department and local communities in Urmia County, located in West Azerbaijan Province. Data collection was conducted through both library and field studies. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient calculated for each section of the questionnaire was above 0.7. A total of 30 questionnaires were completed by executive experts and 30 by local community members. The Friedman test was employed to rank the economic-livelihood and managerial-legal factors influencing timber smuggling from the perspectives of both executive experts and local communities, . From the perspective of executive experts, the key factors were: shortage of protective personnel, lack of equipment for forest rangers, absence of an effective monitoring system, deficiency in tracking and identification systems for smuggled timber, and inadequate use of modern technologies.. Only through such consultative institutions can context-based, integrated, and widely accepted strategies be developed—strategies that simultaneously address the immediate livelihood needs of local communities and ensure the achievement of long-term conservation goals. Ultimately, success in curbing timber smuggling depends on fostering a collective will and national determination in which forest protection is defined as both a shared responsibility and a developmental opportunity for all stakeholders.