news - FOREST EUROPE https://foresteurope.org Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe Wed, 10 Jul 2024 15:27:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://foresteurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/cropped-favicon-32x32.png news - FOREST EUROPE https://foresteurope.org 32 32 World Youth Skills Day: Insights from IFSA Members on Working with FOREST EUROPE https://foresteurope.org/world-youth-skills-day-insights-from-ifsa-members-on-working-with-forest-europe/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=world-youth-skills-day-insights-from-ifsa-members-on-working-with-forest-europe Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:00:51 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=24216 In celebration of World Youth Skills Day, we bring you stories from five exceptional young professionals from the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) who have worked closely with FOREST EUROPE […]

The post World Youth Skills Day: Insights from IFSA Members on Working with FOREST EUROPE first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
In celebration of World Youth Skills Day, we bring you stories from five exceptional young professionals from the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) who have worked closely with FOREST EUROPE in the past three years as part of the German chairmanship of this political process. These experiences highlight how FOREST EUROPE has supported their development, provided invaluable learning opportunities, and actively included youth in their initiatives.

Volodymyr Kravets: Developing Communication and Negotiation Skills

As the Head of the FOREST EUROPE Sub-Commission in IFSA, Volodymyr Kravets has had the unique opportunity to engage in High-Level Policy Dialogues, Expert Level Meetings, and preparations for the upcoming 9th Ministerial Conference. He shares, “These experiences allowed me to see political dialogue and negotiations on an international level, and even participate directly. FOREST EUROPE’s strong capacity support helped us communicate our ideas effectively, leading to impactful suggestions.”

Volodymyr’s involvement has not only sharpened his communication skills but also provided insights into political trends and the demand for forestry specialists. “The skills and knowledge gained in policy development and negotiations open new opportunities and give insights into what actual work can be like,” he adds.

Lea Arbogast: Overcoming Intimidation in Political Processes

Lea Arbogast, who is currently writing her Bachelor’s Thesis on youth integration in environmental political processes, reflects on her experiences with FOREST EUROPE. “Through this event, I learned to be less afraid of political processes and the people involved. Everyone is only human and learns together, regardless of age,” she says.

FOREST EUROPE has provided a platform for youth to have an active voice in shaping their future. “They gave us the platform to have an active voice on equal ground, which is truly empowering,” Lea emphasizes.

Nikolina Mencin: Gaining Insights into Sustainable Forest Management

Nikolina Mencin highlights the knowledge she gained about sustainable forest management and the role of forests in achieving a sustainable economy. Working with FOREST EUROPE, I learned about the importance of collaboration and skilled workforces,” she notes.

Her experience in policy dialogues and effective communication within a pan-European context has enriched her understanding of forest governance and sustainability, equipping her to contribute meaningfully to the field.

Raghav Sharma: Participating in High-Level Discussions

Raghav Sharma shares how FOREST EUROPE actively involves youth in meaningful ways. “FOREST EUROPE includes young people in Expert Level Meetings and collaborates with IFSA to gather youth perspectives,” he explains. Workshops conducted by FOREST EUROPE have gathered valuable insights from young foresters, which will be presented at the 9th Ministerial Conference.

“Participating in these high-level discussions has been an incredible opportunity for personal and professional growth. It significantly enhanced my knowledge and boosted my confidence,” Raghav adds.

Alina Lehikoinen: Building Confidence and Leadership

Alina Lehikoinen’s work with FOREST EUROPE has made her feel like a true equal in the forestry field. “This has meant opportunities for leadership while having a space to learn and ask questions without judgment,” she shares.

The inclusive and supportive environment created by FOREST EUROPE has inspired Alina to improve other working environments. “I have tried to develop my working environments in a collaborative, respectful, and encouraging direction,” she notes.

These stories from IFSA members underscore the significant impact FOREST EUROPE has on young professionals in the forestry sector. By providing opportunities for active participation, skill development, and leadership, FOREST EUROPE is helping to shape the future of sustainable forest management with the valuable input of the next generation. The entire interview with all the IFSA delegates can be found here.

As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, we recognize the importance of such collaborations in fostering the growth and development of young professionals who are passionate about making a difference in the world.

The post World Youth Skills Day: Insights from IFSA Members on Working with FOREST EUROPE first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Gearing up for the 9th Ministerial Conference: FOREST EUROPE’s Expert Level Meeting set the stage https://conference.foresteurope.org/gearing-up-for-the-9th-ministerial-conference-forest-europes-expert-level-meeting-set-the-stage/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gearing-up-for-the-9th-ministerial-conference-forest-europes-expert-level-meeting-set-the-stage Thu, 04 Jul 2024 11:43:18 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=24213 The last Expert Level Meeting (ELM) under German chairmanship took place in Freising, close to Munich, from 4-5 June 2024 and brought together 47 representatives from 26 signatory countries, the European […]

The post Gearing up for the 9th Ministerial Conference: FOREST EUROPE’s Expert Level Meeting set the stage first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
The last Expert Level Meeting (ELM) under German chairmanship took place in Freising, close to Munich, from 4-5 June 2024 and brought together 47 representatives from 26 signatory countries, the European Commission, and nine observer organizations. This gathering was pivotal in discussing and shaping the future of sustainable forest management (SFM) and forest risk reduction in Europe by negotiating and finalizing the Bonn Ministerial Documents and its annexes.

The post Gearing up for the 9th Ministerial Conference: FOREST EUROPE’s Expert Level Meeting set the stage first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Drought adaptation of Forests in Europe – Practical Strategies https://foresteurope.org/drought-adaptation-of-forests-in-europe-practical-strategies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=drought-adaptation-of-forests-in-europe-practical-strategies Fri, 07 Jun 2024 09:43:26 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=24196 Extreme droughts are expected to increase in frequency and severity and together with rising temperatures weaken trees, threatening forest ecosystems and the services provided. Extensive tree dieback and mortality related […]

The post Drought adaptation of Forests in Europe – Practical Strategies first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Extreme droughts are expected to increase in frequency and severity and together with rising temperatures weaken trees, threatening forest ecosystems and the services provided. Extensive tree dieback and mortality related to drought have already been detected across the globe and require more effective strategies to adapt forests to such droughts and increasing forest resistance and resilience.

With this second FoRISK webinar on the topic of drought, “Drought Adaptation of Forests in Europe – Practical Strategies,” FOREST EUROPE, in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), continues the journey to delve into measures we might take at regional, national or international level to support Europe’s forests to adapt to drought, to unravel the science behind these recommendations and provide practical guidance on the measures.

Extreme drought event in Central Europe in 2018: Its impact on beech forests and their recovery

The first presentation by Ansgar Kahmen, Professor of Physiological Plant Ecology and Head of the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Basel, Switzerland, focused on the results of his research on the extreme drought in Central Europe in 2018 and its devastating impact on forest trees. In particular, the vulnerability of European beech was discussed, but also whether recovery is possible. First, he explained that 2018 cannot be considered an isolated event, but is part of a trajectory towards a hotter and dryer climate. Six of the nine hottest summers of the past 120 years occurred in the last decade.

Since the 1980s, an increasing evaporative demand in the atmosphere has been observed, accompanied by a progressive decline in tree health. In beech trees, increasing crown damage became visible, which became even more severe after the extreme years of 2003 and 2018. Measurements of hydraulic conductivity in 2018 showed that vascular transport in beech trees was reduced or interrupted by up to 80%, and had been causing canopy decline. The higher susceptibility of beech compared to oak or maple can be explained by the differences in the rooting depth of the tree species: beech has only a shallow rooting system and is the first to run out of water.

But what about recovery? Severe symptoms of canopy defoliation were also present in the following year, in spring 2019, and thereafter. It was found that hydraulic conductivity had not been restored in symptomatic branches and that the amount of intact conducting tissue (or xylem area), directly relates with the foliage area of a branch. Drought is causing partial and irreversible loss of hydraulic conductivity, and without a fully developed canopy, the risk for tree mortality is increasing. He concluded his talk with an appeal to reason that, given the unceasing trend towards a new, warmer climate, we better study the acclimation and adaptation potential to future climate, rather than trying to understand a tree’s recovery potential to a past climate.

How to choose climate-adapted tree species and compositions for future mixed forest stands

The webinar continued with a presentation by Heidi Döbbeler, forest scientist at the Northwest German Forest Research Station (NW-FVA), working in the department of Forest Growth on the development of a decision support tool for hessian forest owners. The project “Maps for climate risk and forest development types as an improved consulting foundation for new challenges for Hessian forest owners” is part of the integrated climate protection plan and funded in collaboration with the state-owned forest and the German Forest Owners Association by the ministry of Hesse in Germany.

In Hesse, a temperature rise from 15.4 to 17.3 °C is expected, which will increase evapotranspiration but also extend the growing season. Accompanied by a decrease in precipitation during summer, this will have a negative impact on the climatic water balance and, thus, on the water available for plants during the growing season. In addition to these regional climatic data, information on soil property is a prerequisite for calculating the site-specific water balance, which is an important indicator of drought stress for trees under future climatic conditions at a given forest site in Hesse.

In a next step, tree species and their potential role in the future were categorized according to their tolerance to drought stress depending on the site water balance. The categories were defined as leading, mixed, accompanying, or excluded tree species. As an example, even if European beech will have problems in Hesse in the future and its distribution will be limited as a result, it will still remain part of the forest. Recommendations for forest development types (FDT) for mixed forests were compiled by intersecting ecograms of leading and mixed tree species. As an example, the oak-beech/hornbeam FDT consists of 80-60 % oak, 20-10 % beech, and 10% accompanying other tree species. 32 FDTs have been defined and include information on management practices, their socio-economic potential and closeness to nature. Every forest owner in Hesse is provided with site-specific recommendations and can freely access the information via a web portal or mobile application. Under the assumption that disturbances have a species or structure-specific effect, facing them by mixed, site-adapted, and structurally rich forests will reduce the susceptibility of forests and instead increase stability and resilience.

Potential of thinning to increase drought tolerance

Following was a presentation by Julia Schwarz, working at the Swiss Federal Research Institute as a researcher for silviculture and climate change and expert in the field of ecology and management of forest ecosystems. She provided insights into whether thinning can offer an adaptation strategy to drought. While long-term adaptation approaches aim at creating structurally and species-rich mixed forests in the future, short- to medium-term adaptation approaches must work with the existing forest stand and thinning might be a way of adaptation to drought stress.

Thinning reduces the amount of trees per area and thereby promotes the growth and vitality of the remaining trees by reducing the competition for natural resources, such as light, water, and nutrients. Thinning regimes may vary in intensity, frequency, by the age of the trees and the type applied (e.g. crown thinning). The short-term impacts at the stand level have been found to range from positive effects on the water balance due to fewer trees and less leaf area, lower evapotranspiration and higher soil moisture to negative effects due to an increased understory growth, increasing solar radiation and higher soil evaporation. At tree level, trees have more space, increased fine root growth with no change in transpiration or increasing transpiration. In medium terms, trees have been found to increase their crowns, their overall root system, the water extraction capacity and their growth rates. At stand level this means that evapotranspiration is reduced after thinning only for a short period of time before it returns to pre-thinning levels.

But can the advantages of thinned stands outweigh the disadvantages of un-thinned stands during drought? What are the effects on tree growth during and after drought? Clear answer: thinning can mitigate drought-induced growth decline and mortality due to higher soil water availability and water extraction capacity during moderate droughts, while trees in denser stands experience drought earlier and more extreme. But during an extreme event where soil water is depleted thinning will have no effect. Thinning effects are highly dependent on drought severity. She concluded her presentation with the recommendation for regular, moderate thinnings that will contribute to mitigating growth decline and mortality during moderate droughts.

Pine and mistletoe– insights from Poland and Switzerland

Concluding the presentations were Andreas Rigling, Professor of Forest Growth at ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Research Institute, with his presentation “The impact of mistletoe on Scots pine performance in a dryer future” together with Wojciech Kędziora, assistant professor at the Institute of Forest Sciences at Warsaw University of Life Sciences and his presentation “Problem with mistletoe in Poland.”

Mistletoes are hemiparasitic plants, well known for using the host’s water supply for their own photosynthetic capacity. When growing on a thriving host plant, they can get as old as 30 years. In central Europe Scots pine is a known host tree. In the host tree, the infection causes a reduced growth rate of branches, and with increasing infection numbers, branch diameter, and length, but also needle length and age, have been found to be negatively affected until even crown architecture and assimilation capacity are affected.

But what if a tree’s water balance is put under additional pressure by drought stress? While trees are able to reduce their water loss by closure of their stomata during a drought event, the mistletoes continue to transpire, thereby increasing the tree’s drought stress. With increasing infection numbers, differences in growth are exacerbated, causing defoliation, growth decline and a reduction in carbon assimilation up to 80%, and finally, increasing significantly the risk of tree mortality in combination with drought stress.

On the positive side, mistletoes not only indirectly contribute to reshaping forests in structure and tree species composition in the long term but also directly improve soil nutrient availability due to their nutrient-rich litter.

In Poland, mistletoe has only recently gained higher attention, and only after 2015-18 has it been perceived as a major problem. To assess the extent of the forests, ground-based monitoring programs were started, but were soon found to be greatly underestimating the actual infection numbers on trees. Most of the mistletoes are growing in the middle of the tree, which is not visible from the ground. The observation has been that mistletoes prefer older stands, stands with lower soil fertility, taller trees with sparse crowns, and more likely to appear at forest edges. There is great hope in the use of drones for inventory programs, but really, only a few management options are available. While pruning, thinning, or clear-cutting promise only limited success, long-term strategies will rely on rebuilding the forests with more diverse tree species compositions. Wider discussions between forest owners, forest industry, management, and public society, as well as cross-border communication, are needed.

Cross-border communication and sharing of experiences is going to be the core business of a future FoRISK. This webinar gave an outlook on a future FoRISK in action that promotes cross-border exchange and cooperation. Here, you can find all the presentations shared during the webinar.

The recording of the event can be found here:

The post Drought adaptation of Forests in Europe – Practical Strategies first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Report on Novel Green Forest Jobs in pan-Europe is published! https://foresteurope.org/report-on-novel-green-forest-jobs-in-pan-europe-is-published/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=report-on-novel-green-forest-jobs-in-pan-europe-is-published Tue, 14 May 2024 08:38:48 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=24186 Curious to read more about the transformation of the forestry sector and related jobs? Do you want to learn about perceptions of Novel Green Forest Jobs (what actually are those?) […]

The post Report on Novel Green Forest Jobs in pan-Europe is published! first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Curious to read more about the transformation of the forestry sector and related jobs? Do you want to learn about perceptions of Novel Green Forest Jobs (what actually are those?) and how different countries treat them? Your curiosity can be satisfied.

Our new report, written by the Expert Group of Green Jobs by FOREST EUROPE, sheds light on the topic of Novel Green Forest Jobs. It summarizes the state of the art in literature reviews, the results from a survey sent to esteemed experts, and a workshop where participants discussed and exchanged knowledge. The take-home messages are tailored to policy makers, researchers, and academia/education, enabling you to get the most interesting information at a glance.

Enjoy reading and download it here!

The post Report on Novel Green Forest Jobs in pan-Europe is published! first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Spotlight on genetic diversity: an unseen ally in adapting forests to drought https://foresteurope.org/spotlight-on-genetic-diversity-an-unseen-ally-in-adapting-forests-to-drought/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spotlight-on-genetic-diversity-an-unseen-ally-in-adapting-forests-to-drought Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:46:56 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=24154 Drought events are expected to be more frequent and more extreme in the forthcoming decades due to climate change. Already in the past decade we have seen in Europe some […]

The post Spotlight on genetic diversity: an unseen ally in adapting forests to drought first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Drought events are expected to be more frequent and more extreme in the forthcoming decades due to climate change. Already in the past decade we have seen in Europe some of the most severe droughts on record. Leading to dramatic forest tree dieback in Europe. Many forest tree species are affected, even rather drought-resistant sessile oaks, and especially when they grow under limiting environmental conditions.

Understanding of the genetics underlying drought adaptation and wise use of forest genetic diversity has unseen power to improve forest stand vitality and guide management decisions to adapt Europe´s forests to climate change. With our new webinar “SPOTLIGHT ON GENETIC DIVERSITY: An unseen ally in adapting forests to drought” FOREST EUROPE together with the European Forest Resources Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN), the EU-funded H2020 project FORGENIUS (FORest GENetic Resources Information and Services for End-USers) and EFI did focus on both the potential and limits of genetic adaptation of forest tree stands to drought, presenting on the latest science and how it can support management strategies and policies at regional, national and international level to foster adaptation to drought in European forests.

The first presentation by Maurizio Mencuccini, ICREA Research Professor at the Ecological and Forestry Applications Research Centre – CREAF (Barcelona, Spain) and Honorary Professor of Forest Science at the University of Edinburgh (UK) provided insights into the impacts of climate change on the physiology of trees and forests and illustrated “What happens to trees during and after drought?”. He started by explaining the impact of climate change on European forests: the long-term trend of hotter, more severe droughts and the probability of very long mega-droughts is increasing. While this is the general expectation for European forests, he reminded that no two droughts are the same; they differ in intensity and duration and vary for each location and so will the responses of the trees and the reasons by which trees can die. Severe droughts, especially if they occur repeatedly may lead to permanent damage causing tree mortality. The traits and their variation in tree species that decide on a tree’s vulnerability to mortality are under investigation; hydraulic systems in trees allow also to transport water from the roots to the shoots during drought; however, hydraulic safety defines the level of resistance, how long a tree continues to do so, and varies greatly in trees. This is why some species die of drought because of either thirst (desiccation) or hunger (running out of sugars). The efficiency and the safety of the tree hydraulic system are among the most important traits controlling how fast a tree can die of drought.

The webinar continued with a joint presentation by Delphine Grivet and Aida Solé-Medina, both researchers at the Institute of Forest Sciences (ICIFOR), INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain, taking us on a journey investigating the genetic diversity among and within tree species and unravelling the genetic basis of such variation (presentation: Genetic bases of drought response in Mediterranean pines: why variation among populations and individuals matter?. Since trees are long-lived and sessile organisms, tree species need to ensure their survival and adapt to environmental changes either via changes in the phenotype (phenotypic plasticity) or through intra-specific genetic variability. Looking at stone pine (Pinus pinea) and Mediterranean pine (Pinus pinaster) differences in trees adaptation strategies can be observed, the former showing greater phenotypic variability, the latter higher intra-specific variability when adapting to the local climate. In a next step it is important to find a way to identify the basis of the genetic variation enabling climate change adaptation. Here, the identification of molecular markers, genes that are e.g. involved in heat stress tolerance, and associating the genotype with a specific phenotype (e.g. higher survival) will not only help disentangle the phenotypic and genetic responses of forest populations, but could also lead to predictions of future species distributions or guide restoration programmes. Another way to understand the response of forest tree populations is by use of common garden experiments, e.g. planting trees from different tree populations in the same environment and observe the variations occurring. Populations from drier climates tend to grow slower and invest more in the belowground biomass for drought survival. Conserving and supporting intraspecific genetic diversity is crucial for forest management as it enhances the potential of the species to adapt to new environmental conditions imposed by climate change, there may very well be pre-adapted specimen to future or yet unknown conditions.

Following was a presentation by Stéphane Maury, Professor of Plant Physiology and Epigenetics at the University of Orléans in France and a driving force in understanding the evolutionary and functional impact of epigenetic variation in forest trees. He focused on the topic Epigenetics: what’s in it for tree adaptation?.

Epigenetic mechanisms facilitate rapid phenotypic modifications in response to environmental changes without altering the DNA sequence and poses a way for forest trees to adapt quickly to local environmental changes even during their long life-cycles. Surprisingly, epigenetic variability that allows acclimation or tolerance of stress has remained largely unstudied in forest trees. Stéphane Maury developed a new epigenetic axis on poplar, the genetic model tree, deciphering phenotypic plasticity and adaptation in response to water deficit in forest trees. He explained that when studying clonal propagation material of trees generated either under cold or warm growing conditions, the saplings will memorize the treatment even after plantation and this effect, called epigenetic memory, will continue to control their phenology and planting material could be planted according to this imprinting.

Concluding the presentations, Iskender Demirtas from the General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Erosion in Türkiye offered a vision of the ongoing genetic research carried out in Türkiye Increasing climate change emphasizes the importance of species adapted especially to arid conditions. Research studies focused on species with the ability to adapt to the arid and semi-arid conditions in forest areas in Türkiye. Research was carried out on pear and hawthorn tree species between 2018 and 2022. Throughout these two studies, wild pear genotype samples were collected from 96 different points of Turkey and hawthorn genotype samples were collected from 94 different points of Türkiye, depending on certain criteria, and were examined in the laboratory and nursery conditions. As a result of the two research studies in question, the possibilities of using tree species genotypes in afforestation and rehabilitation studies in arid-semi-arid areas were tried to be determined. Similar studies are ongoing with poplar.

The webinar was closed with a panel discussion and questions by the audience. You can see the recording of this webinar here:

We will continue with the important work providing insights into drought stress and offering practical strategies for adapting forests in Europe to droughts. Join our second webinar on May 17th, 2024.

The post Spotlight on genetic diversity: an unseen ally in adapting forests to drought first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Expert Group Meeting “Green Forest Jobs” paves the way for a sustainable forest sector https://foresteurope.org/expert-group-meeting-green-forest-jobs-paves-the-way-for-a-sustainable-forest-sector/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=expert-group-meeting-green-forest-jobs-paves-the-way-for-a-sustainable-forest-sector Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:47:26 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=24141 In April, the FOREST EUROPE Expert Group on Green Forest Jobs gathered in Arnsberg, Germany, at the invitation of “Wald und Holz NRW.” Against the backdrop of Arnsberg’s natural beauty, […]

The post Expert Group Meeting “Green Forest Jobs” paves the way for a sustainable forest sector first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
In April, the FOREST EUROPE Expert Group on Green Forest Jobs gathered in Arnsberg, Germany, at the invitation of “Wald und Holz NRW.” Against the backdrop of Arnsberg’s natural beauty, experts from across Europe came together to explore ways towards a greener and more sustainable forest sector.

During the meeting, the focal points were the presentation of a report on Novel Green Forest Jobs and the formulation of policy recommendations to promote Green Forest Jobs to policymakers. Experts further discussed important topics like new and innovative roles of jobs in the forestry sector and attractive and engaging ways to communicate these stories to the world. They also talked about how to represent their work effectively at the upcoming IUFRO World Congress in Stockholm.

The second day of the meeting was all about finding better ways to measure the work and jobs in the forestry sector. Participants shared ideas and experiences to improve our understanding of employment in forestry. The meeting ended with a field trip to the nearby Arnsberg forest, where the experts learned about managing forests in the face of climate change and how to deal with forests that have been affected by disturbances like storms or fires.

Photo: Wald und Holz NRW

“We want to thank ‘Wald und Holz NRW’ for their warm welcome and excellent organization,” said Vera Steinberg, workstream leader of Green Jobs and Forest Education and policy advisor at FOREST EUROPE. “Their support made this meeting possible and helped us take important steps to attract the workforce of tomorrow, thus ensuring the sustainable management of our forests.”

The Expert Group Meeting on Green Forest Jobs shows what can be achieved when people work together. By sharing knowledge and ideas, we can build a future where forests thrive, providing benefits for both nature and people.

For further information, please contact:

Vera Steinberg
FOREST EUROPE Liaison Unit Bonn
Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe
Tel.: +49 151 744 827 43
Mail: vera.steinberg@foresteurope.org
www.linktr.ee/foresteurope
Thilo Wagner
Wald und Holz NRW
Alter Holzweg 93
59755 Arnsberg
Tel.: +49 2931 7866 311
Mobil:+49 171 5870096
Mail: Thilo.Wagner@wald-und-holz.nrw.de

The post Expert Group Meeting “Green Forest Jobs” paves the way for a sustainable forest sector first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Improving biodiversity monitoring in sustainable forest management https://foresteurope.org/improving-biodiversity-monitoring-in-sustainable-forest-management/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=improving-biodiversity-monitoring-in-sustainable-forest-management Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:41:17 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=24115 Biodiversity is prominently discussed nationally and internationally, reflecting, for example, on the best way to efficiently monitor it and how to enhance and maintain it through Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). […]

The post Improving biodiversity monitoring in sustainable forest management first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Biodiversity is prominently discussed nationally and internationally, reflecting, for example, on the best way to efficiently monitor it and how to enhance and maintain it through Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).  

Several decades ago, FOREST EUROPE developed a set of Criteria and Indicators (C&I) for SFM, that was improved and revised over the years. Those are publicly available, and countries use it as a very important tool for national and European forest policy, and for the development of their National Forest Inventories. Based on the information obtained by these C&I, the State of Europe’s Forests report is regularly published every five years.  

The existing pan-European indicators (available here) need to be further developed to adequately address the new and complex demands on forests due to threats triggered by climate change, habitat change, and species loss (Prins et al., 2023). The FE indicators revision process aims to be in coherence with the main political goals and instruments such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Aichi-Targets, Global Forest Goals, EU forest biodiversity-related strategies, etc. 

You can discover more reading:  

Reference  

 Prins, K.; Köhl, M.; Linser, S. (2023): Is the concept of sustainable forest management still fit for purpose? EnvSciPol, forthcoming 

The post Improving biodiversity monitoring in sustainable forest management first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
The roots of innovation – setting the course for innovation and sustainable growth in the forest sector https://foresteurope.org/the-roots-of-innovation-setting-the-course-for-innovation-and-sustainable-growth-in-the-forest-sector/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-roots-of-innovation-setting-the-course-for-innovation-and-sustainable-growth-in-the-forest-sector Thu, 21 Mar 2024 08:00:47 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=24025 Forests provide numerous benefits to society, ranging from products such as timber to services including landscape amenities, recreation opportunities, biodiversity protection, clean air and water, and climate change mitigation through […]

The post The roots of innovation – setting the course for innovation and sustainable growth in the forest sector first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Forests provide numerous benefits to society, ranging from products such as timber to services including landscape amenities, recreation opportunities, biodiversity protection, clean air and water, and climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. As the importance of these goods and services continues to grow, the forest sector is increasingly considered a key pillar of the future, providing solutions to the countless challenges that society is currently facing. Today, innovation is more crucial than ever for overcoming global challenges. It is essential to understand that innovation is more than just a good idea – it requires the combination of people, resources, and a supportive political environment!

This year, the International Day of Forests (IDF) theme is ‘Forests and Innovation.’ In alignment with this theme, FOREST EUROPE organized a webinar on 14 March 2024 to commemorate the day. The IDF, which is celebrated annually on 21 March, celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. More than 110 participants joined our webinar, which aimed to highlight the importance of innovation by showcasing existing innovative practices and exploring ways of addressing the topic at the policy level.

Representatives of networks, including the Forest-based Sector Technology Platform (FTP), WoodPoP, and Future Forest Initiative (FFI), as well as start-ups like Breeze Technologies and Forest Mapping Management, provided insights from the practical perspective. They highlighted the uniqueness of their work ranging from their mission, roles, business models for forest owners and other stakeholders, and the integration of technology to address challenges such as wildfire detection and forest mapping processes. Speakers from Austria and Spain shared knowledge about their countries’ innovation ecosystems, contributing to a deeper understanding of the existing policies and the innovation-friendly environment they create. Structures and strategies directed towards foresters and government are necessary for the achievement of smooth dynamics between practice and policy.

In addition, participants had the opportunity to network with other start-ups and networks in the ‘Room for Innovation’ session, comprising of 4 breakout rooms: EFI Bioregions Facility, Firepoctep+ project, Lykaia and Forest.io. See here all the presentations.

Some of the key messages from the speakers on how to promote innovation in the forest sector included the importance of aligning priorities, coordinating policies, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, creating enabling environments, including funding opportunities and other support services, and integrating policy, science, and practice at all levels. Embracing digital skills and fostering cooperation and co-creation were also emphasized.

Watch here the recorded webinar

The next webinar from the “From the Roots to the Canopy” series will be Spotlight on Forest Genetics: An Unseen Ally in Adapting Forests to Drought on 15 April 2024, 10:00-12:00 CEST, in collaboration with FORGENIUS and EUFORGEN. Mark your calendars and watch the webinar live on youtube.com/foresteurope/live

The post The roots of innovation – setting the course for innovation and sustainable growth in the forest sector first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
Registration for the 9th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference is NOW open! https://foresteurope.org/registration-for-the-9th-forest-europe-ministerial-conference-is-now-open/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=registration-for-the-9th-forest-europe-ministerial-conference-is-now-open Wed, 20 Mar 2024 15:07:18 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=24016 The FOREST EUROPE Secretariat is happy to announce the registration opening for the 9th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference, which will be held on the 1 and 2 October 2024 in Konigswinter, […]

The post Registration for the 9th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference is NOW open! first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>

FOREST EUROPE Signatories and Observers are welcome to register promptly through this Eventbrite form (click here for Signatories) (click here for Observers) using the password shared via email by our Secretariat. The registration deadline is 15 June 2024. 

Please register as soon as possible and plan your trip accordingly, adding the details of your travels in the registration form right away or before registration closes. Keep in mind that we have two hotels contingent on you with an optimal price, but for a limited time and based on availability—hurry up with picking the best option for you!

Our Secretariat wants to show you the highlights of the region! The excursion on 2 October 2024 (2-5 PM CEST) is entitled Rhine Romanticism and Forests – Between Utopia and Reality. We offer two different tours, ending at the beautiful Drachenfels castle. There, we will share more information about the historical landscape, and the stunning view will be accompanied by typical German delicacies. Follow the registration to express your choice.

Finally, you can discover more insight about the event using the brand-new conference website created for you!

For more info, please contact liaisonunitbonn@foresteurope.org.

Visit the new 9th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference website for more info

The post Registration for the 9th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference is NOW open! first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
IFSA reports on the FOREST EUROPE webinar “Shaping tomorrow’s workforce: Novel Green Forest Jobs” https://foresteurope.org/ifsa-reports-on-the-forest-europe-webinar-shaping-tomorrows-workforce-novel-green-forest-jobs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ifsa-reports-on-the-forest-europe-webinar-shaping-tomorrows-workforce-novel-green-forest-jobs Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:49:02 +0000 https://foresteurope.org/?p=23975 On December 12th, 2023, Forest Europe organized a webinar on the topic “Shaping tomorrow’s workforce: Novel Green Forest Jobs and the transition from tradition,” where the full female panel discussed […]

The post IFSA reports on the FOREST EUROPE webinar “Shaping tomorrow’s workforce: Novel Green Forest Jobs” first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>
On December 12th, 2023, Forest Europe organized a webinar on the topic “Shaping tomorrow’s workforce: Novel Green Forest Jobs and the transition from tradition,” where the full female panel discussed today’s state of green jobs in the forest sector. 5 speakers from diverse backgrounds shared their successful career stories, how they began working with forests in one way or another.

The webinar started with the introduction of the Novel Green Forest Jobs topic, by Ilaria Doimo from ETIFOR. 

She presented a survey carried out by Forest Europe, which focused on identifying the opportunities and challenges in Green Forest Jobs through feedback from different organizations and understanding the future development of Novel Green Forest Jobs. One of the key messages was that the number of jobs in traditional forestry has been decreasing over the past decade while new forestry (novel) jobs are emerging. This trend could be attributed to the development of bioeconomy, mechanization, digitalization, consulting, education, and cultural changes. 

The survey highlighted interesting trends and will be further developed to provide accurate information on the Novel Green Forest Jobs. It will be published in the spring of 2024 by Forest Europe.

The next speaker was Ewa Hermanowicz, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Communications Manager for Europe.

With a background in languages and international relations, she developed her own career, starting at FAO and then working for Bioversity International, followed by making movies on gender equality in India and working with National Geographic to showcase the magnificence of  Icelandic forests. Currently, she is preparing a movie on the wood chain from Congo, describing the challenges of the increasing wood demand and the need to combat deforestation.

Sharing her inspiring career, she highlighted that any kind of talent one has can be used in forestry; one only needs to know what they like, pursue it, and it will work out great!

The next panelist, Silvia Melegari, developed her career path in another branch of the forestry sector, specifically in the wood industry.

Having a background in law, she “accidentally” found herself in the wood industry. One of the decisive factors was her relocation to Brussels, where the main policy negotiations were happening. During her career, she worked with a Wood-based Panel Foundation, and now she is working with the EU organization of Sawmill and Wood Processing Industry and CEI-Bois. The main goal is to advocate for the family business in the EU parliament, work with other lobbying organizations, evaluate the changes that new legislation will bring to the industry, and advise their members accordingly. This is quite a challenging but exciting job, as the parliament is frequently changing, and they have to make sure that new politicians have the importance of the forest industry in mind.

Silvia provided a great example that forest jobs also require an understanding of human relations, and they support businesses in the wood industry.

The next speaker was Lioba Rath, who holds the position at State Forest Enterprise in Switzerland. She shared her experience of working in that part of the forestry sector, which is often called the “most conservative” one, and showed that even there, you can find innovative jobs as the sector is transforming. Same as the previous speakers, she ended up in the forestry sector accidentally, but this time in the digital support for the Enterprise. This includes her in all stages of work, starting from small tasks such as training on how to use measurement tools to high-level strategies such as planning the transportation of wood. 

She has been working just for one year but finds a lot of joy in the work she does. Lioba concluded her presentation with the call that there is a place for everyone, and the field needs it!

The last speaker was the current IFSA President – Isabelle Claire. She shared her path of education and development as a successful story of how the IFSA experience contributes well to the formal education received at the university. A striking example is her recently received position in CIFOR, where her forestry background and soft skills developed in IFSA are extremely useful. 

In addition to this, Isabelle used the opportunity to share youth perspectives on the current state of the forestry sector. It is visible that the sector is aging, and youth are less involved because of the low profitability and lack of training; thus, capacity building is needed. Some of the IFSA’s major projects in that area include the “TreE-Learning” platform and “Gender Open Letter.” 

Isabelle ended her presentation by pointing out that we need to invest in youth and women for the stability of forests and society!

For those who missed the webinar, you can watch the recording on the FOREST EUROPE YouTube channel here.

If you are interested in learning more about the forestry sector, Forest Europe is organizing another webinar on the 14th of March on the topic: “The roots of innovation – setting the course for innovation and sustainable growth in the forest sector.” For more information and registration please follow the link here.

The post IFSA reports on the FOREST EUROPE webinar “Shaping tomorrow’s workforce: Novel Green Forest Jobs” first appeared on FOREST EUROPE.

]]>