#Sustainable Forestry

"Sustainable Forestry" is a thematic exchange launched after observing that there were no existing networks promoting exchanges on sustainable forestry for practices done by civil society.
The ultimate aim of the Forum Synergies project is to increase the capacity and ability of individuals, NGOs, local and EU governments to deliver forestry management that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

Read our Action Sheet for more information on Sustainable Forestry

4 key principles

The two first workshops (March 2016 UK, November 2016, SRB) established and confirmed 4 key principles which serve as basis for further discussions during upcoming events and offer a guideline for final conclusions.

• A holistic respect for the health of woodlands and forests as natural organisms and systems, which have a validity and even sanctity in their own right, regardless of human intervention
• A sense of stewardship of forests on behalf of humankind now and in the future, rather than selfish or short-term exploitative use of forests
• A sense of communal responsibility for, and pride in, the forests; and of fairness in the provision and allocation of forest-based benefits and resources
• A global perspective, based on care for all the world’s forests and on awareness of the fragility of global ecosystems and climate.

State of the art: In progress
Partner: EuCAN (UK), Ibar Development Organisation (SRB)

The role of forests in times of climate crisis

• Europe’s Forests - which way to go? Interview (link) with Lutz Fähser, project manager of the Nature-oriented forest management in the municipal forest of Lübeck, DE

Portfolio on the situation of forestry and sustainable forest management in different European regions and countries:

• Forum Synergiers’ Fact Sheet on Forests and Woodlands in England
• Forum Synergies’ Fact Sheet on Forests in Western Balkan
• Forum Synergies’ Fact Sheet on Forests in Estonia

Useful links:

• EURO FOREST PORTAL
• European Forest Institute
  selection of some publications:
• Leading the way to a European circular bioeconomy strategy
• Social Innovation to Sustain Rural Communities: Overcoming Institutional Challenges in Serbia
• Sustainable Forest Manegment in the Westen Balkan Region ny SWG RRD (Sustainable Eastern Europe - Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group
• A new role for forests and the forest sector in the EU post-2020 climate targets and Think Forest Policy Recommendations
• Living with bark beetles: impacts, outlook and management options
• Conference "Governing and managing forests for multiple ecosystem services across the globe", 26-28.2.2020, Bonn; Book of abstracts
• FOREST EUROPE - the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe
  selection of some publications:
• Pro-active management of forests to combat climate change driven risks
• Forests for Human Health:Challenges and Opportunities
• Valuation and Payments for Forest Ecosystem Services in the pan-European region
• The updated pan-European indicators for forest management

Certification schemes:

• FSC Forest Stewardship Council
  selection of some publications:
• Structure and content of National Forest Standrards, 2009
• FSC Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship, 2015
• International Generic Indicators, 2018

• PEFC Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
  selection of some publications:
• PEFC and Forests: Your Climate Change Solution, 2019
• Developing a National Forest Certification System: Your Toolkit, 2019

Working Documents related to this thematic exchange:

Success stories:

• Bergwaldprojekt, involving volunteers to protect and conserve forests in mountain areas in Germany
• Butterfly Conservation Research on Continous Cover Forestry (CCF) and Biodiversity, UK
• EU renewable energy policy and the pressure this is putting on forests
• Examples of Continous Cover Forestry practise in Estonia, EE
• Gemer Region Forest Owners Association, a private organisation promoting the legitimate interests of private forest owners in Slovakia
• La sylviculture écologique dans la forêt communale de Lübeck, DE
• Natura 2000 communication between stakeholders and share of close-to-nature forest management experiences in Hungary
• Nature-oriented forestry in the municipal forest of Lübeck, DE
• The National Forest Company, one of the biggest environmental initiatives creating and managing woodlands in the UK
• Toi l’arbre, a foundation to enhance the well-being of trees and landscapes in France.
• Two publicly-owned woods rescued from neglect in Beaminster, Dorset, England, UK
• Use of wooden biomass in two municipalities in Serbia
• [EXP] Coed Cymru, helping Welsh landowners to manage native woodlands sustainably, for environmental and economic gain
• [EXP] Devon Hedge Group, an example of partnership of local bodies to protect and promote Devon’s world class hedges (UK)
• [EXP] National Forest Company (NFC) – an exemplar of sustainability in all its aspects
• [EXP] Network of Forestry alternatives, bringing together different actors in the favour of ecosystem-friendly forest management in France.
• [EXP] Oxfordshire Woodfuel Programmes “Logs for Labour”, an exchange between volunteers and woodland managers in UK
• [EXP] Small woodland keepers in the UK
• [EXP] Supporting the associations of Private Forest Owners in South East Europe
• [MoI] « Create a Climate for Peace », a programme supporting activists in taking action for sustainable living and climate justice
• [MoI] Forest conservation and executing national law with regard to biodiversity
• [MoI]«  Créer un climat pour la paix  », un programme de soutien aux militants pour une vie durable et une justice climatique

Documents:

• Fact Sheet “Forests and Woodlands in England” - 2016
• Fact Sheet “Forests and Woodlands in Western Balkan” - 2016
• Fact Sheet on “Forests in Estonia” - 2018
• Report - preparatory meeting of Forum Synergies Sustainable Forestry group - 13 January 2012, St. Michel l’Observatoire, France
• Report of 1st Workshop on Sustainable Forest Management, 17-20 March 2016, England, UK
• Report on 2nd Workshop on Sustainable Forest Management 2016, Tara National Park, (SRB)
• Report on 3rd Workshop on Sustainable Forest Management, 18-21 October 2018, Alutaguse Parish, EE