#ResponsibleForestry is the solution to today’s challenges to forests: How do European foresters implement forest management on the ground?

PRESS RELEASE ¹
Brussels, 29 August 2022

EUSTAFOR is releasing a second video “Our missions as state foresters” to put the spotlight on the work of foresters on the ground through its #ResponsibleForestry campaign. The release is concurrent with the Forest Europe High-Level Policy Dialogue on 30 August 2022, at which the role of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in supporting forest biodiversity and balancing it with other ecosystem services will be discussed. EUSTAFOR aims to highlight that it is through the practical work of forestry experts that Sustainable Forest Management and multi-functional forestry becomes reality.

The preservation of biodiversity, the supply of renewable raw materials, and creating areas for recreation and well-being, are only a few examples of the roles of European state forest management. Each activity must be given its proper place and time in the forest and highly qualified foresters prepare management plans so that silvicultural measures do not impinge on the multiple purposes for which forests are used.

EUSTAFOR’s 36 members are State Forest Management Organizations whose forest professionals work daily in 51 million hectares of forests and other wooded lands throughout 25 countries across Europe. These skilled and experienced experts ensure public forests are managed responsibly so they will remain resilient and adapted to current and future challenges. Unfortunately, not only are forests facing emerging pressures from climate change but, more and more often, foresters themselves are being physically assaulted while doing their job.

State foresters are the interface between the states and regions who own Europe’s public forests, the citizens who enjoy them, and the forest-based value chain on which the bioeconomy depends.
Through the #ResponsibleForestry campaign, forest experts are working to build public and political awareness about the benefits of forests, while also ensuring a proper understanding of the challenges they are facing and the reasons why different types of silvicultural operations are undertaken on the ground.

It is the work of European state foresters to implement Sustainable Forest Management on a regional, national but also European level. Before EU forest-related policies are decided, therefore, it is first essential to understand what can and cannot be done in practice. This is why forest managers must be included in the discussion and development of EU forest-related policies.

The challenge of prioritizing, balancing and delivering the different needs of the forests of Europe is high. The faster we work together to create a united and sustainable vision, supported not only by policymakers but by the broad public as well, the better the results will be for everyone.

Watch the video here.

Landing page of the campaign: https://eustafor.eu/public-campaigns/

For further information, please contact:
Sophie Hugon – Communications Officer
sophie.hugon(@)eustafor.eu

For more information on our association:
Visit our website at www.eustafor.eu;
Follow @EUSTAFOR on Twitter and European State Forest Association |EUSTAFOR on LinkedIn.

 

[1] Any statement in this document is to be considered as a reflection of the best available professional expertise and does not necessarily reflect the political commitments of individual member organizations.