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Issue 3 2019

 


Forest Information Billboard


Issue 3, September 2019

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ANNOUNCEMENT: The theme for the International Day of Forests 2020 will be 
FORESTS AND BIODIVERSITY.

SAVE THE DATE

22 September 2019: New forest landscape restoration initiative in Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia to unlock climate action, New York, USA, https://www.unece.org/index.php?id=52389

31 Oct - 1 November 2019: First informal meeting to discuss the possible negotiation of a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe, Switzerland, Geneva, http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=52060 

4-7 November 2019:  Forêt2019 - Joint Session of the ECE Committee on Forests and and the Forest Industry and the FAO European Forestry Commission, Switzerland, Geneva, http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=51124

23 March 2020: International Day of Forests - Forests and Biodiversity, Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=51931

24 - 25 March 2020: 42nd Session of the Joint ECE/FAO Working Party on Forest Statistics, Economics and Management, Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=51934

For more details about upcoming events, please refer to the meeting website and the "Events" section at the bottom of the Billboard.  All UNECE/FAO meetings are listed here: UNECE/FAO meetings.


 Forest reporting


#EuropeanForestWeek

The 5th European Forest Week will be celebrated from 4 to 8 November 2019 under the theme Forests and the Circular Economy. First celebrated in 2008, the European Forest Week provides a unique opportunity to increase the forest sector's visibility and to influence pan-European and global discussions related to forests. The week is jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In its fifth edition, the European Forest Week is celebrated in conjunction with Forêt2019, the Joint Session of the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry and the FAO European Forestry Commission. It will feature a diverse programme of side events at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, including events on the wood-based textiles value chain, sustainable boreal forest management, and green jobs in a circular economy.

For more information, visit: http://www.unece.org/forests/foret2019 #EuropeanForestWeek


Trees in Cities Challenge

A global campaign launched by UNECE Executive Secretary Olga Algayerova to promote climate action in cities.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that climate change is “the battle of my life”. He is not the only one. Climate change is a battle we are all fighting. More than ever, cities are where the battle takes place. Rising sea levels, extreme temperatures, floods, droughts and storms are threatening the very basis of urban life; ravaging people’s homes, destroying infrastructure and jeopardizing vital access to basic services such as clean water and sewage.

But cities are not just at the receiving end of devastating consequences of climate change; they very much contribute to it. Some estimates suggest that cities are responsible for 75 per cent of global C02 emissions, with transport and buildings counting among the largest contributors.

This is why it is important to localize climate action and ensure that mayors and local authorities are taking adequate measures to tackle its most damning effects – not least because mayors are often best placed to take decisive action with immediate results.

One simple yet powerful way of building more sustainable and resilient cities is planting trees.

[Trees in Cities website] [Join the campaign] [Video] [UNECE at the Climate Action Summit]


Italy: the 1st country to fulfil all criteria of the FSC® ecosystems services certification

In 2018, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) launched the Ecosystem Services Procedure which offers businesses and governments a new tool to demonstrate and communicate the impact they are having on the conservation and restoration of forest ecosystems they work with.

The areas managed by WaldPlus in the Veneto, Lombardia and Trentino-Alto Adige regions are the first forests in the world to have scientifically calculated and verified the benefits their trees provide to humankind, according to the international certification procedures provided by FSC.

In particular, the WaldPlus certification group was the first – in the whole world - to verify the certification procedures for all 5 ecosystem services (biodiversity conservation, improvement of water quality or availability, protection of soil quality and stability, increase in CO2 absorption and enhancement of touristic and recreational services) based on FSC certification criteria for ecosystem services.

This world record is the result of the collaboration between WaldPlus, an Italian company specialized in forest management, and Etifor, responsible for the quantification of the positive impacts of ecosystems on humankind, technically known as ecosystem services.

Find out more on https://www.etifor.com/en/events/forests-impacts-certified/


Iranian Hyrcanian forests, the new member at the UNESCO World Heritage List

Unknown to many people, even to foresters, these valuable forests lie in a narrow strip extending from south of Azerbaijan to about 850 km in the northern margin of Iran southern of the Caspian Sea. While Iran is known for its vast deserts, it also hosts these broad-leaved forests with 25 to 50 million years old. These ancient forests that survived the last ice ages contain a remarkable biodiversity including ​​many mammal species such as Persian leopard, brown bear, lynx as well as migratory birds and above all, a unique flora. The concentration of endemic species in these forests is particularly high due to the exceptional site and habitat conditions, which is why these forests are considered as a biodiversity hotspot.

Through its expertise, the Michael Succow Foundation in Germany has supported the Iranian authorities in developing and nominating the site for many years and 2019 very concretely with the project ‘Supporting the creation of a nomination dossier for Iran’s Hyrcanian forests as World Heritage Site’. During its 43rd session (Baku, 2019) the World Heritage Committee announced the Hyrcanian Forests as being unique worldwide (under criteria ix and x) therefore worth to be included in its list of World Heritage Sites. This opens a new chapter for enhanced conservation of these forests. The project was funded by the ‘German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety’.

Extending the existing site to cover the remaining part in Azerbaijan is also on the agenda and negotiations are underway to start the project.

website: succow-stiftung.de/ newsletter: succow-stiftung.de/newsletter-abo.html twitter: @succow_stiftung


Battery Ventures Acquires Forest2Market and Fisher International

Battery Ventures, a global technology-focused investment firm, announced that it has acquired two companies: Forest2Market, Inc. a firm supplying data, analytics, supply chain expertise and strategic consulting services to the global forest products industry; and Fisher International, Inc. a firm supporting the pulp and paper industry with business intelligence and strategy consulting services.

Forest2Market and Fisher International will continue to operate individually as the transition is planned and implemented.

"We believe both Forest2Market and Fisher International are leaders in their industry, with sophisticated business intelligence platforms that offer data-intense, technology-based solutions for the global forest products industry. Combined, the companies will offer greater insight to customers and provide better customer solutions and service, while setting the stage for dynamic, profitable growth for both companies going forward," said Jordan Welu, principal at Battery Ventures. Welu and Battery’s Dave Tabors will join Peter J. Stewart, founder and CEO of Forest2Market, on the board of directors.

Stewart will also become CEO of the combined organizations. Rod Fisher, the founder and president of Fisher International, will step away from the day-to-day management of the company and serve as a senior advisor to the new CEO and Fisher International customers.

The Forest2Market team and the balance of the Fisher International team will remain in place. "I look forward to working with the Fisher International and Forest2Market teams. We believe this will create powerful new products and services and provide unprecedented global data-driven insight to our customers," said Stewart. https://www.forest2market.com/blog/battery-ventures-acquires-forest2market-and-fisher-international


Biocontrol of chestnut blight in the diseased chestnut forests

Chestnut blight, caused by the ascomycete fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, was unofficially reported for the first time in 1938 in Georgia, and since that time, local C. parasitica strains belong to a genepool not present in Europe, eliminate the native sweet chestnut from its natural distribution range in Caucasus. Georgian subtype CHV-1 provides a valuable candidate for biological control of chestnut blight but its prevalence in local populations is still low. Thank to support of National Forestry Agency, Dr. Iryna Matsiakh (National Forestry University of Ukraine, Lviv), Dr. Merab Machavariani (NFA) and Giorgi Mamadashvili (NFA) are currently involved in a project which aims at promoting biocontrol of chestnut blight in the diseased chestnut forests of the municipality of Zestafoni, in Western Georgia. Selection of appropriate chestnut stands as pilot sites for application of biological control and sampling of bark cankers to determine which C. parasitica strains are present and the prevalence of hypovirulent strains CHV-1, were successfully conducted in spring and summer 2019. Training workshop with field excursion and public discussions regarding sanitary cutting and disease spread was organized in August 2019 involving forestry staff, forestry policy, local communities, NGOs in Zestafoni.

Laboratory work (fungal isolation, vegetative compatibility tests, microsatellite analyses) is still in process but particularly interesting will be to test the possibility of artificial biocontrol of chestnut blight in C. parasitica populations with long term monitoring of treated and untreated cankers to assess the success of biocontrol treatments in Caucasus region.


Forest2Market do Brasil Launches Timber Supply Analysis 360, an Interactive Map-Based Tool That Provides Forest Inventory Data

Forest2Market do Brasil is supporting the forest products industry expansion in Brazil with the launch of Timber Supply Analysis 360, an interactive map-based tool that provides forest inventory data to decision makers in the forest products industry. Timber Supply Analysis 360 provides the industry and its investors with current and accurate forest inventory data, which allows Forest2Market do Brasil to build robust long-term supply forecasts.

Timber Supply Analysis 360 allows users to select custom areas based on the location of a forest, the planned location for a new facility or around an existing facility with expansion plans. Once the location is selected, the tool provides the following data for the selected area:

  • Hectares
  • Species
  • Total volume by species
  • Volume by product
  • Age class distribution

Timber Supply Analysis also provides the base data that Forest2Market do Brasil uses to produce long-term supply, demand and timber price forecasts. "In order to invest in a manufacturing facility or a plantation that could have a lifespan of 20+ years, companies need to look at the projected supply and projected demand and understand the effect that the relationship between these factors will have on future timber prices," says Pete Stewart, Founder, President and CEO of Forest2Market. “And now we can use this data, apply growth and yield models to simulate forest growth and our supply chain expertise to quantify local demand to produce long-term forecasts of forest inventory, supply and demand, and price." To read more about Timber Supply Analysis 360 for Brasil, click here.


FORESTERS 4 FUTURE

Climate change is already noticeable today. We see its effects more clearly in our forests every day. It threatens the existence of forests that are systemically important.We, as foresters and forest owners, are very worried about the forest ecosystem. Now is the time to reflect and act in a brave and committed manner. Sustainability starts with each individual! At the same time, we want to work to ensure that the principle of sustainability enters politics and society as a whole.

We want to support the Fridays for Future movement and have founded the FORESTERS 4 FUTURE. Our declaration can be found here (https://www.foresters4future.com). An initiative thrives when people are involved, so we would be glad if you would support us and be an active participant (https://www.foresters4future.com/en/9-2/#make). We ask that this call be forwarded to all employees / members and invite you to stand up for our cause. On the 20th of September the worldwide climate strike will take place, demonstrations will take place in all major cities. We would appreciate if you could enable your employees to participate in them.


PEFC supports architecture prize rewarding outstanding timber constructions

For the second time, PEFC teamed up with the World Architecture Festival (WAF), supporting the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize. The Prize rewards architects and project teams for their use of certified timber as a main construction material for buildings outstanding in sustainability, innovation or aesthetics.

39 architects entered their projects into the prize. While certified timber is always the main construction material, the entries vary widely in style, purpose and geography. This highlights not only the versatility of timber as a construction material, but also that the enthusiasm for it has spread around the globe.

Projects were entered from 18 countries, from Oceania and Scandinavia, to the Americas, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and China.

The eleven shortlisted buildings display the function, emotion and creativity achievable with wood: from capturing the sunlight in the perfect way, to earthquake resistance and the creation of a warm atmosphere.

On 6 December 2019, the eleven teams will present their projects to a jury at the WAF in Amsterdam. The winner will be presented with the prize the same evening.

[PEFC continues partnership with the World Architecture Festival]
[World Architecture Festival and PEFC present shortlisted construction projects]


Climate change and forest fires in Europe – downward circle must be avoided!

Forest fires are now an EU-wide concern. This year, forest fires are raging across Spain, Greece, Turkey, France and Russia. In the Mediterranean region, fire is becoming deadlier, while in Central and Northern Europe, dry summers have led to large fires in Sweden, Ireland and Latvia, which have historically seen very few.

More intense forest fires represent a serious danger for human beings and rural areas, the environment and biodiversity, but also for the climate change mitigation potential of forests.

CO2 in forests, representing 13% of the net removals of the EU’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon storage in wood products and the substitution of fossil material and energy play a crucial role for climate change mitigation. When forest fires occur, all those benefits are wiped out. It is estimated that forest fires could release twice as much GHG emissions every year as the overall European transport sector, accelerating the climate change process.

In their Joint Statement from March 2019, EUSTAFOR, and its partners from CEPF, Copa & Cogeca and ELO, called for a firm engagement from all relevant policymakers and stakeholders at national and European level to promote sustainable forest management and the multifunctional role of forests.

European forest owners and managers strongly believe that sustainable forest management has an important role to play in fostering the resilience of forests against fires, thereby reducing the risk of the detrimental impact of forest fires on climate change.


European forests under heavy pressure from climate change

European forests suffer heavily at the moment from climate change. Latest reports state that mortality in spruce forests alone amounts to 100 million m3 this year. Furthermore, we face challenges with declining biodiversity and on other hand new demands for the bio-economy.  At the moment there is no information system that keeps track of recent trends at the EU scale, nor is there a European forest policy. Policies at the EU level are fragmented over various issues like wood mobilisation, climate mitigation, bioenergy and conservation. 

A novel European Union forest policy based on the best and most up-to-date information available is urgently needed. Without such change, forests will not provide the resources we need and will suffer heavily under climate change. Forest inventories and many information sources exist in all countries but are not properly used in European Union policymaking. We introduce a next-generation information tool that portrays a synchronized top-down European forest management strategies map, spatially weighing the multi-functionality of European forests.

This is the main message in an article published in Nature Sustainability 11 Sep 2019 by Nabuurs et al.  

Check: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0374-3


PEFC turned 20 – and the celebration has begun!

On 30 June, PEFC celebrated its 20th anniversary. On that day back in 1999, European small- forest owners came together to create an international forest certification system that had their needs at heart.

PEFC’s 20th birthday marked the beginning of a yearlong celebration, in which there is a lot to learn and to discover – and everybody can participate!

From July to June, PEFC will tell its story through a series of chapters, one chapter per month. From the early history and the growth to a global organization, to key mile stones and the evolution of standards and projects. Later chapters will put the spotlight on fashion, food, construction and other sectors, before looking into the future of PEFC and forest certification.

The hashtag #20yearsofcaring provides a collection of activities of PEFC members around the world.

Participation is welcome in the #myPEFCmoment photo contest. Taking part is easy: just take a picture of the PEFC label on a product, share it online with the hashtag #myPEFCmoment and win fantastic prizes!

[PEFC turns 20] [A year of celebrations]


Highlighting the importance of boreal forest management in Russia

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) together with the International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA) was co-hosting the All-Russian Science Conference 'Forest Ecosystems of Boreal Zone: Biodiversity, Bioeconomy, Ecological Risks' with international participation from 26 to 31 August 2019 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. The conference was devoted to the 75-year anniversary of the V.N. Sukachev Institute of Forests, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS). 

The conference covered a broad range of topics such as biodiversity and the biospheric role of forest ecosystems; dynamics and monitoring of forest ecosystems; anthropogenic and natural risks of forest ecosystems vulnerability; tree breeding, genetic and genomic research of boreal forests; biotechnology and value-added processing of forest products and forest resources and forest management.

During the conference, IIASA and IBFRA together with the Institute of Forest of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, hosted a plenary panel: “Transition to Sustainable Forest Management in Northern Eurasia - Challenges and Realities”. Participants mainly discussed afforestation and reforestation potentials in boreal forest after stand replacing disturbances, e.g. forest fires,  as a potential management option to boost negative emissions from forests. The keynote was given by Florian Kraxner, head of IIASA’s Center for Landscape Resilience & Management (CLR) and current president of IBFRA.

At the same occasion, Dr. Kraxner provided the latest status of the IBFRA insight process, a circumboreal research effort on climate impact of boreal forest management.


Opening of a trail for the value of streams in forest landscapes

On the 31th of August, the governor of Halland officially opened a trail along the river Fylleån in southern Sweden. The river Fylleån is a part of the Natura 2000 network. In Fylleån you find a unique stock of salmon (Salmo salar), a rich diversity of benthos, as well as rare plants in the riparian zone.

Signs along the trail contribute to raise awareness about the linkage between forests and streams, and how forest management can contribute to maintain or increase the values in and around the streams. Natura 2000 species and habitat types present in and around Fylleån are described as well as measures for good environmental consideration when managing the surrounding forests. The area will be used as an outdoor classroom. Representatives from the Swedish Forest Agency underline the need for capacity building and are confident that this trail will contribute to improve the protection of stream habitats and their unique flora and fauna.

The Fylleån trail is the first of around 50 trails that will be set up around Sweden within the project GRIP on LIFE IP www.skogsstyrelsen.se/en/about-us/our-task/project/grip-on-life/


EU keeps working on policy to facilitate sustainable investments (taxonomy)

In March 2018, the European Commission published an Action plan for financing sustainable growth. Based on this, a proposed draft regulation was sent to the European Council and the Parliament. A Technical Expert Group (TEG) was founded to assist the development of an EU taxonomy.

In a Joint statement, EUSTAFOR, with other forest sector organizations (CEPF, CEPI, Copa & Cogeca, CEI-Bois, EOS, BIOENERGY EUROPE), welcomed the inclusion of forest management in this proposal. However, the statement pointed out that the TEG’s first set of climate mitigation activities only classifies the existing management as sustainable if it improves carbon sinks, disregarding the holistic concept of sustainable forestry and the related carbon cycle. This approach is creating major problems for the sector.

In March 2019, the European Parliament adopted its Report, that could put additional burdens on agriculture and the forest-based sector.

In their Joint press release, EUSTAFOR, CEPF and Copa & Cogeca advised that, before developing new sustainability criteria or environmental indicators for forests, an assessment of the current legislation was needed. They requested an open debate that reflects the realities of primary producers and existing bio-based value chains that could be hit by the initiative, especially now when investments are crucial for facing challenges such as climate change, employment and growth in the EU.

The TEG published its Technical report, subject to public consultation, in June 2019. Simultaneously, the European Council continues work on the draft Regulation. Further information is available here.


European Parks Academy 2019

Hosted by the ECO Institute for Ecology, the European Parks Academy is a prestigious “summer school” focused on Protected area management, and takes place annually in July, at the Lakeside Campus in Klagenfurt.

A relaxed, intensive opportunity for Protected Area staff to gain new insights ideas and inspiration!

European Parks Academy provides face to face, participatory learning opportunities to professionals worldwide. Three seminars are offered in the 5-day intensive week. This year focused on World Heritage Sites & Sustainable Tourism, Ecological Monitoring & Innovative Technologies and Transboundary Protected Areas.

Stefania Petrosillo and Carol Ritchie from EUROPARC Directorate gave full-day workshops into Transboundary and Sustainable Tourism seminar, complimenting the inputs from Boris Erg from IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and Peter Debrine from UNESCO earlier in the week.

In the Transboundary Workshop Stefania presented the EUROPARC Transboundary Program “Following Natures Design”, effectively supported by Marko Pretner, from the Julian Alps Transboundary Ecoregion (IT/SI) with his direct involvement in cooperation between Prealpi Giulie Nature Park and Triglav National Park. Discussions, working groups and also games, allowed the participants to share their questions and experiences about concrete advantages and challenges on collaboration between parks in neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, next door, Carol, in the sweltering heat of an Austrian summer, discussed the need for sustainable tourism in protected areas and took participants through the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas showcasing the great work done by our parks and partners in EUROPARC Sustainable Destinations across Europe.

In both workshops EUROPARC took the opportunity also to present the Natura 2000 Award as well as highlight the work of CEETO, Sustainable Tourism training for tomorrow and Life e-Natura2000.edu projects.

Participants came from Ukraine, Israel, Germany, Austria and were all working in agencies or Protected Areas. It was a delight to get to know them and the circumstances within which they work.


Call for applications for MCs in Management of Conservation Areas

Academic title: “Master of Science (MSc) – Management of Conservation Areas”; Language: English; ECTS Points: 120; Duration: 4 Semesters + Master Thesis; Tuition fee:  € 12.900,-; Start: February 3rd 2020 (Deadline for application: November 30th 2019); Venue: Carinthia, Austria.

What skills do you need to accomplish complex tasks of nature conservation? Ability to analyse and solve problems? Understand biodiversity conservation……?

Now it is possible to learn and acquire your Master of Science Program without interruption from your current employment. The Carinthian University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with E. C. O. Institute of Ecology offers an International postgraduate Master of Science Program in English.

Whether you are manager who want to enhance skills or employee, student who want to become managers of conservation areas, national parks, biosphere reserves or world heritage sites, this program is specially tailored for you. The program focuses on skills which enable and empower to manage conservation areas effectively, use new ways of communication, deal with stakeholders in a better way.

The duration of the University program is 4 terms (2 years) and 19 courses. All courses requiring your presence are conducted in eight blocks (in total days of presence 64 days). It allows to combine the training without interruption of your employment. Substantial components of the program are provided by e-learning. Courses requiring your presence will be held in different venues: seminar facilities of different parks and conservation areas in central Europe.

Interested to learn more? Please follow the link or contact Program Director, Susanne Glatz at [email protected]

Do not miss the deadline! Submission of application is not later than November 30th, 2019.


9,000 kms across Canada on a wooden bike – all for Green Jobs!

On September 23, Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada)’s Green Jobs Manager, Zac Wagman, crossed the finish line of his epic 9,000 km journey across Canada – just in time for Canada’s National Forest Week. Along the way, Zac stopped in at over 100 communities and met with more than 50 employers and countless Green Jobs youth whose stories were documented and shared across PLT Canada’s social media channels. Zac’s encounters with youth, as well as his other biking adventures – which included grizzly bear sightings and biking through hail – provided daily engaging content in the form of videos, photos and stories that allowed PLT Canada to grow its online audience from less than 1,000 to more than 5,300 followers in just four months. The campaign also reached a national media audience, with the Green Ride being featured over 15 times on national and local T.V. and radio broadcasts, and over 30 times in newspaper articles coast to coast.

PLT Canada is committed to using the outdoors to engage youth in learning about the world around them—in rural, Indigenous and urban communities—and using trees and forests as windows on the world to inspire action and grow the next generation of future forest and conservation leaders. Since 2018, the organization has placed over 2,000 youth in Green Jobs, thanks in large part to the incredible support of partners across both the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Canadian Park Council networks. https://www.mygreenjob.ca/


WAMBAF Tool Box reduces the export of nutrients and methyl mercury to the waters of the Baltic Sea Region

WAMBAF Tool Box deals with challenges connected to forestry operations carried out along streams, as well as the impact of beaver dams. The project implements solutions to reduce the inflow of nutrients and methyl mercury to the regional and coastal waters of the Baltic Sea Region.

The aim of the project is to upscale and adapt tools which were developed in the previous WAMBAF project, and to implement the tools to a wider target group.

The tools include:

  • machine learning wet area maps
  • beaver impact maps at catchment scale
  • blue targeting
  • manual for forest drainage
  • films about forestry operations with good consideration.

If forestry is not performed in the best possible way, nutrients and methyl mercury can be exported from forests to streams, lakes and the Baltic Sea. This can lead to eutrophication, decreased biodiversity and to poisonous levels of mercury in fish.

WAMBAF Tool Box wants to involve and reach forest enterprises, land owners, authorities and hunters. Increased knowledge among these stakeholders about the new tools developed in the project have the potential to improve the water quality in the region.

WAMBAF Tool Box is a joint project between public authorities, forest enterprises, NGO:s and research organizations from Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Poland.

Please visit our website to learn more about WAMBAF Tool Box: https://www.skogsstyrelsen.se/en/wambaf/


Peruvian smallholders became the largest group to obtain an FSC Forest Management Certification in Latin America

104 smallholders of cocoa, coffee and other organic products from the department of San Martín (Peru), recently obtained the Forest Stewardship Council - FSC® Forest Management (FM) certification, becoming the first and largest group of smallholders certificated in Latin America.

The commitment of small producers to forestry development with plantations and agroforestry systems as actions that help to reduce the pressure on forests is a positive example that it is possible to achieve the growth of the agricultural frontier and the provision of sustainable wood despite the present challenges. The certification is for 1,100.79 hectares of forest, of which 187.90 ha are for production (plantations), and 25.15 ha for conservation. The evaluation and certification were to all the small farms of the owners designated for the process.

To take the first step for the certification, the smallholders (members of Acopagro, Fundación Amazonía Viva and Oro Verde organizations), were under the guidance of the social enterprise Amazonía Justa. They developed training courses that included a workshop on Forestry Management for Smallholders in the town of Juanjui, with the participation of Yadid Ordóñez, Policy Manager of FSC Latin America Regional Office and the support of FSC Peru.


2020 World Forest Institute International Fellowship Program – Application deadline October 15, 2019

The award-winning World Forest Institute (WFI) International Fellowship program brings natural resource professionals from around the world to our World Forestry Center headquarters in Portland, Oregon USA. The WFI International Fellowship is a 6-month professional development program designed to help you take your career to the next level. You will join a global cohort of professionals in weekly study tours around the Pacific Northwest learning how natural resources are managed in this part of the world. You will conduct interviews with experts in your field of study and visit people and places that will advance your knowledge and skills. Fellows return home with new ideas and new motivation to create change in their home countries.

We are looking for motivated mid-career professionals with 3- 5 years of relevant work experience, who want to explore, expand their knowledge and networks, and engage with others in forestry/ natural resource management. Fellowships are open to any country, including U.S. citizens. The Fellowship program offers partial scholarships through the Harry A. Merlo Foundation, but applicants must be able to cover at least 50% of the program fee ($5,000). Over two decades, 148 Fellows from 47 countries have participated to date. The Fellowship term is 6-months with a non-negotiable start date of April 6, 2020. Application deadline is Oct 15, 2019. (Promotional Video) Scholarships available based on qualifications and need!!


A supply-demand modeling of the Swiss roundwood market: Actors responsiveness and CO2 implications

Given the importance of wood products in CO2 sequestration, an increase in the use of local wood in construction may help reduce the sector's net emissions. However, given the low prices of wood, the Swiss forest industry is unwilling to produce more, despite the important potential of wood mobilization. Financial incentives may help meet the goals of both environmental and economic sustainability, if actors respond to price changes. To estimate demand and supply price- and cross-elasticities on the market for roundwood in Switzerland, we study a rich yearly time series data set covering the period 1949–2013. We consider both short term and long term relationships, thanks to a lagged adjustment model and correct for the price endogeneity using a supply-demand equations system estimated with the 3 Stage Least Squares approach. We find that the demand for roundwood is elastic in the long and short run, while the supply is not. However, supply still responds positively to a price increase. In this context, a 10% increase in the price paid to suppliers would lead to a 5% increase in Swiss roundwood production and a 10% decrease in price paid by consumers to an 18% increase in roundwood consumption. Such an increase in the use of wood would lead to sequester 1% of Swiss CO2 emissions in wood products each year.

Full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389934118302119


Pleased to meet you, I'm the planted tree

Ibá launches on September 20th a video featuring trees grown for industrial purposes and some of the more than 5,000 uses of its products and by-products, such as packaging and printing and writing paper, baby diaper, make up wipes or candy box made of paper; the soluble cellulose that produces viscose clothes, the wood that produces houses, furniture, floors and even musical instruments.

In this video, the narrator is the cultivated tree itself and it reinforces that the products are naturally sustainable, store carbon, are recyclable, renewable and most are biodegradable.

You can find the video in English on Iba’s YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj4fBRAJKgDVLvNK352SURg


FAOSTAT - forest products statistics 2018 now online

Online forest products statistics data, including 2018 figures updated in August 2019, is available at FAOSTAT at http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/FO.


Forests in Europe are in danger – we offer solutions

Bark beetles and drought are killing thousands of hectares of forests in Czech Republic, Northern Austria, Germany, France, Belgium, etc. Not only Norway spruce is dying, but also Silver fir, Scots pine and European beech, ash and other tree species.

A summary of reports from the member countries of Pro Silva showed that a series of drought years, where the annual precipitation just reaches 50-60% of long-term averages leads to dramatic effects on European forests. Especially in the northern part of central Europe bark beetle infestations in spruce forests have exploded (e.g. Bohemian Moravian highlands, Alsace, Germany), the frequency of forest fires is unprecedented (e.g. pine forests of Brandenburg). Even healthy old growth beech forests in full natural condition are dying, especially on richer, humid soil conditions (e.g. Spessart, Alsace) and also young oak plantations cannot withstand rapid change in environmental conditions. Ash decease almost exterminates another important tree species and windthrow in the southern alps adds another negative momentum.

As a result, the timber market has collapsed, even exports to China cannot make forest enterprises profitable and many small forest owners simply gave up. Read more at: www.prosilva.org


Publications


Wood Energy in the ECE Region - the French and Russian language versions are now available

ECE/TIM/SP/42 Wood Energy in the ECE Region highlights the use of wood for energy and includes the most recent statistics on wood energy markets across the UNECE region. It aims to communicate the relevance of wood energy in the region and help bridge information about the forest and energy sectors. It also intends to offer some of the best-available information on the role that wood energy can play in various sectors to support environmental, energy, and socio-economic strategies toward a greener economy. It focuses on commercial wood energy uses in the UNECE inclusive of energy generated for cooking, heating and electricity generation.

[English version]  [Russian version] [French version] [data] [press release]


Forest Products Annual Market Review 2017-2018 - French and Russian version now available!

The Forest Products Annual Market Review 2017-2018 provides a comprehensive analysis of markets in the UNECE region and reports on the main market influences outside the UNECE region. It covers the range of products from the forest to the end-user: from roundwood and primary processed products to value-added and housing. Statistics-based chapters analyse the markets for wood raw materials, sawn softwood, sawn hardwood, wood-based panels, paper, paperboard and woodpulp.

Other chapters analyse policies and markets for wood energy. Underlying the analysis is a comprehensive collection of data. The Review highlights the role of sustainable forest products in international markets. Policies concerning forests and forest products are discussed, as well as the main drivers and trends. The Review also analyses the effects of the current economic situation on forest products markets.

[Russian version] [French version] [English version]


The Finnish National Forest Strategy 2025

The Finnish National Forest Strategy was updated in spring 2018 at the initiative of the Forest Council. The update was drawn up in broad-based collaboration with stakeholders under the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It was approved by the National Forest Council in December 2018 and the Finnish Government confirmed the updated strategy with a resolution on 21 February 2019.

The National Forest Strategy 2025 defines the main elements of Finnish forest policy. It specifies the main objectives for forest-based business and activities until 2025, and aims to achieve the 2030 Agenda goals related to forests. The strategy describes the priority areas and measures concerning forest sector development that the public sector will focus on as part of joint development work.

Overarching themes of the projects in the strategy include digitalisation and increased communication and interaction. The entirely new projects added to the strategy deal with climate-sustainable forestry, international forest policy, influencing at the EU level and developing products made from wood. In addition to these, more of the projects in the strategy take now into account the diversification of forest management methods and of business and industry, along with safeguarding of biodiversity and protection of water resources. The implementation of various measures compiled into a strategic project portfolio will promote an increase in welfare produced through the forest sector and help to safeguard different aspects of sustainability.

Several ministries will participate in the implementation of the National Forest Strategy. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will coordinate the implementation and monitoring of the strategy.   

For more information on the National Forest Strategy, please see https://www.mmm.fi/nfs.


First National Report on the State of Forests and Forestry in Italy

In March 2019 the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forestry Policies and Tourism (Mipaaft) presented the first National Report on the State of Forests and Forestry in Italy (RaF Italia).

The Report is part of the activities envisaged by the Italian National Rural Network Programme and was carried out with the support of the Research Center on Policies and Bioeconomics of the Council for Agricultural Research and the Analysis of Agricultural and the external partner “Compagnia delle foreste”. The report has involved 214 experts from national and regional Bodies, Institutions, Administrations and Associations, producing 105 news, 8 focus, 109 indicators and 8 best practices. The aim of the RaF Italia is to gather in a single document the knowledge and information concerning the forests and their national supply chains, giving rise to a new updating process for statistical surveys on the subject, with specific attention to European and international information needs. The information has been divided into eight issues (Forest heritage - Management and forests protection – Trees Outside Forests, monumental trees and tree in urban environments - Forest policies - Wood products - Non-wood products of forest – Ecosystem and cultural forest services - Enterprises and forest-based employment. Each thematic area is divided into three sections with its own information objective (News from the forest sector - Focus - Indicators, explained issues and best practices).

To date, in Italy, RaF is the most complete knowledge tool for the sector.

The RaF can be downloaded for free, here:

www.reterurale.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/19231


Green Jobs in the Forest Sector

ECE/TIM/DP/71, the study Green Jobs in the Forest Sector provides an overview of existing Green Forest Jobs and identifies possible areas for future activities and jobs in the forest sector, and may serve as starting point for further analysis and discussion on the future of Green Forest Jobs. It offers a framework for classifying Green Forest Jobs under seven thematic work areas, outlined in the seven main sections of the study, with a particular focus on major trends, needs and challenges as well as opportunities and prospects for the forest sector. The findings suggest that to promote Green Jobs in the forest sector it is key to: (i) look at forest ecosystem services management as the frame for Green Forest Jobs; (ii) recognize the progress made in the development of Green Forest Jobs and to identify avenues for the future; (iii) enhance the public perception of jobs in the forest sector; (iv) revise existing curricula and develop new ones for catering to the needs of the sector to close the skills gaps; and (v) to facilitate an inclusive transition to green economy through training and support.
Read more..


State of Forests of the Caucasus and Central Asia

The study on the state of forests in the Caucasus and Central Asia aims to present the forest resources and the forest sector of the region, including trends in, and pressures on the resource, to describe the policies and institutions for the forest sector in the region and to list the major challenges the sector faces, and the policy responses in place or planned. The study is a cooperative effort by the author, the UNECE/FAO secretariat and national experts, done with the use of the best available data. It attempts to cover all dimensions of sustainable forest management and includes national overviews of all countries of the region. 

[full publication] [press release]


Guidelines for the Development of a Criteria and Indicator Set for Sustainable Forest Management

Criteria and indicators constitute an increasingly common policy tool to implement sustainable forest management (SFM) and to define clear priorities and targets. This should improve monitoring, reporting and assessment of key aspects of SFM performance.
These guidelines provide specific concepts, definitions, tools and reference materials to guide the development process of national criteria and indicator sets for SFM. These guidelines have been developed to support the project “Accountability Systems for Sustainable Forest Management in the Caucasus and Central Asia” which is implemented through the UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section and funded through the UN Development Account. The guidelines and the methods described within are used and applied for the development of national criteria and indicator sets for sustainable forest management in Armenia,
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The guidelines might be also relevant for other countries.

[English version] [Russian version] [press release]


Forest Landscape Restoration in the Caucasus and Central Asia

This study, focusing primarily on the period from the collapse of the Soviet Union until the present day, identifies the key drivers of forest degradation and the potential for forest landscape restoration in the Caucasus and Central Asia. The study was undertaken to support the preparation of restoration pledges in the eight countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia in the run up to the Ministerial Roundtable on Forest Landscape Restoration and the Bonn Challenge in the Caucasus and Central Asia that took place in June 2018 in Astana, Kazakhstan. At this Roundtable Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan committed to restore over 2.5 million ha of forest landscapes by 2030.

[English version] [Russian version]


Forests and men, an absolute urgency

Paper by Dr.  Emmanuel Groutel - NIMEC (UPRES-EA 969) IAE de CAEN

  • While we constantly hear there is only one planet to share
  • While climate change is at the heart of all geopolitical issues
  • While we fear for the loss of biodiversity
  • While migration crisis threatens our democracies
  • While forests everywhere are burning

What is happening in the real world, on the ground?

Not much, very little to say the least. Operational costs consume ideas, resources, and energy. Technostructure crushes and blocks initiative: box ticking replaces goal achieving

But Who should we support? How can we promote concrete solutions at a reasonable cost…. Read the full article here « Forests and men, an absolute urgency » in English

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335444086_Forests_and_men_an_absolute_urgency

« Des forêts et des hommes, en urgence absolue » en Français

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335444342_Des_forets_et_des_hommes_en_urgence_absolue


Préservation de sites archéologieques en forêt

Les forêts abritent un patrimoine culturel – dont des sites archéologiques – le plus souvent méconnu du public sauf des initiés (service des Monuments et Sites, cercle d’histoire local, archéologues…). Ces sites sont, par essence, vulnérables. Ils peuvent être confrontés à des risques de dégradation liés à la végétation, à la faune, à la fréquentation par le public ou à une gestion inappropriée. Ainsi, pour garantir leur préservation dans le long terme une approche forestière spécifique est nécessaire.

La forêt de Soignes abritent deux sites archéologiques de valeur : le site de Deux Tertres (plus connu sous l’appellation ‘site des Tumuli’) et le camp fortifié néolithique de Boitsfort-Etangs (plus connu sous l’appellation ‘site néolithique de Boitsfort’).

Le Gouvernement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale vient d’adopter en sa séance du 6 juin  2019 le nouveau plan de gestion de la forêt de Soignes. Le document comprend le plan de gestion de la partie bruxelloise de la forêt de Soignes ainsi que plusieurs plans de gestion particuliers dont les plans de gestion des réserves archéologiques. Ces derniers détaillent les actes et travaux autorisés afin d’assurer leur préservation des réserves archéologiques pour les générations futures.


Pulp and paper production capacities 2018-2023

The survey presents statistics on pulp and paper capacity and production by country and by grade. The document is based on information submitted by correspondents worldwide, most of them pulp and paper associations or, in their absence, paper companies. Pulp and paper capacities, 2018-2023

Pulp and paper capacity figures for 1968-2023, including 2018 production, are available at http://www.fao.org/forestry/statistics/81757/en/

If you wish to receive a hard copy, please send a request indicating your mailing address to [email protected]


Yearbook of Forest Products (2013-2017)

The FAO publication Yearbook of Forest Products (2013-2017) is available here http://www.fao.org/forestry/statistics/80570/en/. The Yearbook features a new and improved layout in 6 languages and additional series for OSB.

The FAO Yearbook of Forest Products is a compilation of statistical data on basic forest products for all countries and territories of the world. It contains series of annual data on the volume of production and the volume and value of trade in forest products. It includes tables showing direction of trade and average unit values of trade for certain products. Statistical information in the yearbook is based primarily on data provided to the FAO Forestry Department by the countries through questionnaires or official publications. In the absence of official data, FAO makes an estimate based on the best information available.

FAO Yearbook of Forest Products 2017
If you wish to receive a hard copy, please send a request indicating your mailing address to [email protected] 


Below the Canopy: the first-ever global assessment of forest biodiversity, Below the Canopy, shows that monitored forest-dwelling wildlife populations have shrunk on average by more than half (53%) since 1970. The new report by WWF highlights the multitude of threats forest-living species are facing and shows that habitat loss and degradation, primarily caused by human activity, is the cause of 60% of the threats to forests and forest species. Declines were greatest in tropical forests, such as the Amazon rainforest.

The landmark report shows forests, which are home to well over half of the world’s land-based species and one of our most important carbon sinks, are vital to the health of the planet. Forest wildlife, in turn, provides vital functions to keep forests healthy and productive, such as pollinating and dispersing seeds and other crucial roles that affect natural regeneration and carbon storage. If we are to reverse the decline in biodiversity worldwide and avoid climate crisis, we need to safeguard forests and the species that live in them.

Remarkably, we know relatively little about real changes to the species that live in our forests at a global level. The Forest Specialist Index, developed by WWF following the Living Planet Index methodology (used within WWF’s flagship Living Planet Report), focuses on species that depend entirely on forests, which means this indicator provides an accurate representation of forest ecosystem health. UNEP-WCMC co-led the analysis and modelling for this report in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

Full report is available here:  http://wwf.panda.org/?351293  


Unlocking to the forest sector’s potential to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals

The Forest Solutions Group (FSG) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) launched the Forest Sector SDG Roadmap in the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York this summer, to unlock the sector’s unique potential to drive the transition to a low-carbon and circular future rooted in renewable, natural resources.

In this forward-looking document, FSG members and partners have come together to chart a course towards collaboratively maximizing the forest sector’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As emphasized by the Business and Sustainable Development Commission’s landmark Better Business, Better World report, business leadership and innovative sectoral partnerships are key to the achievement of the SDGs and to drive industry transformation.

The Roadmap puts the SDGs into action to identify risks and opportunities along the forest products value chain and provides solution pathways through which the forest sector can minimize its negative impacts and strive to maximize its positive contributions through process, product and partnership innovation. This action plan aims to guide, inform and influence decision-making and actions along the forest products value chain, by outlining tangible actions the sector can take globally and regionally to ensure forests remain healthy and continue to thrive.

Concerted action is indispensable for realizing the ambitions set out within the SDGs. The Roadmap invites business, partners, NGOs, governments as well as customers and consumers of forest products to come together to accelerate SDG action. Explore the Roadmap and its website in more detail to learn more about the concrete business action.
[Full press release] [Roadmap’s website] [Publication]


Rovaniemi Action Plan for the Forest Sector in a Green Economy: Mid-term Review

This publication is a mid-term review of actions that have been implemented and are in line with the Rovaniemi Action Plan (RAP). Stakeholders of the RAP provided input and the Joint Section also reviewed its own activities.

This study also contains a general review of actions reported during 2017 and 2018, as well as information gathered through the previous voluntary updates on the status of the implementation by the member States in 2014 and 2015. Read more...


Events


Climate Action Youth Summit

For the Climate Action Youth Summit on 21 September 2019, the Forests for Fashion Initiative will team up with Olistic the Label and Cittadellarte Fashion B.E.S.T. to showcase innovative and beautiful designs made from certified wood-based textiles and produced in a sustainable and ethical manner.

The Forests for Fashion initiative is run by the UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section in cooperation with the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification and a wide range of designers. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining forests through the creation of sustainable forest value chains, and their important role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Forests for Fashion will also be featured as part of this year’s European Forest Week, which will have a particular focus on Forests and the Circular Economy.

For more information and the programme of side events, click here. #Forestsforfashion

[UNECE at the Climate Action Summit]


ECCA30 - New forest landscape restoration initiative in Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia to unlock climate action

Event time: 22 September 2019, 2:00pm — 3:00pm

Location: Forest Restoration Hub, Convene, 101 Park Avenue, New York, USA

Event organizer: IUCN, with support of UNECE/FAO, UNEP, World Bank, WRI

Forest landscape restoration (FLR) is a Nature-based Solution that delivers mitigation and adaptation outcomes. It is at the crux of global goals such as the Bonn Challenge, SDGs, Paris Agreement, and Land Degradation Neutrality. Multiple efforts are underway to mainstream FLR within land and forest-based targets in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by facilitating action on the ground and raising ambition for the next round of NDC submissions.

The event will feature short TED Flash talks from restoration champions and a moderated exchange with the audience including live polling.

Countries as diverse as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan are rising to the restoration opportunity. Join country champions at the launch of a new regional initiative to bring 30 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes in ECCA into restoration by 2030 , in support of the Bonn Challenge, the New York Declaration on Forests and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

This initiative will generate partnerships and promote knowledge sharing on climate change mitigation and adaptation potential of FLR among governments, private actors, and other stakeholders, to mobilize financial resources and technical support for implementation. For more information and to register for the event, please click.

[Meeting website UNECE] [Meeting website Nature4Climate] [Info about ECCA30] [UNECE at the Climate Action Summit]


Latest in forest science to be showcased in Brazil

From September 29-October 5, Curitiba, Brazil, will be the site of the 25th IUFRO World Congress. These congresses of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations have been held at approximately five-year intervals for the past 127 years.

“A World Congress aims to maximize interdisciplinary interaction and to create opportunities for scientists to interact with others with similar interests beyond their usual network,” said Dr. Jerry Vanclay of Southern Cross University (SCU), Australia, and Chair of the IUFRO 2019 World Congress Scientific Committee (COC).

“At the Congress we expect to see a comprehensive overview of the state of our science in all aspects of forestry. In addition to updates from researchers, we’ll have a series of plenary sessions that will take the form of a dialogue between global science and policy leaders,” he said.

“That’s the whole point of the Congress; to help us all get updated with the latest developments and insights in all aspects of forestry in all the themes and disciplinary divisions,” he explained.

The five Congress themes – Forests for People; Forests and Climate Change; Forests and Forest Products for a Greener Future; Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Biological Invasions; and Forests, Soil and Water Interactions – are IUFRO’s key research themes.

Read this and other Congress Spotlight articles: https://www.iufro.org/media/iufro-spotlights/

Come and join us in Curitiba! Find out about the Congress: http://iufro2019. com/


Save the date: Koli Forum 2019 - Wealth, Health and Wellbeing from Nordic Forests

Time: 9 – 10 October 2019, Venue: Koli National Park, Break Sokos Hotel Koli, Finland

The theme of the Koli Forum 2019 is Wealth, Health and Wellbeing from Nordic Forests reflecting the many versatile dimensions embedded in forestry. The goal of this 10th anniversary Koli Forum event is to view forestry and forest-based bioeconomy from a wider perspective where economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects are considered in a holistic way.

During the past 10 years Koli Forum has established itself as the high level discussion platform for global leaders on sustainable use of natural resources bringing together business leaders, policy makers, academia and civil society. The participants in this event will create a common understanding of the steps needed for the forest-based sector to become a true forerunner in sustainability.

Special focus in this year’s event will be placed on opportunities available through more intense Nordic cooperation, learning about the best practices in handling trade-offs and building new business eco-systems. Other topical issues on the agenda are the EU proposals related to sustainable finance, the latest understanding of the health benefits offered by forests as well as solutions to find a balance between tourism vs. climate and biodiversity impacts.

Koli Forum is known to be an excellent place for networking where the participants and speakers will have ample opportunities to discuss and establish important contacts. The speakers represent a wide range of organisations including e.g. the Nordic ministers of agriculture and forestry as well as the environment, forest industry executives, financial sector executives, university professors and international research organisations. https://koliforum.fi/save-the-date-koli-forum-2019-wealth-health-and-wellbeing-from-nordic-forests/


Resilient landscapes to face catastrophic forest fires: global insights towards a new paradigm

With the increasing threat and occurrence of catastrophic fire events around the globe, the need for new strategies for wildfire prevention and protection is clear. “Resilient landscapes to face catastrophic forest fires:  global insights towards a new paradigm” is a two-day, high-level international conference that will bring together stakeholders and experts to propose holistic approaches for fire resilient landscapes that better integrate socioeconomic aspects of fire prevention.

The conference, to be held on 14-15 October 2019 in Madrid, is coorganised by the European Forest Institute (EFI) and the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), with support from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Association of Forest Engineers.

This conference will analyse experiences and cases from five continents, identifying lessons learned and knowledge gaps, and discussing the way forward. Former Prime Minister of Spain Felipe González and former Prime Minister of Finland Esko Aho will open the event with a dialogue on the role of rural areas and the bioeconomy and what is needed to move towards a resilient and sustainable Europe. Expert keynote speakers include David E. Calkin, from the Rocky Mountain Research Station in the United States, and Peter F. Moore from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, who will provide a global perspective for the growing threat, and urgent need for effective, landscape-level prevention of catastrophic fires.

Presentations, case studies, panel discussion and open debate will explore how leading scientific research on the socioeconomic dimensions of wildfire prevention can be translated into potential actions for a clear path forward to co-construct fire resilient landscapes in the Mediterranean and beyond.

For more information on how to register for the event and download the conference programme, please visit our Medforest website.


62nd SWST - Society of Wood Science & Technology - International Convention

The 62nd SWST International Convention will be held October 20-25, 2019, at Tenaya Lodge, just outside the gate of Yosemite National Park, California, USA. 

The overall theme is “Renewable Materials and the Wood-based BioEconomy “.  Sessions include: Wood Physics and Mechanics; Wood Chemistry; Biodegradation and Preservation; Timber Engineering and Mass Timber; Composites and Adhesives; Business, Marketing and Regulations; International Innovation, Trends and Education in Wood Science; Forest Disturbances, Carbon and the Environment; Early Stage Researcher and a Poster Session.  Registration:  Early Bird – January 29, 2019 until July 15, 2019 – Student $400, Regular $550; July 16-September 15, 2019 – Student $425, Regular $575; Onsite (or after September 15, 2019) – Student $450, Regular $600. 

Regular and Student registrations include the Welcome Reception, Banquet, and 1 year membership in SWST. You can add any accompanying person(s) and their tickets to your registration.  Register at https://swst2019convention.exordo.com/    Full convention information available at https://www.swst.org/wp/meeting/2019-international-convention-yosemite-national-park/


Conference WOOD-SCIENCE-ECONOMY 2019

Conference “Wood – Science – Economy”, 21-22 October 2019, Poznan, Poland, is the third international scientific conference organized by the Wood Technology Institute in cooperation with the State Forests National Forest Holding.
Both in Poland and abroad scientific conferences have so far been organized separately by the scientists in the field of forestry and those in the field of wood industry. However, the issues regarding forestry and wood management are so complex that they require multidisciplinary approach and new, innovative technological and organizational solutions. In the modern world fast exchange of the latest knowledge from the perspective of the entire wood chain is necessary.
The conference goal is to present the latest research findings in wood science, forestry and in the related fields, with particular emphasis placed on research with great implementation potential. The exchange of knowledge and experience in the contemporary challenges of wood-based industries among international specialists is the key to indicate research direction with the greatest potential for implementation and will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the forest-based sector in the international area.
The conference is addressed to the representatives of science and economic practice in the field of forestry, wood industry, and neighbouring fields.  More information: https://www.wood-science-economy.pl/


Forêt2019 - joint Session of the ECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry and the FAO European Forestry Commission

Forêt2019 - the joint 77th session of the ECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry (COFFI) and the 40th session of the FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC) will be held from 4 to 7 November 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. In conjunction with Forêt2019, the 5th European Forest Week will be celebrated throughout Europe under the theme "Forests and the Circular Economy".

[meeting website]


Africa’s social prosperity and landscape’s resilience - New Generation Plantations 2019 Encounter, Maputo, Mozambique, 18|20 November

The New Generation Plantations (NGP) 2019 Meeting and Encounter, taking place in Maputo, Mozambique, from 18 to 20 November, will build on the 2018 Uganda study tour ‘Plantations for Africa’s prosperity’. This year’s Encounter will be dedicated to further understanding how landscapes approaches and communities development can evolve hand-in-hand, using innovative perspectives, collaborative processes and social engagement tools in order to support a better and more sustainable business for everyone involved.

Investing in African greenfield plantation forestry has been described as like “going on a difficult journey without a map”. As NGP highlighted in its Documentary, Africa is already facing a timber deficit, and, as its remaining forests are becoming increasingly degraded, plantations can bring people living in these landscapes the hope for a better future. There are significant challenges to establishing financially and socially viable plantations, at scale, but, encouragingly, a diverse range of people are working to overcome these challenges, such as in the Portucel Moçambique’s project.

African plantation forestry will only be successful if is inclusive, supported and recognized as a shared valued and sustained approach by its wide groups of stakeholders. This Encounter will bring many of them together - join us, and share your knowledge and experience in the movement towards Africa’s social prosperity and landscape’s resilience.


20 November 2019– Conference: exploring pathways to verified sustainable tropical timber

The European timber sector has focused on both ensuring its sources of supply are legal and on growing market share for verified sustainable tropical wood.  The Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition 2019 Conference looks at how these dual efforts can interrelate to increase verified sustainable timber supply and demand and how STTC tools can support the process.

The 2019 European Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC) Conference will therefore be centered around the two themes of tropical timber promotion and how verified sustainable forest management can build on regional and national initiatives, such as the EU FLEGT VPA programme and Verified Sourcing Areas.

Join the conference to learn from the experience of companies, trade federations, NGOs and certification schemes, and share best practices with other delegates.

The STTC conference will be connected to the International Hardwood Conference that takes place on November 21 and 22 at the same venue in Berlin. Both events will also be excellent occasions to network with buyers, suppliers and the wider rainforest commodity sector.

Learn about

  • Why it is important to reverse the declining trend in the use of tropical timber
  • Best practices of the use of promotion and sales tools developed under the umbrella of the STTC;
  • The outcomes of the sustainable tropical timber market share study
  • A stepwise approach towards verified sustainable timber
  • The position of EUTR/FLEGT and certification
  • The impact of certification on landscapes

For more information go to http://www.europeansttc.com/20-november-2019-conference-exploring-pathways-to-verified-sustainable-tropical-timber/#tab-id-1


The Future of Plantation Forests in Europe

What are the benefits and impacts of planted forests?

Can planting trees tackle the climate crisis?

What issues currently face European plantation forests?

These questions will be discussed in the next ThinkForest seminar on 17 December in Brussels. ThinkForest is a high-level science-policy forum which brings together policymakers, the scientific community and stakeholders to build bridges on pan-European forest and bioeconomy issues. The event is chaired by Janez Potočnik, ThinkForest President. Registration to this event will open late October. More information: https://www.efi.int/policysupport/thinkforest/plantation


Forests in Women’s Hands – an International Conference on Women in Forestry

Connecting women in forestry is a central theme at the international conference Forests in Women’s Hands that will take place from 25-27 May 2020 in Traunkirchen, Austria.

The event is generously supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism. It is coordinated by the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW) and organizing partners include Forstfrauen (the Austrian Women in Forestry Association), the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA).

Representatives of government, research, education and forest owners will speak at the conference and discuss questions such as “Why and for whom is gender equality important? What enables or prevents gender equality from being achieved in society and organisations? What determines if interventions contribute to achieving goals? Why do some selected measures fail to meet objectives? What are the roles of institutional structures, educational systems and traditions?”

Networks are a strong tool to change the concept of gender in a certain context and, therefore, to promote gender equality in forestry. Participants of the conference will meet members of existing women’s networks and have the opportunity to exchange best practice examples and discuss relevant activities and initiatives. Additionally, the conference will increase the visibility of women and their achievements in the forest sector. http://www.forstfrauen.at/index.php/en/conference-2020


How to contribute? Deadline to provide contributions to the next issue is 15 December 2019. Please note that the content of the billboard does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations. Contributions are published as received and editing is the responsibility of the contributor. More information and the previous issues are available here.

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