FOREST EUROPE Newsletter 2-2023

Successful Expert Level Meeting in Dresden

From 21-22 June 2023, the Expert Level Meeting (ELM) met for the first time physically under the German chair in Dresden, Germany. Nearly 60 participants enjoyed the historic town of Dresden, the conference, and the excursion to one of the oldest forest faculties in the world, Tharandt.?

Learn more about the decisions made at the ELM that set the course for FOREST EUROPE's future efforts.

FOREST EUROPE’s Think Tank on the future of SFM

On 21st April, the third meeting of the Think Tank convened to discuss how to keep SFM fit for the future as a leading paradigm for forest management in Europe. Mr. Kit Prins, former Chief of UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section, presented a background paper that critically touched upon the key points of SFM. While the principles of SFM are generally valid, also in the international context, the focus will be on the further development of indicators and monitoring. It will be important to find new narratives on forest management that go beyond sectoral boundaries. The Think Tank will have a main advisory role for inputs to the 9th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference in Bonn, 2024. For more information, visit our website!

Pan-European workshop on “Managing Biotic Threats in Forests – Lessons Learned from Bark Beetle Calamities”

Experts from 16 countries gathered for three days to exchange experiences on bark beetle management in Europe, aiming to prevent future outbreaks of bark beetles and other biotic threats. Spruce bark beetles have caused extensive damage due to warmer and drier summers, expanding their reach also to yet unaffected northern and mountainous areas. Fostering international cooperation and knowledge sharing is part of FoRISK’s strategy toward a pan-European forest risk facility. The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Forest Management Institute of the Czech Republic, and FOREST EUROPE. Stay tuned for more workshop outcomes and a policy brief on our website.

Survey on novel Green Forest Jobs: Shape the Future of the Forest Sector

FOREST EUROPE’s workstream on Green Jobs and Forest Education is conducting research to identify novel Green Forest Jobs in different countries of the pan-European region. The aim of the survey is to collect information on the forest sector’s potential to provide good and innovative employment opportunities aligned with socio-economic benefits. Your participation is vital in making our research a success. We kindly request your insights on novel Green Forest Jobs in your country or region. With just 30 minutes of your time, you can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the forest sector. Join us by participating in our online questionnaire and be a catalyst for change. The survey will be open until September 2, 2023 (Responses will be anonymous and will be treated with confidentiality). Feel free to extend the invitation to other relevant stakeholders in your country. This information will feed into the Ministerial Documents for the upcoming 9th Ministerial Conference in 2024. Find out more about Green Forest Jobs.

FOREST EUROPE's experience with wildfires at the 8th International Wildland Fire Conference

FOREST EUROPE proudly participated in the 8th International Wildland Fire Conference in Porto from 16-19 May, where the Landscape Fire Governance Framework was successfully disseminated. This framework provides guiding principles and translates science and practice into policy to address the increasing severity and impacts of landscape fires. The framework emphasizes the importance of integrated fire management, stakeholder engagement, and international collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals and reduce losses from wildfires. The event was a perfect opportunity to present our work at FOREST EUROPE, where we will continue to work on wildfire prevention as part of the Pan-European Forest Risk Facility (FoRISK).

FOREST EUROPE Ukraine initiative: Final Ukraine experts’ workshop and report

The FOREST EUROPE Ukraine initiative, launched in August 2022 through the implementation of the Ministerial Decision (more info here), concluded its final experts’ workshop in early June and fostered successful multi-stakeholder debates and interactions. Participants agreed on the structure of the final Ukraine report and policy recommendations and discussed recent developments by other partners to engage in supporting the recovery of Ukraine’s forests and its forest sector.

Ukraine’s initiative final report, “Supporting the recovery and sustainable management of Ukrainian forests and its Ukraine’s forest sector”, elaborated by LUBo received full endorsement from the ELM and will be published in English and Ukraine language over the summer. Stay tuned for its release!

SAVE THE DATE for these upcoming events

Next FoRISK workshop (26 - 28 September 2023)

Mark your calendars and spread the word for the upcoming workshop "Living with storms: towards resilience and adaptation to forest disturbances" from 26-28 September in Freiburg, Germany. As part of FOREST EUROPE’s work toward the implementation of a pan-European Forest Risk Facility (FoRISK), this workshop focuses on exchanging experiences, consequences, and management strategies related to windstorm damages in Europe’s forests. Join us to establish partnerships across pan-Europe to prevent and better control storm disturbances. The event is jointly organized by the Forest Research Institute Baden-Württemberg FVA, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research WSL, and FOREST EUROPE. You are warmly welcome to apply for participation.

High-Level Policy Dialogue 2023 on November 9th in Berlin

Be part of our 2nd HLPD 2023 centered around the theme of "Growing healthier forests: How can Sustainable Forest Management enhance resilience?" The event will take place from 2:00- 6:30 pm CET at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Berlin, offering both in-person attendances (limited capacity) and live-streaming for remote participation.

FOREST EUROPE signatories, observers, panelists, and stakeholders are invited to explore how Sustainable Forest Management can strengthen resilience through cross-border and cross-sectoral collaboration. Hosted by the German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Cem ?zdemir, the dialogue will bring together FOREST EUROPE director generals, as well as high-level environmental representatives, practitioners, researchers, and youth.

Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to an open and informal knowledge exchange, fostering common understanding and synergies across the pan-European region and beyond. Stay tuned to our HLPD website to get the latest news about the agenda and speakers soon.

17th European Forest Pedagogics Congress 2023

Join us at the annual European Forest Pedagogics Congress, organized jointly by FOREST EUROPE and its observer organization Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald (the German Association for the Protection of the Forest). The congress will take place from 20-22 September 2023, in K?nigswinter, near Bonn, Germany. In collaboration with the Forest Pedagogy Subgroup of the Forest Communicators Network (FCN), this event focuses on the theme “Learning to create together ? How can forest-related ESD build partnerships and empower people?”. The program includes scientific lectures, discussion panels, participatory workspaces, and ample time to explore the forest while exchanging ideas and experiences.

We highly appreciate your country’s participation and encourage you to register before the deadline on 21 July 2023. Early registration is recommended as spots are limited. Further information and the link to the registration form.