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Linking sustainable practices throughout Europe

Report on 2nd Workshop on Sustainable Forest Management 2016, Tara National Park, (SRB)

organised by Forum Synergies in cooperation with the Ibar Development Association.

Rural topic(s): Sustainable forestry

Type: report/synthesis

Date of publication: November 13, 2016

Author(s) of the document: Gwil Wren

Organization(s): EuCAN (European Conservation Action Network), Forum Synergies

Abstract:

Around 30 participants from 10 different, mainly Western Balkan countries exchanged about elements of sustainable forest management and drivers of unsustainable management during this 2nd Forestry Workshop, held on 10 - 13 November 2016 in Tara National Park, Serbia, in cooperation with the Ibar Development Association.

We build upon the main findings of the 1st workshop, 17-20 March 2016, Milverton, Somerset, South-West of England, UK, namely the 4 principles of Sustainable Forest Management in order to reflect and develop further:

  • 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.

In our fieldtrips we experienced topics related to:

  • forest management in the National Parc including the handling of pest diseases (bark beetle) and fire hazards.

  • economic activities related to forestry

We discussed:

  • the condition of forests in the Balkan region and the policies and actions needed to achieve sustainable forest management in that region

  • the development of small forests managed by private owners (with special attention on existed experience in ex-Yugoslavia, ex-socialist countries from East and Central Europe and EU countries),

  • sustainable forest management in protected areas and

  • sustainable development of mountain communities based on forestry and activities linked to forests.

  • to produce a report on the workshop proceedings, in a form which builds upon and complements the report on the first workshop, with recommendations for policy and action.

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Informations:

Scale of intervention : Local, Regional, National, European

Keywords: woodland management, forest ownership, woodland products, protected area, rural policy, Forum Synergies

Places: Serbia, Balkans, Europe

Actors: forest owner, association, animation and rural development organisation, NGO, public administration

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