Forest Life - Building cooperation, developing skills and sharing knowledge for Natura 2000 forests in Greece

4th Newsletter, February 2017

Editorial

The fourth issue of our newsletter coincides with the completion of the needs assessment of the Greek Forest Community regarding the management of forests within the Natura 2000 network. Also, the evaluation of the Nature Directives as fit for purpose by the European Commission can contribute to the planning of ForestLife ‘s actions. This fit for purpose assessment clears the way for further integration of nature conservation into forest management and offers opportunities for the implementation of new approaches such as the use of agroforestry systems in forest management.

In this issue, a new tool for conservation, the European Red List of Habitats, is also presented, along with initiatives regarding the education in the forestry sector.

ForestLife project News

Needs assessment of the Greek Forest Community: results and next steps

In January 2017, the needs assessment of the stakeholders engaged with the protection and management of forests in Natura 2000 areas was delivered. This assessment targeted the employees of the Greek Forest Service and other competent authorities and municipalities, the personnel of Management Bodies of Protected Areas, researchers and academics, staff from non-governmental organisations and cooperatives, representatives of professional associations, private forest owners, forest visitors etc.

Agroforestry systems: allies in forest and nature conservation

Agroforestry systems are among the older land use systems in the Mediterranean. The steep relief and the lack of available space in the Mediterranean landscape called for simultaneous production of timber or other forest products along with agricultural use or livestock raising. A plethora of evidence shows that many of the contemporary forests in Greek mountains are growing in the place of former silvopastoral systems.

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International Day of Forests 2017: forests and energy

In 1971, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) proclaimed the 21st of March as World Forestry Day. In 2012, the World Forestry Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Forests (IDF). The Day celebrates and raises awareness on the importance of forests and trees.

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European Red List of Habitats

Aiming at evaluating the progress and the fulfillment of the goals of the European Strategy on Biodiversity, the European Commission proceeded to publish the first European Red List of Habitats.

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Fitness check of the Nature Directives

The European Commission completed the fitness check of the Birds and Habitat Directives, reaching the conclusion that the two Directives remain fit for purpose in the context of the wider EU policy on biodiversity.

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Online database of forest educational programs

A collaboration initiative of international organizations working in forest education and communication (GFIS.net, IUFRO-IFSA Task Force) led to the launch of a worldwide database of educational programs in the scientific fields of forestry and wood technology.

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