Forests - an important resource
Forests make up one of the most important natural and indigenous resources in Lithuania. The general overview of forest statistics shows, that forest conditions in Lithuania are improving, forest area and timber resources are increasing. Resources accumulated in Lithuanian forests allow to further enhance sustainable forest development and fulfil social, environmental and economical functions of Lithuanian forests.
The on-going restitution and land reform is close to its end and created a large number of private forest owners. At the end of this process approximately 45% of the forest land or over 900 000 hectares are envisaged to be in private hands. On 1 January 2000 there were 150.8 thousand forest owners and 373.9 thousands of hectares of private woodlots registered in the State Land Cadastre. The average size of forestland holding in Lithuania is 3.4 ha.
Forest area:
2.2 million hectares = 35%
Forest and Land Owners' Association of Lithuania
In April 1993 the Forest and Land Owners' Association of Lithuania (FOAL) was founded for the first time in the history of the country with the initiative to represent the interest of forest owners and to develop the institutional framework for the family forestry and subsequently became registered as a public organisation (on 8 June, 1993).
The FOAL is the national interest organisation for the forest owners in Lithuania and has the status of an independent public NGO. FOAL is recognised national organisation in Lithuania and internationally. FOAL consists of: Member of Chamber of Agriculture of Lithuania; Member of Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF); Member of European Landowners' Organisation (ELO); Member of International Forestry Alliance (IFFA); Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes Council, (PEFCC) [trough FOAL founded non-profit organisation ''PEFC Lietuva'']. FOAL is taking steps to enhance the education and extension services for private forest owners in Lithuania. It is the founder of public institution ''Private Forest Extension Centre'', which is organising courses for forest owners throughout the country since 2000.
Head of the Board: Algis Gaizutis
Web site: www.forest.lt
Mail contact: algis@forest.lt info@forest.lt
Address:
Forest and Land Owners' Association of Lithuania
Juozapavičiaus g. 9-303,
09311 Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel /fax number: +370 52 767 590