The Bureau of Nordic Family Forestry (NSF) held its yearly thematic event in Brussels on March 20th, dedicated to voluntary measures for biodiversity promotion in Nordic family forest management. Marko Mäki-Hakola, NSF Chair and MTK Forestry Director welcomed 45 attendees who represented all paths of forest policy: from EU institutions through member state diplomatic corps to farmers’ and foresters’ national organisations.
This thematic event, hosted by the Bureau of Nordic Family Forestry (NSF) in Brussels, gathered forest owners, experts, stakeholders and policy makers. Throughout the event, speakers emphasized the necessity of trust between forest owners and governing bodies as a fundamental element for the success of such initiatives.
Speakers conveyed the unified message to highlight the imperative role of trust towards forest owners as prerequisite for well-functioning voluntary schemes. Among the speakers, this was highlighted by Per Skorge, director of the Norwegian Forest Owners’ Federation. Anders Frandsen, director of the Danish Forest Association provided an overview on Denmark’s ambitious afforestation campaign, with strong involvement of private forest owners. Henrik Andersson, forest owner from South Sweden walked the audience through his family forest and explained different biodiversity measures during his presentation.
Showcasing practical forestry measures from the ground was continued by Sophia Bergkvist, certification manager of the Swedish Association of Forestry Contractors, who explained the role of certified forest contractors in biodiversity promotion in family forests. MEP Elsi Katainen in her supporting video message from the European Parliament, reiterated the importance to incorporate the principle of Sustainable Forest Management in policy making around forestry and bioeconomy. Matti Koivula, research professor at the Natural Resources Institute Finland shed light on ongoing research to support corresponding policy making in the Nordics.
CEPF Secretary General, Fanny-Pomme Langue attended this event which provided a valuable platform for fruitful discussions and insights into promoting Biodiversity in Nordic family forest management and was successfully coordinated by CEPF and NSF Policy Advisor, Dániel Komlós.
