Utilizing the potential in private forestry in nature protection

1. Utilizing the potential in private forestry in nature protection International NATURA 2000 conference “Restoring Ecosystem, Benefits and Value” 21 October, Tallinn, Estonia Morten Thorøe Secretary General

2. CEPF – in 23 countries France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Latvia Lithuania Luxemburg

3. Over 60% of forests owned by families • generation bridging management and experience • 16 million family forest owners • Small scale forest holdings (cooperation) • average size 2-50 ha • Sustainable forest management • Balancing economic, social and ecological requirements • Respecting the diversity across Europe • The forest owners are the managers on site! • “Managing for the future” is not new to foresters and forest owners Forests and forest owners

4. NATURA 2000 in forests 15-20% of EU forest area is covered by NATURA 2000 sites Over half of all proposed sites for the NATURA2000 include forest areas 36 % of bird species listed in the Birds Directive are forest-related 30 % of the habitat types of the Habitat Directive are forests – types 61 % of mammal species

5. EU 2010 Biodiversity BaselineHabitat types/species Forests have a greater share of habitats in favourable condition

6. Forest owners are organized • a variety of forms of political and economic cooperation among forest owners • strong roots in historical and cultural background • social networks and stronger relations between forest owners • strong commitment towards Sustainable Forest Management • cost effective management Forest owners have the knowledge and long-term experiences on their ground. They are the best partners in implementing the EU regulations in the forest

7. Forests are important in NATURA 2000 • Slovenia: • 71 % of NATURA 2000 sites is located in forests • over 42 % of Slovenian forest is in NATURA 2000 • 71 % of forests is privately owned • Estonia: • Forests cover 51 % of land • NATURA 2000 sites cover 18% of Estonia, out of 27% private land and 73% state land • Lithuania: • Forests cover 32% of land • 23% of forest land is also included in NATURA 2000 network • Latvia: • Forests cover 45% of land • In 2006 13% of the total forest area was NATURA sites – more than 50% of all NATURA sites in the country

8. Forest owners are motivated • Their activity spans over generations • They have experience, knowledge and interest in forestry that focuses on diversified utilisation and consideration of the environment • They invest in the conservation of biodiversity to ensure the ecological balance in their forests • They treat forests with respect, as an integral part of their livelihood Forest owners are self-committed to carry out their responsibility, thus motivated to invest in biodiversity conservation

9. National procedures and organizing schemes for the NATURA 2000 NATURA site and forest owner Forest owner INPUT Management plan Forest owner NATURA site

10. CEPF contribution • European level • Increasing the visibility of the role of forest ownersin the management of the sites • National level • Reality check on forest owners involvement, problem identification and conflict solving strategies for: • a better recognition of the on the ground situation • collecting feedback from forest owners • reviewing positive and negative examples and lessons learned

11. . Different national approaches to organization of the Natura 2000 site management • what could be the role of forest owners in the national scheme for management of the Natura 2000 sites? • how to use their knowledge, expertise and experience in developing and implementing management plans? • how to clarify the procedures for directing funds to the forest owners for management activities? • how to promote private forest owner associations as professionalsite managing organizations?

12. Thank you for your attention! www.cepf-eu.org