The biggest challenge facing European forest-policy making is to recognise all the potential forest have. We have to see forests as a potential for health. We have to see forests as a potential for new jobs and economic growth. The biggest challenge in my eyes is proper forest management.

I come from Slovenia, which is the third most forested country in Europe. I am living with forest. In my eyes forests are crucial for health and a healthy population. Forests can be perfect surroundings for clinics for respiratory diseases. Forest can serve as perfect places for recreation. The forest is also a place for jogging paths, backcountry skiing, Nordic walking, and working out.

These activities are contributing to public health, helping developing tourism and creating new job opportunities. On the other hand forests are maintaining biodiversity and offering so much more what we can imagine. Most of the berries, which are rich with antioxidants and excellent for health, are growing in the woods. Animals and plants crucial for the ecosystem can be found in the woods. Countries rich with forests have the potential to develop wood industry and to produce products which are healthy and sustainable. Healthy and sustainable, such as smart baby’s toys. Healthy and sustainable such as wooden houses.

Next challenge in my eyes is the use of waste collected from the forest floor. Natural waste and wood can be used for heating as alternative source of energy.

In Slovenia, forests are full of quality wood. Today they are losing their quality since logging of forests is not sufficient.  We need to provide sufficient forests’ care, which also includes the felling of trees. It is clear that in certain countries felling of forests needs to be increased and not reduced. European forest-policy making should consider this approach as well.

In Slovenia forests are expanding on a yearly basis on the one hand, but on the other hand we are losing the areas which should be used for agriculture. We should all be aware that after the financial crisis a food crisis can appear. The security of our food supply is important today and it can be an enormous problem in the future. Therefore, European forest-policy making should combine measures on agriculture side with measures on forestry side.

European forest governance is becoming a complex issue. We have to start living with woods. We have to improve forest management where possible. We have to recognize advantages forests can offer. We have to see forests as a potential for new job creation, economic growth and health.

At the end of the day it is all about finding the right balance. Finding a balance, in forested countries, such as Slovenia to also preserve fields for agriculture and not only areas overgrown with forests. Otherwise I fear my country will become one huge forest very soon.

– Zofija Mazej Kukovič