Good Practice - Project
Networking small forest owners in Belgium’s Waasland
Network of small forest plot owners strengthens their climate resilience through collective action.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6B: Local development
RDP Measure
- M16: Cooperation
Beneficiary type
- Non-governmental organisation
Summary
Belgium’s Flanders region includes a patchwork of fragmented small forest plots owned by private individuals. A local forest group’s project here covering around 2 500 woodland owners used CAP funds to help plan and implement area-based approaches for collectively optimising the multi-functional capacity of small forest plots. CAP support catalysed new interest and action to better use existing small forestry plots and protect their future capacity to provide ecosystem services. Project actions provided forest management advice and carried out forest improvements.
Cooperation among owners of small forest plots, as in this project, can help pool resources and knowledge for more effective management practices. Landowners can share best practices, such as pest management strategies, species selection and soil enhancement techniques to reinforce resilience against climate change.
Logistical coordination of management action across multiple fragmented small plots of forest land can be a challenge, but opportunities for economies of scale exist in projects like this, because affordable rates for forestry work on small plots become possible when actions across several plots are bundled into attractive commercial packages for contractors.
Results
- 133 field visits took place, providing a new overview of forest stocks in small plots and their dedicated needs.
- 64.3 ha of forest were improved to be more resilient against climate and pests.
- 30 130 new trees were planted, including 277 clusters of saplings.
- 2 870 m of forest borders were improved.
- General and technical awareness was raised through public events such as forest cleanups and nature explorations.
Promoter
Bosgroep Oost-Vlaanderen Noord vzw
Funding
Total budget 308 544 (EUR)
EAFRD: 97 440 (EUR)
National/Regional: 97 440 (EUR)
Private/own: 113 664 (EUR)
Context
Opportunities exist to develop climate-robust, multifunctional forests by networking owners of small forest plots. One benefit of collaboration among these owners is the pooling of resources and knowledge, which can lead to more effective management practices. Landowners can share best practices related to e.g. pest management strategies, species selection and soil enhancement techniques for reinforcing resilience against climate change.
Collective action can also facilitate access to new funding opportunities from public or other organisations promoting sustainable forestry practices. Economies of scale options exist, allowing affordable rates for forestry work on small plots when tasks are bundled into batches to make the work commercially attractive to contractors.
Progress in collective management can be hindered by the variability of individual landowner objectives. Some forest plot owners might prioritise economic gain through timber production, while others may focus on biodiversity conservation or recreational uses. This divergence can complicate consensus-building and hinder cooperation initiatives.
Logistical issues in coordinating activities across multiple small plots of land pose additional hurdles. Fragmentation of ownership may also limit economies of scale, making it difficult to implement comprehensive management plans for enhancing ecological integrity and resilience.
Belgium’s Flanders region includes a patchwork of fragmented small forest plots owned by private individuals. A forest group project covering approximately 2 500 woodland owners from the Waasland area became interested in developing area-based approaches for collectively optimising the multi-functional capacity of small forest plots.
Objectives
The project used CAP funds to stimulate new interest and action to better use existing small forestry plots, as well as to protect their future capacity to provide ecosystem services. Specific aims sought to:
- Target 50 ha of forest during two and a half years for improved management and strengthened resilience against climate and pest-related threats.
- Raise awareness among owners of small forest plots about management options, support possibilities and advantages of cooperation.
- Facilitate affordable forestry work by bundling different actions more efficiently.
Activities
- Project costs helped provide expert advice for coordinating forest owners in addition to tailored management advice for individual plots and owners.
- A series of strategic information sessions was complemented by field visits to analyse each situation.
- Typically, experts examined the situation on site and prepared plans to remove dead trees and/or plant new trees to diversify away from pest-threatened species.
- The forest group then arranged for tree felling, site preparation for planting, and ongoing networking among the group's forest owners. Assistance was also provided to owners needing funding applications for forest work.
Main results
- 133 field visits took place to provide an updated, accurate overview of forest stocks in small plots and their dedicated needs.
- 64.3 ha of forest were improved (exceeding the target of 50) to be more climate- and pest-resistant.
- 30 130 new trees were planted, including 277 clusters of saplings.
- 2 870 m of forest borders were improved.
- General and technical awareness was raised through public events such as forest cleanups and nature explorations. These promoted transformative forest conservation among event participants, including plot owners, students, school pupils and the public.
- These results provided evidence that helped secure new LEADER funding to build on the existing forest group actions. This continuation of the cooperation project will operate across seven municipalities and the main regional Province.
Key lessons
- A mix of deciduous and coniferous tree species aids in resistance to climate change.
- The Forest Group benefited from a previous project phase, providing a firm foundation for them to focus on even more during this project to increase biodiversity and improve forest soil, thereby achieving a healthy, resilient forest ecosystem.
- New techniques will be used for a follow-on project (from LEADER), such as adding rock flour during the planting of tree saplings in poor sandy soil.
Green, healthy forests are not only more pleasant and safer to walk and cycle through, but they also provide a greater diversity of plant and animal species. We need our forests because they capture CO2 and provide cooling. Healthy forest soils also retain more moisture. We are happy to help forest owners get started with a guide full of tips and tricks to stimulate the diversity and resilience of their forest.
Contacts
Jurre Baguet