– With the LIFE Climate Forest project, Staatsbosbeheer and the Bosgroepen are focusing on climate-smart forest management – with an eye to the future. The provinces of Noord-Brabant, Limburg, Overijssel, Gelderland and Drenthe are contributing to this, and a spin-off is underway in Utrecht. After 5 years, we are able to share valuable practical experience and look further towards the future… and that is what we did on Thursday 3 September in Voorst (Gelderland).

How do we ensure vital forests in the provinces in the longer term too? Which (new) tree species will be growing in those forests then, and what key role do water and soil play in this? And how can policy best direct this? Experts from the Bosgroepen and Staatsbosbeheer delved deeper into this together with stakeholders from the various provinces. Participants could count on presentations of the latest experiences and insights, and they also engaged in discussions themselves.

The three presentations can be downloaded via the following links:

• LIFE lessons and new tree species – Etienne Thomassen (Bosgroepen)

• Soil and water as the key to a vital forest – Loes Kampherbeek (Bosgroepen)

• The forest of the future – Martijn Boosten (Staatsbosbeheer)

Implications for policy – The panel discussion (led by Gijs Kuneman, right) with provinces and the Ministry of LVVN.

Beekzicht Estate Excursion – led by Peter Stouten and Loes Kampherbeek.