In the selected demonstration forests, managers, owners, policymakers and other stakeholders can see in practice the potential of climate-smart forest management.
Reference forests & demo forests
The reference forests have long been managed according to principles that we will also apply and develop in LIFE Climate Forest. As a result, they already show the development of the forest and the initial results of the management efforts. These valuable examples thus provide insight into what is possible and what this requires in management and policy.
In the demo forests, we will work specifically within LIFE Climate Forest on climate-smart forest management. Here too, visitors can experience for themselves exactly what this type of management entails and what opportunities there are if you manage a stand on a small scale and in a tree-oriented way.
The reference forests and demo forests together form the sample forests for this LIFE project.
Demo forests
The demonstration forests are located in the provinces of Brabant, Overijssel, Drenthe, Gelderland and Limburg and play an important role in the training courses and field excursions we organise in LIFE Climate Forest. In these forests, the project team will also work on further developing and refining the management method. Among other things by testing and then monitoring over the years.
- Beegder and Hornerheide.
- Liesselse bossen (Deurne).
- Landgoed De Utrecht.
- Volksabdij O.L.V. ter Duinen.
- Groote Heide.
- 't Zand.
- Municipal forests Hilvarenbeek.
- Trent woods (Maashorst).
- Landgoed Beekzicht.
- Landgoed Boschoord.
- Gieten-Borger.
- Emmerdennen.
- Rozendaal forest.
- Leenderbos.
- Kempen.
- Boswachterij Dorst.
- Alphense bergen / Chaam.
- Tree Park Heesch.
- Boswachterij Hardenberg.
Implementation has not yet been completed in all these forests. The project will continue until August 2027.
Arboretum demo tour
Already from the early 20th century, drought-tolerant species have been planted in Arboretum Oostereng and arrived via natural rejuvenation. In addition, the arboretum contains six Abies species with 23 provenances that are tested for growth and drought resistance. Arboretum Oostereng is therefore in a unique position to serve as an inspiration arboretum for LIFE Climate Forest. A demo tour of 26 climate-smart species has been set out in the arboretum. Here, visitors can see for themselves how these species are doing in the Netherlands. The different species are indicated and described in the following publication: