• The objective of this event was to bring together various stakeholders in the forestry sector to reflect on innovative solutions for improving forest management from an environmental, economic, and technological perspective.
• During the meeting, nine innovative projects were presented, focusing on forestry activities such as resin extraction, timber extraction, and mushroom harvesting.

The exchange highlighted the innovation sector as key to forestry management, representing an opportunity to improve profitability and the efficiency of forestry operations , as well as their adaptation to new trends related to the environment and climate change.

The challenges that mark the sector, and which require innovative solutions, are:

• Forest abandonment
• New methods to combat forest pests and diseases
• Pasture management and extensive livestock farming that preserves the landscape and prevents forest fires
• Creation of a value chain for forestry and the forest industry
• Consolidation of mechanisms and tools to promote collaboration among sector stakeholders.

Thematic work rooms

The knowledge exchange at this meeting took place in three virtual work rooms, where nine Operational Groups and Innovative Projects from the regional, national, and European levels were presented.

Participants shared initiatives, results, progress and experiences in implementing improvements in forest management based on new technologies applied to forest management, improving quality and sustainability in the forestry sector and improving silvicultural planning.

Room 1: New technologies applied to forest management

Participants: FORESTMAP , EUCALIPTUS and RESDRON

Papers and conclusions : Participants in this room were:

• The European H2020 FORESTMAP project, a web platform for creating forest inventories and maps using satellite or aerial data (e.g., LIDAR data)
• The EUCALIPTUS project, for the improvement of eucalyptus forest productivity in Asturias, thanks to the use of sensors for greater efficiency in the control and monitoring of eucalyptus production.
• the RESDRON project: dedicated to new technologies applied to forest management for resin extraction using a microresination selection and application technique in the interior of Galicia.

All three projects have demonstrated the potential of using advanced technologies , such as drones, satellite sensors, and IoT sensors. In Spain, we are in aprivileged position thanks to the vast amount of open data mapping and viewers available. Therefore, the challenge is to use this information for farm management and add value to the available data .

Room 2: Improving quality and sustainability in the forestry sector

Participants: SUMFOREST , TIMBERTRACK and CAPV

Projects and conclusions : The following projects were presented at this panel:

• SUMFOREST , a research network of 23 partners from 17 European countries, dedicated to improving sustainable forest management and multifunctional forestry.
• TIMBERTRACK : an innovative labeling system for tracking wood from the forest to the industry.
• Sustainability Assessment Program for the Forestry Sector of the Basque Country ( ACV ).

In this room, the debate focused on the concept of sustainability and its certification and labeling methods , seeking greater coordination and definition of sustainability criteria. Regarding research, emphasis was placed on the importance of involving both public administrations and businesses to reflect the interests and visions of each sector and ensure responsible investments that lead to a sustainable sector.

Room 3: Improving Forestry Planning

Participants: MIKOGEST , Association of Forest Owners of Montnegre i del Corredor and RESINEX

Works and conclusions :

• MIKOGEST , innovative dynamic management of mycological resources.
• Association of Forest Owners of Catalonia : for the restructuring of the exploitation of quality timber and its classification process to diversify its production and improve its implementation in local markets.
• RESINEX : professionalization, knowledge transfer, and innovation in the resin sector in Extremadura.
• The conclusions in this room have highlighted the need for greater recognition, regulation, and professionalization of the forestry sector, and in particular of the three subsectors presented.

To address these challenges, the use of technologies for data collection, monitoring, and control of natural resources has been presented as a key starting point for improved planning. Associations and citizen participation have been cited as means of transferring knowledge and good practices. Finally, emphasis has been placed on greater outreach and communication strategies to showcase the diversity of the forestry sector.

What is innovation?

The National Rural Network maintains that development in rural areas must be accompanied by sustainable practices, supported by research, development, and innovation. Therefore, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development ( EAFRD ) works with various rural stakeholders, organized around the framework of Operational Groups and Innovation Projects .

Operational Groups (OG) are groups of organizations, professionals, and experts who work together on a problem to be solved or an opportunity to be exploited through an innovation perspective, designing and/or implementing projects to implement the solutions obtained. Their work is subsidized by the EAFRD through Measure 16 of the Rural Development Programs (RDP). The calls for proposals and public spending allocated to these grants, which promote innovation , are part of the 2014-2020 rural development policy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA).

At the same time, other policies are being developed in the European context, with which synergies emerge in the commitment to innovation in rural areas. The Horizon 2020 research framework program covers topics related to the agri-food and forestry sectors . Thematic networks and research projects are included under this umbrella.

This meeting on improvements in farm management is part of a series of meetings on Operational Groups and Innovative Projects , which the National Rural Network is promoting to disseminate and share the results of R&D&I carried out in rural areas. All information can be found on the website and on the National Rural Network's social media channels: Twitter , Facebook , and YouTube , where you can enjoy this meeting openly.