The conference “Collaboration - key to forest disturbance management in a new decade” took place as a webinar on 26 and 27 August, organized both as a final conference of the SURE project as well as an open discourse on the future of the European Forest Risk Facility.
A Policy Brief was distributed beforehand, to provide a synthesis on natural disturbance risk management based on science, practice and policy perspectives. After presenting the activities and research done during three years of SURE, an interactive session with policy perspectives on risk management paradigms gathered views from Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, Austria, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic.
During the first day, more than 70 participants joined the conference, from 25 different countries, representing science, practice and policy. Seven presenters from the European Forest Risk Facility network reflected upon the significance of collaboration highlighting the importance of immediate response, exchange of experts, prevention, networking, and media interaction to raise public awareness. The whole conference was supported by the graphic reporting of Alex Giurca who combined the skills of a note taker and artist to provide a visual and captivating representation of the conference. As background to the webinar, SURE documented in two presentations the activities and research done during the project, including the Tool Compendium and Map of forest disturbance actors, which are both available on EFI’s YouTube channel.
More than 40 policy makers and some practitioners from 17 countries discussed on the second day of the virtual conference the following questions: Where are shortcomings in effective disturbance risk management in different European Countries? How can we move from often short-term decisions to long-term oriented disturbance mitigation and resource use in policymaking and practice to create a more resilient forest sector? How can the various actors involved in implementing measures for prevention and preparedness be better supported in view of future disturbance events? How do both policy makers and practitioners assess the importance of cross-sectoral and cross-country knowledge exchange and learning? In the second session of the day, panelists from ministries, state agencies and European and international organization continued the discussion. Their presentations aimed at identifying shortcomings in forest disturbance management, measures for prevention and preparedness, and long-term solutions that create a more resilient forest sector in different regions and institutional settings.
As a visual summary of the conference, SURE Communications produced a short video available on YouTube. Blogposts can be found on the resilience blog for day 1 and day 2.
More information about the conference and its programme you can find in the booklet.
AGENDA and PRESENTATIONS
26 August (Day 1)
Welcome and intro to the European Forest Risk Facility, presentation by Marcus Lindner (EFI, Germany and Projectleader of SURE)
Examples from the network: Immediate response to disturbances
Facing the Ice storm of the century, presentation by Damjan Oražem (Slovenian Forest Service), followed by a discussion on different responses
Examples from the network: Learning from one another – exchange of experts/focus on prevention
Process maps for a wider perspective beyond emergence response – examples from the KonnektiW network, presentation by Christoph Hartebrodt (FVA, Germany)
Fire prevention workshop in Mafra – a European-wide exchange on fire prevention, presentation by Alexander Held (EFI, Germany), Q&A with Carlos Trindade (Civil Protection Service Mafra, Portugal)
Examples from the network: Creating active networking for us and our partners
How to build a successful international network on wildfire risk management: the work of Pau Costa Foundation, presentation by Nuria Prat (PCF, Spain)
The CMINE network – challenges and opportunities of voluntary network activities, presentation by Nina Dobrinkova (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria)
Examples from the network: When disturbances hit the media interest – how can we make media work more sustainable?
How to prepare for press briefings using the networks’ knowledge, presentation by Cathelijne Stoof (Wageningen University, Netherlands)
An Arte Documentary as a joint European Forest Risk Facility effort, presentation by Pavel Bednar (Pro Silva Bohemica, Czech Republic)