What Is Sustainable Forest Management?

Sustainable forest management is a technique used to maintain the health of our natural forests through research-led practices and interactions. It is a key tool in the fight against climate change and as forests around the world remain under threat, it’s vital that companies switch to a sustainable model of forest management. Successful sustainable forest management is about carefully maintaining forests while conserving biodiversity, benefitting the local community and sourcing high-quality traceable timber for clients around the world.

Key elements of forest management

Sustainable forest management is a key focus for Woodbois and we utilise a range of innovative, research-based techniques to enhance the resilience and capacity of forests, whilst ensuring a quality product that has been responsibly sourced. Some of the key elements of forest management include… – reducing forest degradation – selective harvesting practices – improving efficiency – involving local communities – increasing biodiversity – improving soil health – replanting – sustainable development and taking a holistic and science-led approach to logging. Transparency is also key to sustainable forestry, with stump to customer traceability reducing the demand for and viability of illegally sourced timber.

History of Forest Management

Humans have been felling trees since the time of hand axes and these precious resources have continued to provide, fuel, heat, building materials and more throughout history. As demand for timber rose during the 19th and 20th centuries, huge logging operations decimated forests across the world, leaving lasting damage on the landscape. The history of forest management also shows just how much of an impact unsustainable and illegal logging can have on the planet, with forests around the world suffering. However, as early as the 1860s, botanists and scientists have been calling for more sustainable forest management, with teak plantations in India set up to address deforestation.

The Future Of Forest Management

As the continuing impact of deforestation is coming to light, countries around the world have shifted to a more sustainable forest management strategy, working with industry experts and scientists to create better solutions. Forests are essential to human welfare, air quality, reducing global warming, ensuring water supply and more, so proper management by forest experts is crucial. A sustainable approach is key to our operations at Woodbois and we have developed a range of unique forestry management solutions across our forest concessions to ensure long-term health and sustainability for generations to come. More and more consumers are demanding sustainable, ethically sourced materials, so the future of forest management looks much brighter.

Sustainable Forest Management In Africa

The impact of Sustainable Forest Management In Africa cannot be underestimated, with the continent losing millions of hectares of forests over the last decades and the impact of climate change affecting the most vulnerable communities. According to the UN, Africa has lost 3.2 million hectares of natural forest and replanting these areas is also key. At Woodbois we pride ourselves on our innovative and forward-thinking forest management techniques in Africa, working with local communities to provide jobs, forest education and a progressive switch to sustainable logging.