Certification of sustainable forest management

and PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes), for sustainable and responsible forest management of municipal forest properties. In addition to the certification of GFS/FM, certification was also added for Ecosystem Services provided by the forests themselves: biodiversity protection, water cycle regulation, soil protection, tourism-recreational services, and forest carbon.

The municipal property is part of the Certification Group called “Sustainable and Responsible Management for the Forests of the Future of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines,” formed in 2022 and coordinated by the National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. The Group currently consists of 30 forest managers and/or owners for a total of 37 Management Units falling within the territory of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Appennino Tosco Emiliano.” By joining the Certification Group, the municipality has shared the Group’s Forest Policy Document, orienting forest management toward models based on internationally recognized principles and implementing management interventions aimed at combating climate change and reducing its negative effects (document available at www.parcoappennino.it/pagina.php?id=596).

All members of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano Group share that GFS/FM certification offers numerous benefits and opportunities for the communities of people living in the municipality’s territory. Climate resilient and resilient forests are a strategic element in helping to create more resilient and resilient communities of people.

In addition, certification is also an opportunity for the surrounding area as it allows it to communicate and be known, exerting an attractive power towards users sensitive to environmental issues, and appreciating the presence of entities and facilities that are committed to and create culture in this regard. The FSC and PEFC forest certification systems, which are known, publicized and supported around the world, allow the certified area to enter a worldwide network, which, similar to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, can help give visibility and promote neighboring territories as well.

In the certification process, the Group ensures the involvement of all stakeholders who in different capacities show interest in the management of the Biosphere Reserve’s forests. In this way, local communities have the opportunity to be active participants in the management of their territory and thus to collaborate in its improvement.

To this end, the Group has equipped itself with a public consultation system within which any stakeholder (individual, association or economic entity) who “has interests related to forest management” with regard to the certified area can submit a petition using the form that can be downloaded at the link: www.parcoappennino.it/pagina.php?id=596 Any complaint will be acknowledged by the National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines (coordinating member of the group) and, in close collaboration with the municipality, a resolution of the dispute will be worked out.

Useful links:

Forest certification news

https://www.parcoappennino.it/newsdettaglio.php?id=77307

Sustainability Credits platform page

https://creditisostenibilita.it/