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March 21, has been established by the UN General Assembly as the World Day of Forests to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of forests, with the celebration for this year 2021 being dedicated to forest restoration as a pathway to recovery and social well-being.
On the occasion of the celebration of the World Day of Forests, the Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design of the University of Thessaly, the General Directorate of Forests and Forest Environment of the Ministry of Environment, the Institute of Mediterranean and Forest Ecosystems of ELGO/DIMITRA and the Decentralized Administration of Thessaly - Central Greece, organized an online event on Friday 19.3.2021, entitled "The Forest in a Changing World", to raise awareness and inform about the importance, importance and protection of forests in a changing world.
At the event, the Rector of the University of Thessaly, Professor Zisis Mamouris, addressed the event, who spoke about the establishment of World Forest Day, the important role of forests in society and humanity, and at the end praised the role of Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences & Design at the new University of Thessaly. Afterwards, Mr. Evangelos Goudoufas, Head of the General Directorate of Forests and Forest Environment of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, announced the projects and objectives of their Service, specifically mentioning: a) the completion of the posting of forest maps, b) the inclusion of €80,000,000 projects for the prevention of natural disasters and the restoration of the environment after natural disasters, c) the national plan for reforestation and the creation of nurseries, d) the drawing up of fire prevention plans, e) the certification of sustainable forest management . etc. Finally, Professor Ioannis Papadopoulos, President of the Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design (FWSD) of the University of Thessaly, pointed out at greeting of the importance of forests in protecting the environment and focused his greeting on the role of the FWSD Department and its achievements and actions to date.
This was followed by five (5) very interesting presentations by distinguished invited speakers, which kept the interest of more than 200 people, university students, researchers, Forestry Service executives, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and ordinary citizens, who attended the event. online.
Mr. Marios Trigkas, Assistant Professor of the Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design, University of Thessaly, was the first speaker on the topic: "The Forest in a Changing World ”, and referred to the global challenges facing the world today at the environmental, economic, social, health, technological and political levels and the multifunctional role of forests in addressing these challenges. Through a documented presentation with detailed data, proposals were made to strengthen the role of forests and forest ecosystems in matters of economic development, dealing with climate change, production of forest value chain products with high added value, strengthening and implementation of the circular bioeconomy of forests, valuation of the ecosystem services of forests and forest ecosystems, policies for the development and financing of forestry and the natural environment as well as the improvement of living standards and social well-being.
Ms. Revekka Batmanoglou, Head of the Directorate of Planning and Forestry Policy of the Ministry of Agriculture, developed her proposal "European Forestry Strategy " and gave a targeted analysis of the main aspects of the new European Forestry Strategy, which is currently in public consultation and the framework for its formation, based on global and European initiatives, strategies and policies for the environment and forests. Ms. Batmanoglou also referred to actions and initiatives of the Ministry of Energy & Environment to strengthen cooperation with the University of Thessaly and the Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design, in particular.
Then Dr. Konstantina Tsagari, Director of the Institute of Mediterranean and Forest Ecosystems of ELGO/DIMITRA, presented the "Modern innovative research projects of the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems", and the remarkable high-level research carried out by the Institute on topics exploitation of the forest and natural capital, and the collaborations and synergies it develops, at national and international level.
Ms. Zoi Ftika, Deputy General Director of Forestry & Agricultural Affairs of the Decentralized Administration of Thessaly - Central Greece, developed the topic "The Forest is a source of life, a factor of development and ecological balance" and referred to the multifunctional role of forests and the important work of the Forestry Service of the country to date as well as in the area of Decentralized Administration of Thessaly - Central Greece which has under its supervision 23 Forestry Directorates and 10 Forest Directorates, in matters of sustainable management of forest ecosystems and the protection of the forest wealth of these areas. He also highlighted the challenges that the Forestry Service is facing today and the actions to strengthen it that should be done, for its more efficient operation and its adaptation to modern international developments.
The last presentation of the conference was made by Mr. Ioannis Kazoglou, Associate Professor of the Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design of the University of Thessaly on the topic "Special studies on protected area management and sustainable development". In his very interesting presentation, Mr. Kazoglou referred to the Special Environmental Studies (ESP) in the protected areas and the Grazing Management Plans (MSPs) that will be implemented throughout the country, giving their development dimension in the context of sustainability and sustainability. Formulate documented proposals for substantial participatory consultation on the above issues, in order to achieve in the most effective, efficient and scientifically correct way the goals of the EPM and the DSB, as tools for environmental protection, the development of the rural economy and social welfare.
A very constructive and meaningful dialogue followed with the participation of representatives of institutions, positions, questions and comments as well as an exchange of views for undertaking cooperation initiatives at individual levels, among all those who attended the event, which closed in the best possible way and with the exhortation to continue and others, but also to take initiatives for further cooperation of all stakeholders in issues related to the forest value chain.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we thank you and wish you a Happy New Year, with vision, optimism, work and positive thoughts for the World Day of Forests and the protection of Forests and Nature!
THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
PROFESSOR IOANNIS PAPADOPOULOS
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