ProSilva Europe

PROSILVA is a Latin phrase which means 'for the forests...'

PROSILVA is a European federation of professional foresters across 24 European countries (and more recently in New England, USA) who advocate and promote ProSilva Close to Nature Forest Management Principles as an alternative to clear felling, short-term tree plantations.

News - August 2012: Three new ProSilva Europe positions papers on managing forests in regards to energy, climate change and Mediterranean forests are now available under the ProSilva Forestry Principles 2012 heading above left.

Note: ProSilva Europe now has an online network site for its members. Members please feel welcome to join and share your knowledge at http://prosilvaeurope.ning.com

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PROSILVA was founded in Slovenia in 1989 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in Slovenia in 2009.

ProSilva recognises and values the unique history of forestry and its past, current and potential contribution at local, regional and national levels.

Members are convinced of the need for a greater range of management skills amongst foresters and forest owners. ProSilva membership is made up of forest owners, foresters, forestry students and others who wish to practice and learn more about ProSilva forestry practice.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

ProSilva promotes forest management strategies which optimise the maintenance, conservation and utilisation of forest ecosystems in such a way that the ecological and socio-economic functions are sustainable and profitable.

The general approach to management which is advocated by ProSilva, includes market and non-market objectives, and takes the whole forest ecosystem into consideration.

With reference to sustainability in its broadest sense ProSilva members believe that forests provide four categories of benefit to society.

These are:

1. production of timber and other products

2. protection of soil and climate

3. maintenance of ecosystems

4. recreation, amenity, and cultural aspects