Forest management

What is forest management planning?

Forest management planning (FMP) is a tool for implementing sustainable, multi-objective and close-to-nature forest management, which has been practiced in Slovenia for decades. Forest management planning also represents the process of collecting, processing and storing forest data, setting management objectives, guidelines and measures, and monitoring management effectiveness.

In the process of forest management planning, forest management plans are made. Forest management plans are plans for directing the development of forests at different spatial levels - regional, landscape and operational. The elaboration of forest management plans is defined by the Forest Act, and the procedures for the elaboration and adoption of forest management plans are defined in more detail in the Regulations on forest management and wildlife management plans.

In what way is Slovenian forest management planning specific?

• Plans are a mandatory basis for the management of all forests;
• We make plans for all forests regardless of ownership;
• The forest planning framework comprises three levels: regional forest management plan, forest management unit plan and forest silviculture plan;
• Regional plans deal with the forest ecosystem in a holistic way, with simultaneous consideration of forest management content and wildlife management content;
• Plans are an important tool for ensuring the objectives of nature protection and maintaining the favourable condition of qualifying habitat types and qualifying species in Natura 2000 areas.

Public participation in forest management planning

The participation of the interested public and forest owners is required by Forest Act; before the start of the elaboration of the plan, public and forest owners can propose initiatives for the plan, and they can comment the draft of the plan at public disclosures and public hearing.

In the process of elaborating the plans, the Slovenia Forest Service also cooperates with organizations responsible for nature protection, cultural heritage protection and water management.