Report on Study Visits: 4 – 6 June (France)

A three-day study visit for the FOREST4EU Horizon project took place from June 4-6, 2025, organized by CNPF. Thirty-four participants from eight countries attended. Benjamin Chapelet and Bilal Snoussi (CNPF-IDF) opened the event with an overview of the project.

Figure 1 : The first day started with an ice breaker where people place themselves along a North-South / East-West gradient of the European Union and present themselves. Crédits : © CNPF.

Key Themes and Discussions

The visit focused on three main themes crucial for forest adaptation to climate change:

Figure 2 : The 34 participants attended the plenary sessions presenting the differents OGs. Crédits : © CNPF.
  • Adaptative Silvicultures, Experimentation, Mitigation, and Carbon (Session A): Moderated by Erwin Ulrich (ONF), this session included a presentation on FuturForest, an OG (Operational Group) that tested ten new tree species across 75 plots to understand their adaptability. Eleonora Mariano (PEFC Italia) showcased the CO2 S.For.Marche OG, which developed a group model certification for sustainable forest management using carbon Life Cycle Assessment. David Pozzi (AgroDendroStudio) presented the Do.Na.To project, focusing on promoting Douglas-Fir natural regeneration in Tuscany.
  • New Technologies and Decision Support Tools (Climatic, Sanitary, Biodiversity) (Session B): This session, animated by Christophe Orazio (IEFC), featured Carlo Urbinati (UNIVPM) discussing the BIOSEIFORTE OG, which developed the SlideforMAP model for hydrological risk assessment and a Marteloscope digital replica. Soraya Bennard (CNPF) presented the Douglas OG, highlighting its work on Douglas-fir test plots and risk analysis for stands. Irene Fattoretto and Niccolo Fani (UNIFI) introduced remote sensing tools from the GO-SURF project, using drones for identifying stressed areas and resilient plants.
  • Transfer, Awareness, and Communication (Session C): Moderated by Lionel Viard (APCA), this session emphasized coordinated action and transparency in forest management. Eric Hincelin (CNPF) discussed the EUROFORNORM OG’s development of educational tools like FosterForest and “Forester’s, it’s your turn to play” to raise public awareness.
Figure 3 : Workshops for dissemination, extension and communication provides valuable insights for OG coordinator to push further their innovations and enhance collaboration among stakeholders. Crédits : © CNPF.

Field Visit and Tools Showcase

The second day included a field visit to Maltot, where participants explored:

  • Session A in the field: Eric Hincelin (CNPF) presented the RAISON OG, which focuses on understanding “atypical” species behavior in Normandy through experimental plots. Roland Feidt also highlighted the BeeForest OG’s work on improving pollinator habitats.
  • Decision support tools (Session B in the field): Romain Mani (CNPF) showcased tools used by the SPNA OG, including:
    • BioClimSol: A tool for assessing climate change risks to stands and identifying suitable afforestation solutions.
    • ARCHI: A visual diagnostic tool for tree decline and resilience based on aerial architecture.
    • IBP (Indice de Biodiversité Potentielle): An easy-to-use indicator for integrating biodiversity into forest management.
  • Educational initiatives (Session C in the field): Florence Allaer (PNR Seine Normandie) presented the EUROFORNORM OG’s educational board game, “Foresters, it’s your turn to play,” designed for primary school students to learn about forest management and climate change adaptation.
Figure 4 : Participants gathered for the field visit at Maltot in a private forest (Bourmont Institute). Crédits : © CNPF.

Outcomes and Future Collaborations

The study visit ended up on the morning of the 06th June by the third session on transfer, awareness and communication, moderated by Lionel Viard from the Permanent Assembly of Chambers of Agriculture (APCA) which was also the moderator of each workshop (Session A, B & C) for dissemination, extension and communication.

The first presentation was made by Eric Hincelin (CNPF), regarding the OG EUROFORNORM which was coordinated by the Normandy Regional Union of Forest Communities (URCOFOR). A focus was made on the necessity for coordinated action and transparency in forest management among stakeholder’s, but also to improve the communication and better explain the actions made in the forests to raise awareness among a wider audience. In this purpose, educational and participative tools such as FosterForest or « Forester’s it’s your turn to play » were developped and/or used. Theatrical forest excursions also appeared as a great opportunity for them to give informations and to debate on important topics with all the stakeholders.

Each session concluded with a round table and workshop, fostering dissemination and communication. Experts from the AFORCE network facilitated these discussions, enhancing the transferability of innovations. Cécile Nivet (AFORCE) presented the network’s key actions in knowledge transfer and awareness-raising.

Figure 5 : Presentation of the experimental plot of the OG Raison by E. Hincelin. Crédits : © CNPF.
Figure 6 : Presentation of the decision support tools ARCHI, BioClimSol and IBP used in the OG SPNA, by R. Mani. Crédits : © CNPF.
Figure 7 : Demonstration of the educational game « Foresters, it’s your turn to play » from the OG EUROFORNORM by F. Allaer. Crédits : © CNPF.

Figure 8 : Presentation of the AFORCE network by C. Nivet. Crédits : © CNPF.
Figure 9 : Reporting from the moderators about all the round table sessions and final conclusions.
Figure 10 : « Good bye » picture with all the participants.

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