Brussels, 12 October 2020 - "Listen to EU forest stewards, understand their actions on the ground, learn from their experience, and go beyond the clichés!”

In a few words, this is the message of the new awareness campaign#ForestBiodiversitylaunched today in Brussels by 6 associations representing theEuropeanForest-based Sector.As the debate around the biodiversity and forest strategies hasnever been so high on the agenda, this joint initiativegivesthe floor to European forest owners and managers through a series of videos availableon the dedicated platformforestbiodiversity.eu.The interviews concretely show that behind the concept of sustainable forest management, special attention is given to biodiversity preservation and climate adaptation-two essential objectivesfor the forest owners and managers when managing forests.Sustainable Forest Management provides abalancebetween biodiversity preservation, climate protection and socio-economic viability that local players, forest owners and managers,ensureon a daily basis.This multidimensionalityin forest managementissometimes misunderstood.Well managed forests havethe capacity to remain a home for biodiversity in times of natural disturbances and changing climate. Well managed forests have the capacity to foster a greater amount of CO2and increase carbon storage in forests and wood products as well as substitutingfor fossil-based materials and energy. Well managed forests have the capacity to be the first link in a value chain that provides nearly 4 million green European jobs while also offeringpreserved spaces for all. Only resilient and healthy forests can continue to deliver multiple ecosystem services, including biodiversity preservation.Conservation and enhancement of biodiversity are at the heart of Sustainable Forest Management.