OUR FORESTS SERVE KEY PURPOSES
A third of all land in Germany is covered by forest. Even in this densely populated country, forests play a hugely important role for both people and nature. In the majority of places, trees are the natural form of vegetation and provide a habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna. They regulate the water balance, safeguard our drinking water supplies and prevent erosion, rockfall and avalanches. As well as being good for our air and the climate, they also improve the wellbeing of those seeking rest and recuperation. Forests provide a renewable supply of CO2-neutral timber and secure employment, even in areas with poor infrastructure.
Yet our forests are often far from natural. Many places are now dominated by non-native coniferous forests rather than native hardwood forests. The high demand for raw materials in the ultra-mechanised timber industry is prioritised over forest stability, quality, aesthetics and conservation. Naturland’s aim is to counteract this trend and foster greater accountability for people and nature in forest management.
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The “Naturland standards on organic forest use” regulate all aspects of sustainable, environmentally safe forest management. They were first developed in 1995 in conjunction with the environmental associations BUND, Greenpeace and Robin Wood with the aim of guaranteeing a credible organic certification scheme for the forestry industry.
Regular comprehensive inspections at least once every five years, spot-check assessments and annual farm report sheets ensure that our forestry businesses are rigorously controlled.
There are currently 19 municipal and private forestry businesses across Germany managing over 53,000 ha of forest in line with Naturland standards.
Our standards on organic forest use stipulate, for example, that:
- Natural forests must be regenerated and/or maintained, for example though natural forest rejuvenation, targeted planting of native tree species tailored to the local environment where possible, and by banning the planting of genetically engineered plants
- The quality of the ecosystem must be maintained by refraining from clear cutting and using pesticides or fertilisers
- The forest floor must be protected by refraining from land drainage, tillage or extensive traffic
- Careful forest development and timber harvesting techniques must be used, and game levels kept to a sustainable level
- The natural species diversity and forest dynamic must be maintained, special habitats protected and dead wood habitats (naturally ageing and dead trees) enriched
- Unmanaged reference areas must be designated in publicly-owned forests in order to obtain localised information about the natural development of the forest
Documentation on forest management and commodity flows must be clear and comprehensive
A certification based on recognised sustainability criteria is a sought-after attribute for many forestry businesses worldwide. In Germany, Naturland set the standard for all subsequent certification systems to follow.
In order to gain a certification in line with Naturland standards, a producer (forestry business) must first become a member of and sign a producer contract with Naturland e.V. The producer contract regulates compliance with the Naturland standards and establishes the scope of inspections and data sharing.
Forestry businesses interested in gaining a Naturland forestry certification can request some preliminary information on the guideline requirements, costs, member organisation and so on from Naturland e.V. in Gräfelfing, Germany. As a next step, details of their specific circumstances are recorded and discussed as part of a no-obligation initial consultation with an adviser from Naturland's specialist forestry and timber department on implementation.
INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION
The certification itself is then carried out by Naturland's independent certification committee. Certification is based on an inspection for compliance with the ‘Naturland standards for organic forest use’ by an independent inspection body. The inspection consists of various individual measures:
- Regular inspections of the forestry business by an independent inspection body approximately every four years
- An annual business report
- Additional spot checks and special inspections by Naturland's specialist forest and timber department
After inspection, Naturland forestry businesses receive a Naturland farm certificate and a certification decision – sometimes with appendices – from Naturland's certification committee each year.
Global issues such as the disappearance of semi-natural habitats and the degradation and even destruction of forest ecosystems call for global alliances. Consequently, as an international certification organisation and as the pioneer of organic forest use in Germany, Naturland is committed to using its expertise within the German branch of the FSC, the ‘Verein für verantwortungsvolle Waldwirtschaft e.V.’.
The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation that advocates for organic and socially responsible forest use around the world, for which it develops national and international and standards. As part of Naturland's FSC group certification coordinated by its specialist forest and timber department, participating Naturland forestry businesses commit to complying with FSC standards.
Compliance with FSC standards is verified during internal audits by Naturland's specialist forest and timber department, as well as third-party audits by the FSC's accredited certification body. For group certification participants, this means that they can market their timber with the FSC's international seal of quality in addition to the Naturland seal.
