Master's program for sustainable forests: Europe networks the future!

Master's program for sustainable forests: Europe networks the future!

The “Master of Science in European Forestry” receives renewed funding and thus offers the opportunity to provide students with comprehensive training in the field of sustainable forest management. This long-running Erasmus Mundus program aims to promote international networking among students and teachers and to give them a European perspective on the complex challenges in the forestry sector. The four key issues addressed by the program include climate change, the lack of biomass for the bioeconomy, the decline in biodiversity and the increasing societal demand for forest-related ecosystem services. This is reported by the University of Freiburg.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Seifert emphasizes that the program significantly advances the internationalization of forestry sciences. In addition, seven well-known universities in Europe, including the University of Freiburg and Wageningen University in the Netherlands, are cooperating from 2026. Students benefit from common course modules and receive either a joint or double degree in the second year. This leads to a high level of recognition for graduates in international institutions. The application period for the master's degree program runs from December 15, 2025 to January 21, 2026, with studies starting in August 2026.

European strategies for biodiversity and climate change

In the context of forest management, the EU plays a crucial role in halting biodiversity loss and combating climate change. The adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992 and the Paris Agreement in 2015 highlight the importance of protecting biodiversity and the need to ensure the integrity of all ecosystems. As part of the European Green Deal, the new biodiversity and forest strategies for 2030 aim to promote biodiversity in Europe and establish deforestation-free value chains, says the European Parliament.

The EU takes a multi-faceted approach to protecting forests and biodiversity, which includes various directives and regulations. For example, almost 30% of the Natura 2000 network, which covers over 850,000 km², is covered by forest areas. The Timber Ordinance also aims to combat the trade in illegal timber. Given the urgency of the need for action, there are initiatives such as REDD+ that are dedicated to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The European Green Deal has set the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Adaptation strategies for forests in climate change

Current extreme weather events illustrate the challenges facing forests in Germany. Visible impacts on forests in the last two years require adjustment of forest management with a greater focus on promoting diversity and heterogeneity. This diversity includes both ecological and action-oriented aspects. The aim is to preserve and promote the basic functions of forest ecosystems in order to increase the ability to adapt and self-regulate.

The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation emphasizes that the implementation of these measures is crucial in order to do justice to the diverse ecological services that forests should provide both now and in the future. The challenges of climate change and the associated trends in the ecosystem require innovative solutions and approaches.