ForestMoocForChange: the first free online course on Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF)!

ForestMoocForChange: the first free online course on Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF)!

The need to embark on a transition in forestry practices is now obvious to most of us. However, it is not always easy to know how to move towards alternatives that combine the profitable production of quality wood with the enhancement of biodiversity and the protection of ecosystem services.

Co-financed by the European Union, ForestMoocForChange is a collaborative project between: Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Naturgemäße Waldwirtschaft (ANW) in Germany, Pro Silva France, Teagasc in Ireland and Forêt.Nature in Belgium as lead partner. The aim of the project is to help overcome initial challenges and provide new tools to enable Europe’s forests transformation, with a view to improving the level of information, knowledge and skills required for management adapted to the challenges of climate change.

ForestMoocForChange is an online course providing an introduction to CCF, covering the various aspects of this innovative forestry approach over an 8-week period. The course includes numerous videos produced in the field by experts, managers and owners. Each week, a live meeting will be organised with the speakers enabling you to ask your questions and discuss the subject covered. From discovering CCF, how it works and its dynamics, to questions of an economic, ecological or social nature, the MOOC is designed to be comprehensive and aimed at everyone.

An overview of CCF across Europe

The ForestMoocForChange team went to meet foresters in Germany, Ireland, France and Belgium. The foresters spoke about their experience of CCF, sometimes spanning several decades, and demonstrated some of their successes in the field.

Starting with the main principles of continuous-cover silviculture, you will then discover the functioning and dynamics of natural forests and how CCF is inspired by them. The resilience of forests and their ecosystem services are hot topics these days, and are the subject of a chapter in their own right. The course also looks at the profitability of continuous cover forestry, with testimonials from foresters who apply it for its economic benefits, among other reasons. If at first glance it seems complicated to change forest management, a dedicated chapter will reassure you where, step by step, forest transformation practices and tools are reviewed. Finally, we’ll take you across Europe to discover forests managed using CCF in different ecosystems, each with its own challenges and opportunities. A real source of inspiration!

Join the foresters of tomorrow!

Follow the ForestMoocForChange in French, German or English from 16 October to 7 December 2023. A new chapter will be available each week, and can be followed from home, whenever you want, at your own pace. The course is completely free, and includes certification if you complete all the modules.