Afforestation Activities Project financed by the European Union

Rational for afforestation programmes Legal requirement Incentives

Legal regulations that should preserve forests Forest functions have to be considered in public and private planning. Clear-felled forests have to be reforested. Conversion of forestland is forbidden. A permission to convert shall be governed by the proof of afforestation in the neighbourhood. (quantitative aspect of sustainability). Compensation Aspect

Afforestation : Establishment of forests on sites that had been without forest for at least twenty years >> additional forest area Reforestation: Establishment of forests on sites that had been forest before (clear-felled sites, ….)

Province of Northern Hesse: Conversion and afforestation of forest areas

Afforestation on public land is managed by the State Forest Administration and financed from the state budget. Additional afforestation are realised through private land owners and supported by governmental subsidies.

§ 22 Forest Code of Hesse 1) The Hessian State Forest Administration supports private forest owners in the management of their forests at no charge through  Guidance  Extension service  Operational support  Applied research

§ 22 Forest Code of Hesse 2)The State of Hesse is authorized in general or in specific cases to grant loans and subsidies to private forest owners for the support of forestry at all or to handle urgent forestry tasks (e.g. reforestation, tending, pest control, training of forest owners) 3)The responsible ministry has to publish the guidelines regarding special support (application method, measures which are subsidized, financial volume)

§ 22 Forest Code of Hesse 2)The State of Hesse is authorized in general or in specific cases to grant loans and subsidies to private forest owners for the support of forestry at all or to handle urgent forestry tasks (e.g. reforestation, tending, pest control, training of forest owners) 3)The responsible ministry has to publish the guidelines regarding special support (application method, measures which are subsidized, financial volume)

Aims of Forestry Support Programs To preserve forest cover To support sustainable forest management in terms of natural development To improve income generation in the rural area To strengthen Joint Forest Management

Measure Catalogue Afforestation Promotion of close to nature forestry Strengthening Joint Forest Management Improving forest related infrastructure Promotion of silvicultural measures to improve environmental situation of forests Support of forest management activities in case of calamities ( forest fires, storm, pests..)

Afforestation Financial subsidies are granted for Establishment of a forest on a former agricultural area (site preparation, plants, planting, protection): Year 1 Beating up: Year 2 Tending of the afforestation: Year 5 Financial allowance to compensate losses in income, because of non agricultural land use: Year 1 to year 15 (annually):

Afforestation Financial subsidies are paid As a lump sum based on the area In different amount according to the type of afforestation By proof of successful establishment and maintenance, otherwise the subsidies will be reclaimed back by the forest authorities

Financial support of for private forest owners derive from: European Union Federal Budget State budget of Hesse

Project financed by the European Union Prepared by :  Oliver Scholz  Rolf Schulzke