Managing Preserving Developing FOREWORD ver 300 years ago, Freiberg chief mining With an ecological forest conversion, we are helping the O administrator Hans Carl von Carlowitz introduced sensitive forest ecosystem to adapt to climate change. the term and principle of “sustainability” into our We improve its protective function, and preserve and business life. Today, this principle has significantly develop fragile landscapes. In the state forest, we also broadened its scope. At Sachsenforst, our daily work use state-of-the-art, soil-friendly forestry technology, in the forest takes into consideration sustainable as well as efficient, modern organisational structures, utilisation, as well as the needs of those seeking to increase our profitability. Many small and medium­ recreation and conservation aspects. sized businesses benefit from forestry work. Eco-tourism is a priority on the agenda of Saxony’s large nature reserves. Here as well as across the entire state forest, we impart environmental knowledge and awareness to young and old. Interested private and corporate forest owners receive advice and assistance from us on how to properly manage their forests. The basis of information applied to sustainable management of all forest properties is constantly being expanded at our Competence Centre for Wood and Forestry. Forestry in Saxony has a tradition of having an eye to the future. “Managing, preserving, developing” is what The forest is habitat of numerous plants and animals, our daily work is all about. while simultaneously serving as a place of recreation for many people. Timber, a regionally available, renewable raw material, is also produced in this forest. But these elementary requirements cannot always be met equally. Multi-purpose forestry also means having Prof. Dr. Hubert Braun, a mutual understanding and to compromise. Landesforstpräsident (Managing Director) 01 02 03 SACHSENFORST SACHSENFORST achsenforst’s tasks are as varied as Saxony’s Its headquarters, located in Pirna/Graupa, includes Managing, preserving, developing S forests themselves. In addition to managing the the General Management, the Competence Centre state forest*, Sachsenforst also bears responsibility for Wood and Forestry, as well as the Superior for the large nature reserves, and provides extensive Forests and Hunting Authority. The operational level forest-related information gained from forest research is split into twelve forest districts and three nature We’re taking responsibility preserving and environmental monitoring. As a Superior Authority reserve administrations with a total of 181 forest Saxony’s forest, with its functional and for Forests and Hunting, Sachsenforst helps to ensure stations. Sachsenforst also encompasses one forestry structural diversity, and constantly adapt that the legal regulations affecting the forest are apprenticeship and further training centre, three forest it to changing environmental conditions! We increase our profitability in the state complied with, and consequently that the forest can schools, two machinery stations, one seed kiln, three forest while preserving the consistency of fulfil its many functions in future. forest-tree nurseries and the Moritzburg wildlife park. The forest as all its functions! Sachsenforst currently employs around 1,450 staff, a whole Usage The Public Enterprise Sachsenforst founded on who, along with the outsourced services, make it one of 1 January 2006 is the product of the former state forest the biggest rural employers. Sachsenforst is supervised administration and the Saxon forestry offices. It is part by the Saxon State Ministry for the Environment and of the Saxon public administration as a special superior Agriculture (SMUL) and its administrative board. We improve protective functions, and state authority. preserve and develop fragile landscapes We maintain and increase the recreation within the state forest and in the nature facilities in our forest and nature reser­ reserves we monitor! ves in line with public needs, promote Preserving environmental awareness, and support eco-tourism! Recreation We help private and corporate forest We develop the information basis for owners to manage their forests! sustainable management of all forest Private and properties! corporate forests Competence Centre for Wood and Forestry * The term “state forest” as used in this publication exclusively denotes the forest owned by the Free State of Saxony. 04 05 SACHSENFORST IN FIGURES SACHSENFORST IN FIGURES On approx. 1,200 hectares of Saxony’s total area Sachsenforst are: we plant and sow a new generation of trees every is forest. This corresponds to year as part of the forest conversion scheme. In € 15 million terms of plants, that means: 29 % € 2 533,000 1,454 employees, million including hectares. 145 invested every year in forest spent on average per Who owns Saxony’s forests? trainees conversion and remedy of year on conservation. forest damage. Private forest 46 % 3 million 1 million 1 million 12 European beeches oaks silver firs forest districts State forest 39 % (Free State of Saxony) Which types of trees Over 800 identifiedbiotope tree groups grow in the state forest? 3 which have been preserved create a habitat for many Corporate forest 8 % nature reserve different species in the state forest, and help to increase administrations 51.0 % spruces biodiversity. State forest (Federal 5 % Republic of Germany) 181 17.3 % pines forest stations 3 Church forest 2 % 64 million m of timber in the state forest. 4.7 % larches 0.6 % other conifers 3 ? 12.2 m of timber ! grow in one hectare of forest every year. 6.4 % beeches 3 5.9 % oaks Around 15,000 75,000 13,000km 1.3 million m consultations performed every year with interested learners make use of our of trails are available to visitors used every year as part of forest maintenance 13.0 % other deciduous trees over 8,000 private forest owners. forest education services every year. in the state forest. and timber harvesting. Sources: German Federal Forest Inventory 2012, Management Report 2015 06 07 WE ARE SACHSENFORST WE ARE SACHSENFORST Romi Seibel works in the Florian Strauß works as a District forest official Janina Lorenz Richter watches over As head of the Oberlausitz Ulrike Gemballa is a member management’s HR division. forester in the Neustadt forest Albrecht runs the Glauchau the animals and plants in the forest district, Holm Karraß is of the research team to Together with her colleagues, she district and, like many of our forest station in the Chemnitz biosphere reserve Oberlausitzer responsible for almost 130,000 help Saxony’s forests at the looks after Sachsenforst’s 1,450 specialists, learned his profession forest district, where she is the Heide- und Teichlandschaft hectares of forest and some Competence Centre for Wood staff, and ensures all the talent at Sachsenforst. His tasks include first contact person for local as a ranger. He knows all the 60 staff. Together, they ensure and Forestry. She works in and diligent hands remain in the planting, forest maintenance, private and municipal forest region’s unique habitats and that the forests can fulfil its the laboratory, examining company. timber harvesting and building owners seeking information and rare species, explaining their utilisation, protective and environmental impacts on forest recreation facilities. advice on forest management. importance to many visitors on recreational functions, both soils, and therefore on tree tours through the nature reserve. today and in the future. growth. 08 09 The landscapes in many regions of Saxony are dominated by forests. It is part of our culture, represents a yearning for nature, but is also an important economic factor. Humans have long held significantly influenced the forest’s appearance by using its resources, particularly timber. According to our legally stated exemplary function, we manage Saxony’s state forest properly, harmoniously and sustainably. MANAGING MANAGING MANAGING We’re planting the future We’re securing a balance he forest is changing. There are historic reasons unting also plays a key role in securing the T for the pure spruces and pine plantations, which Hinvestments in forest conversion. It guarantees Browsing = biting off buds and leaves continue to characterise Saxony’s forests until today: the maintenance of an ecological and economic balance ► delayed growth or dieback of plants, lack of In line with the social requirements of the time, these in terms of game numbers. Sachsenforst is striving mixed tree species in the next generation tree species supplied the necessary construction and for woods, able to rejuvenate themselves naturally by industrial timber quickly and with relatively little spreading their own seeds and largely without any production expenses. Coupled with this, seeds for additional protective measures against damage from deciduous tree species were only available to a very bud browsing and bark peeling (e.g. fences). Sachsenforst has put in place a comprehensive monito­ limited extent. ring system to protect Saxony’s forest. Numerous kinds of environmental data (climate data, soil condition, In future we will face new challenges. Forests need plant nutrients) are collected and used to draw con­ to be more adaptable, particularly due to the ongoing The large, herbivorous wild animals (in Saxony clusions about the forest management. Sachsenforst’s climate change. A semi-natural mixed forest of coni­ primarily red and roe deer) often cause significant staff constantly monitor