Czech National Park FSC certification
One of the large National Parks in Europe, the Czech Krkonose National Park, has obtained FSC certification for its 35 000 hectares of forest.
With 6 million annual visitors and an active awareness raising policy, the Park is now set to drive the FSC certification process in the country.
“We obtained FSC certification primarily for communication purposes”, says Jan Hrebačka, the park director. “Independent third-party verification to well-recognized global standards provides a credibility that we need to communicate with the public about responsible forestry”.
The park is renowned for its extremely varied landscape and vegetation as well as the abundance of migrating birds. In recognition of its uniqueness, the park is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Showcases are needed
In the managed forests of the park, surrounding a strictly protected core area, close-to-nature forestry practices are followed that include preservation of microhabitats such as hollow trees. The Park intends to use the FSC certificate to raise awareness about its responsible forestry practices, and is putting up signposts and special trails for the tourists.
At the same time, the Czech National Initiative has launched an awareness campaign about FSC among the public. The comprehensive campaign runs until March 2010 and will include a facebook profile, microsites, PR articles in electronic media, billboards, instore promotion and promotion in the public transport. The visitor centers in the Krkonose National Pak also inform the public about the FSC and help to raise awareness of its trademarks.
"We need good showcases to demonstrate how responsible forestry can be done", says Michal Rezek of FSC-Czech Republic. "With its extremely high visitor numbers, Krkonose National Park is an excellent place for that".
Many stakeholders in the Czech Republic are deeply concerned about unsustainable forestry practices. Poor management is now linked with problems such as extensive forest dieback, loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and decreased resistance to pests and weather extremes. In 2006, this caused 280 Czech scientists to call for responsible forestry in a joint statement.
According to a public poll carried out in June 2009, the prompted knowledge of the FSC trademark was 9% among the Czech public.
Shortage of certified round wood
"FSC forest management certification is only starting to develop here, and the certification of this prestigious touristic site is sure to set precedence among other publicly owned forests", says Michal Rezek. "There is already a home market for certified forest products. Certification of the wood-based industries here is further developed than the forest industry, and there is a shortage of FSC-certified wood on the domestic market".
A happy giant
Krkonose National Park is located in the legendary Giant Mountains, ruled by the wise and friendly giant Krakonose.
"I'm sure that he is happy to see his mountains FSC-certified", says Michal Rezek. "In the middle ages, glass production and mining in the area led to almost complete deforestation. Now the area is classified as National Park, and with the FSC certification its unique values have been even further secured".
As all good fairy tales, this one also has a happy ending!
The FSC certification of the Krkonoše National Park is part of the project "Implementing environmentally sound management according to FSC standards in the Czech Republic".
