Slovenian and Chinese forest experts strengthen ties through science, innovation and field experience
Visit of the Delegation from the Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF) within Bilateral Cooperation (SFI–CAF) and the TRANSFORMIT Project, 17–18 April 2026
On Friday, 17 April 2026, the Slovenian Forestry Institute (SFI) welcomed a delegation from the Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF) for a two-day programme dedicated to strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing joint activities within the TRANSFORMIT project.
The visit began at the Slovenian Forestry Institute with welcome addresses by representatives of SFI, CAF and the Slovenia Forest Service, setting the stage for discussions on future scientific and professional collaboration between the institutions. Participants were introduced to the activities and research areas of SFI and exchanged views on opportunities for expanding cooperation in forestry research and practice.
The indoor programme continued with expert presentations covering sustainable forest management, forest restoration under changing environmental conditions, forest monitoring, and the bioeconomic dimensions of forestry. Particular attention was devoted to the TRANSFORMIT project and to the exchange of knowledge and experience between Slovenian and Chinese partners.
An important highlight of the meeting was the presentation by Prof. Zheng Yongqi on the upcoming International Workshop on Integrated Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation (IFM), which will take place in Beijing from 15–17 July 2026. The presentation also introduced planned field visits scheduled for 18–20 July 2026 to either the Bawangling National Nature Reserve in Hainan Province or the Liangshui Experimental Forest Farm in Heilongjiang Province.
The delegation also visited the newly established Centre for Forest Seed Management, Nursery Production and Forest Protection at the Slovenian Forestry Institute. There, participants gained insight into the Institute’s research and professional activities related to forest reproductive material, nursery production and forest health.
The programme moved outdoors on Saturday, 18 April 2026, when SFI and the Slovenia Forest Service jointly organised a field day in the Gorenjska region.
The first stop was the intensive forest monitoring plot (IM, ICP Forests Level II) at the Brdo estate, where participants were introduced to the methodologies used for monitoring forest condition in Slovenia as part of the international ICP Forests programme.
From Brdo, the delegation continued to Pokljuka and the Mrzli Studenec site near the Slovenia Forest Service facilities. Here, participants were presented with the forest management plan for the area and took part in practical exercises using a marteloscope. The visit offered valuable insight into modern approaches to forest management planning and decision-making in practice.
The field excursion then turned to one of the most pressing challenges facing European forests today: recovering from natural disturbances. Participants visited forest stands damaged by the severe windstorm that had struck the area earlier in March, discussing restoration measures and strategies for increasing forest resilience to natural disturbances and the impacts of climate change.
The programme concluded with a visit to the Goreljek peat bog in Triglav National Park. Participants explored the unique characteristics of this raised bog, considered one of the southernmost peat bogs of its kind in Europe. Presentations highlighted the processes of peat formation following the last glaciation, the ecological importance of peat mosses, and the exceptional conservation value of these sensitive wetland habitats.
The two-day meeting once again demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in addressing shared challenges related to climate change, forest protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. By combining scientific expertise, practical experience and field-based learning, the visit further strengthened the partnership between Slovenian and Chinese forestry institutions and laid foundations for future collaboration.