Forest restoration in practice – lessons learned from 12 demo sites

Gesche Schifferdecker on January 23, 2026

SUBERB demo sites

Restoring forests is as much a social, institutional, and economic endeavor as it is an ecological one. Across regions, landscapes, and governance contexts, restoration initiatives have generated a wealth of experience – what worked, what didn’t, and what must change to achieve lasting impact. This Lessons Learned booklet brings together insights from our 12 large-scale restoration sites, grounded in real-world practice rather than theory alone.

The lessons presented here are not prescriptive recipes. Instead, they highlight recurring patterns, critical success factors, and persistent bottlenecks encountered in forest restoration efforts. Together, they underline a central truth: successful restoration is a long-term process that depends on people, policies, and institutions working in concert with ecological systems.

By distilling these lessons, the booklet aims to support practitioners, decision-makers, and funders in designing restoration efforts that are durable, scalable, and context-sensitive – moving from isolated projects toward sustained landscape transformation.

Key Messages

  1. Forest restoration is a long-term commitment.
    Restoration cannot be achieved through one-off interventions; it requires sustained engagement, adaptive management, and long-term vision.
  2. Disturbance can be a catalyst for change.
    Catastrophic natural events – particularly in single-species monocultures – often expose structural vulnerabilities and can trigger more ambitious and transformative restoration efforts.
  3. Local communities are central to success.
    Communities are not only beneficiaries but essential partners in restoration. Meaningful involvement must begin early and be supported through continuous, trust-building processes.
  4. Finance and institutions matter – but gaps remain.
    Stable public funding and institutional support are fundamental. At present, voluntary private finance mechanisms fall short of delivering the scale and reliability needed for restoration.
  5. Demonstration sites accelerate learning.
    Practical demonstrations provide tested and transferable models, showing how restoration can work across diverse ecological and socio-economic contexts.
  6. Restoration costs are highly variable.
    Costs depend on landscape conditions, the intensity and complexity of measures, spatial fragmentation, and opportunity costs for land users.
  7. Scaling up requires policy alignment.
    Successful upscaling depends on aligning local practices and needs with broader policy frameworks and regulatory environments.
  8. Knowledge infrastructures ensure lasting impact.
    Systems for consolidating and sharing knowledge are essential to move beyond individual projects and to support institutions responsible for national restoration planning.

New Call for Proposals: Climate-Smart Forestry and Forest Restoration Pilots in Europe

Gesche Schifferdecker on December 19, 2025

FORWARDS via the European Forest Institute (EFI) has launched a new call for proposals, G-07-2025, inviting applications to establish Climate-Smart Forestry (CSF) and forest restoration pilot projects across Europe, with a strong focus on citizen and stakeholder engagement. The call aims to generate practical, region-specific evidence on how CSF and restoration approaches influence forest functioning and contribute to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity, while addressing uncertainties and real-world implementation challenges.

A core element of the call is the active involvement of citizens and stakeholders in forest management. Coordinating with local communities and practitioners is crucial for the successful implementation of climate-smart solutions, ensuring that diverse perspectives and place-based knowledge are fairly integrated. Through stakeholder engagement, projects are expected to foster social learning, build trust, reduce marginalisation, and strengthen collective capacity for action, ultimately improving the effectiveness and uptake of sustainable forest management and adaptation measures.

Up to five grants of up to EUR 150,000 each will be awarded, across three thematic lots, for projects with a maximum duration of 12 months. Proposals must be received by EFI no later than 1 February 2026 at 21:00 (UTC+2). EFI encourages forest practitioners, researchers, and practitioner–science partnerships to apply and contribute to advancing climate-smart forestry and restoration practices across Europe.

For full details on eligibility, scope, and application requirements, please check the respective website: G-07-2025: Establishing Climate-Smart Forestry and forest restoration pilots in Europe with citizen and stakeholder engagement | European Forest Institute

New SUPERB policy brief: forest restoration as a pillar of Europe’s climate and biodiversity action

Gesche Schifferdecker on December 17, 2025

SUBERB demo areas

Our newly released policy brief brings together scientific knowledge and hands-on experience from our 12 large-scale forest restoration initiatives across Europe, offering timely and practical guidance for policymakers, forest managers, and other key stakeholders.

The brief underlines that restoring forests is not a single action, but a long-term, multi-phase process. Effective restoration typically moves from assessing initial conditions and drivers of degradation, through planning and implementation, to long-term maintenance, monitoring, and evaluation. Success depends on flexibility, adaptive management, and strong engagement with multiple stakeholders, including forest owners, local communities, policymakers, and practitioners.

In the face of climate change, increasing disturbances, and shifting socio-economic demands, our policy brief stresses the need for future-oriented restoration targets. These should focus not only on biodiversity, but also on the ecosystem services forests provide – such as carbon storage, water regulation, and recreation – and the ecological processes that sustain them. Because the benefits of restoration often become visible only after decades, our brief highlights the critical importance of sustained funding for monitoring and adaptive management.

Drawing on insights from our 12 large-scale forest restoration demonstration areas across Europe, our experts identified shared challenges despite the diversity of forest types, ownership structures, and management traditions. Key issues include high ungulate browsing pressure that damages young trees and increases restoration costs, difficulties in engaging private forest owners – who manage around 60% of Europe’s forests – and constraints related to forest reproductive materials, such as shortages of climate-adapted seeds and seedlings.

To address these challenges, the brief puts forward clear and actionable recommendations. These include increasing flexibility in restoration objectives and timelines, adapting hunting and forest reproductive materials legislation, and strengthening monitoring of browsing impacts. Further recommendations suggest improving dialogue among forest managers, hunters, and communities, and supporting nurseries through long-term planning and investment. Our experts also call for contingency planning to cope with natural disturbances and for the strategic use of pioneer and climate-adapted species to build resilient mixed forests.

By translating lessons learned from real-world restoration efforts into policy-relevant recommendations, this policy brief provides a valuable roadmap for scaling up forest restoration across Europe. At a time when resilient forests are more important than ever, it offers concrete guidance to help turn ambitious restoration commitments into lasting outcomes.

Reference: Filipek, S., Jacobs, S., Nabuurs, GJ., Barnkob Lehrmann, M., Bílek, L., Campana, F., Cotten, L., de Dios, J., de Graaf, M., de Guerry, B., Đodan, M., Galić, Z., Gallego, R., García, R., Gómez Fernández, M., Granberg, Å., Hoch, T., Jactel, H., Janzen, L., Lastra González, D., Lindner, M., Locatelli, T., Marušák, R., Mijatović, L., Nicoll, B., Oleagordia, Í., Olsen, H., Orazio, C., Olrik, D. C., Raats, L., Saini, M., Schmidt, C., Svoboda, M., Svensson, J., Tognetti, R., Vacchiano, G., Zorić, M., Zotta, M., Schatzdorfer, E. (2025): Common challenges in implementing forest restoration: Experiences from 12 large-scale demonstration areas across Europe. Policy brief. https://doi.org/10.36333/rs15

WEBINAR: Beyond Boundaries: Linking Science, Policy, and Practice in Forest Knowledge Systems

Daria Kononenko on November 10, 2025

Join us for a 1.5–2-hour interactive webinar that brings together scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society to explore how knowledge on forests and biodiversity can be better connected, communicated, and put into action. Rather than a series of presentations, this event will emphasize open dialogue and active engagement among all participants.

We’ll kick off with short, insightful inputs from our diverse panelists – representatives from science, policy, practice, indigenous communities, and NGOs – who will share how they prepare and exchange knowledge in their work.

A lively panel discussion will then dive into key questions:

  • How can scientific, practical, indigenous, and policy knowledge be made more accessible and actionable?
  • How can we bridge these different knowledge systems to strengthen biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management in a changing climate?

Participants are warmly invited to join the conversation before and during the event via this Padlet board – submit your questions, share your experiences, and help shape the discussion.

The webinar will also spotlight where to find reliable and tailored knowledge on forest management and biodiversity under climate change, including an introduction to the newly launched Forest Knowledge Gateway.

The panel session, moderated by Jo O’Hara, aims to strengthen knowledge exchange networks and inspire more inclusive, effective collaboration across forest-related communities.

Panelists:

  • Gesche Schifferdecker, Manager of the Forest Knowledge Gateway, European Forest Institute
  • Jonathan Spazzi, Forestry Development Officer, Teagasc
  • Karin Nutti Pilflykt, EU-Advisor, The Saami Council
  • Martin Belcher, Director of Impact, Climate, Environment and Natural Capital, The Palladium Group 
  • Kelsey Perlman, European Forest Campaigner, FERN
  • Marie Vandewalle, Senior Scientist and leader of the Biodiversity Science Policy Interface Research Group at UFZ, Co-coordinator of BioAgora

Date and time: 26th November 2025, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm CET

Register here!

Stakeholders inspire forest restoration progress in Vysočina region

superbadmin on October 29, 2025

Stakeholder Engagement: excursion

On 3 June 2025, the third SUPERB stakeholder workshop took place in Žďár nad Sázavou in Czech Republic, bringing together forestry experts, local landowners, researchers, and members of the public to discuss forest restoration challenges and opportunities in the Vysočina region. The event provided valuable insights into how restoration practices can balance ecological resilience with economic and social needs.

Discussions focused on forest regeneration, water retention, and the creation of healthy, diverse, and resilient forests that serve both production and non-production functions. Participants emphasized the importance of involving a wider range of community members and ensuring transparent communication about restoration goals.

The workshop’s evaluation confirmed a positive and constructive atmosphere, with participants praising the opportunity to exchange views and learn from local forestry examples. Those new to the project gradually developed a deeper understanding of the region’s forest management practices and expressed appreciation for the project’s transparent and inclusive approach. Many participants noted that the showcased restoration activities could serve as inspiration for their own forest management efforts.

The workshop also revealed new opportunities for broader stakeholder engagement, such as visiting restoration sites beyond the project area to compare experiences and results. Ensuring public participation and maintaining open dialogue were identified as key success factors for future activities.

The event built on previous outreach efforts, including presentations at forestry seminars and professional lectures organized by Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU) and regional partners. These activities continue to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, foresters, and local communities.

In conclusion, the workshop reinforced a shared vision: restoring resilient, biodiverse forests in the wake of bark beetle damage – a mission that, as participants agreed, is already showing promising results across the Vysočina region.

What motivates forest owners to join biodiversity restoration schemes?

Daria Kononenko on October 17, 2025

A new study from the SUPERB project, published in Restoration Ecology, explored how forest owners in Denmark and Finland respond to different kinds of agreements for supporting biodiversity in their forests. 

The research showed that many owners want much higher compensation to join result-based schemes, where payments depend on proven improvements in biodiversity. In Finland, owners asked for more than double compared to action-based schemes, which simply pay for carrying out agreed management practices (like planting or habitat protection). 

Preferences also varied by country: Danish owners welcomed outside consultant support, while Finnish owners preferred to do self-monitoring under action-based contracts – but disliked monitoring when payments depended on biodiversity results. 

Overall, the study highlights that restoring nature on private land will only succeed if agreements are designed to fit both the practical needs of forest owners and the ecological goals of restoration. This insight is particularly important as the EU shapes its new Forest Strategy for 2030. 

Read the study here

Full reference: Süring, C. M., & Lundhede, T. H. (2025). Private forest owner preferences for action- and result-based biodiversity restoration contracts – A discrete choice experiment in Denmark and Finland. Forest Policy and Economics, 169, 103609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2025.103609

Photo: Punyawee / Adobe Stock

“Restoring forests and facts: how Social Media analysis can shape environmental stories

Gesche Schifferdecker on October 14, 2025

Social Media analysis tool

A new article from researchers involved in SUPERB underscores how social media platforms can serve as valuable sources for climate and environmental journalism. Published as the first in a two-part series titled “Climate Reporting: 5 Tips for Sourcing Stories Online,” the piece offers practical guidance for journalists seeking to use digital data to better understand public engagement with nature and restoration initiatives.

The SUPERB project provided the research basis for this work. By analysing online conversations across five digital platforms and twelve European forest sites, including our demonstration sites in Scotland’s Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains, the researchers demonstrated how online engagement can reveal diverse and evolving narratives about forests, biodiversity, and ecological recovery.

The authors Thais Lobo (Kings Colleague London/KCL), Rina Tsubaki (European Forest Institute), Liliana Bounegru, Jonathan Gray (both KCL), and Gabriele Colombo (Politechnical University of Milan) emphasize that social media data, while not neutral, can offer rich leads for environmental storytelling when used critically. Their checklist advises journalists to “mind the platform,” “collect creatively,” and “search smart,” reflecting the varied ways people and communities relate to nature online.

Importantly, the research highlights that looking beyond viral trends can help surface under-represented voices and perspectives, such as local citizens, seasonal workers, and lesser-known species that form part of restoration ecosystems. These insights are vital for projects like SUPERB, which aim to connect ecological restoration with social inclusion and public participation.

As part of SUPERB’s broader mission to enhance Europe’s forest resilience, the study positions digital platforms as powerful tools for transparency, engagement, and evidence-based storytelling – bridging the gap between scientific research, community experience, and public awareness in the climate crisis.

Webinar: From Nature Restoration to National Restoration Plans

Daria Kononenko on October 13, 2025

The European Forest Institute’s ThinkForest forum and the SUPERB project are jointly hosting a webinar titled “From Nature Restoration to National Restoration Plans – What Support Can the Latest Science Offer?” to discuss how science can inform and guide the implementation of the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR).

In force since 18 August 2024, the NRR sets legally binding targets to halt and reverse ecosystem degradation across the European Union. By 2030, at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas must undergo restoration measures, and by 2050, all ecosystems in need should be addressed. To achieve these goals, each EU Member State must prepare and submit a National Restoration Plan (NRP) by 1 September 2026.

Forests form a central part of this effort. The Regulation applies not only to protected areas, such as those under the Natura 2000 network, but to all forests in the EU. Considering Europe’s diversity in forest types, species, and disturbance regimes, effective restoration requires science-based, adaptive, and socially inclusive approaches.

The upcoming webinar will:

  • Explore the drivers of forest degradation and restoration approaches, including ecological and adaptive measures.
  • Discuss key success factors for forest restoration such as inclusive governance forms and participatory approaches.
  • Foster dialogue on challenges and opportunities in designing effective, realistic and synergistic National Restoration Plans.

Speakers:

  • Helga Pülzl, Assistant Director, European Forest Institute
  • Elisabeth Schatzdorfer, Principal Scientist, European Forest Institute
  • Gesche Schifferdecker, Communications Manager, European Forest Institute
  • Florian Claeys, European Commission, DG Environment
  • Jenni Roche, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Ireland
  • Katarina Tumpa, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Croatia
  • Łukasz Rejt, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Poland

Join us to explore how the latest scientific insights can help shape effective, equitable, and forward-looking forest restoration strategies under the EU’s Nature Restoration Regulation.

Date: Tuesday, 4 November 2025
Time: 10:00–11:30 CET
Register here

From pixels to pines: exploring Bulgaria’s Rhodopes Forests

Annabel Burg on September 30, 2025

Excursion group in Bulgaria

#RestorationStory by Annabel Burg, Sietse van der Woude, and Niamh Kelly

It was the last day of June 2025 when our small group set out from Schiphol Airport. Traveling with us, three PhD students from Wageningen University and Research, were two colleagues: Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Professor of European Forest Resources at Wageningen University, and Thomas Groen, Associate Professor of Remote Sensing at the University of Twente. Our destination was Bulgaria – a country that, until then, most of us knew little about. We were curious, not only about its history and culture, but especially about its landscapes. Despite its modest size, Bulgaria is blessed with mountains, rivers, caves, and lakes. More than one-third of the country is covered by forests, making it one of Europe’s most densely forested and biodiverse nations.

The roots of this journey stretched back a few months earlier. In February, during a meeting in Suceava, Romania, Gert-Jan had spoken with Tzvetan Zlatanov, Professor of Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. That conversation marked the beginning of a collaboration. In the weeks that followed, Tzvetan shared with us a treasure trove of information: a forest inventory database compiled from over 150 forest enterprises across Bulgaria, with data on about one million forest stands. It was an extraordinary resource. But data can only take us so far. To truly understand forests, we also need to see them. And so, this trip was born – part scientific mission, part field validation, and part opportunity to experience Bulgarian forests firsthand.

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Three Words for Forest: Where Theatre Meets the Trees

Gesche Schifferdecker on September 26, 2025

What if a play could change the way we see forests?

In a small rehearsal room at the University of Glasgow, words gathered like leaves. They weren’t just any words, but the real voices of forestry practitioners, researchers, and policymakers: thirty people who spend their lives among trees, wrestling with the question of how to care for them in a rapidly changing climate.

Those voices became Three Words for Forest: Exploring Uncertainty in a Time of Climate Crisis, a verbatim theatre production co-created by University of Glasgow’s Professor Deirdre Heddon and Dr Rachel Clive, which can also be watched online now.

Performed by a professional creative team, the play doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations. It dives into the tensions and uncertainties of forestry today: the urgency of climate change, the spread of disease, the pressure to plant millions of new trees, and the disagreements about the best way forward. Yet through it all runs a deep current of care – for forests, for landscapes, and for future generations.

The project is part of newLEAF, a research programme within the UK’s Future of Treescapes, which explores how trees adapt to climate change and the vital role humans play in their survival. With only 13% of the UK currently covered in woodland, and the government pledging to increase that significantly, the stakes could not be higher. Resilience will depend not just on science, but on people – people willing to connect, learn, and imagine together.

Now, thanks to new funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the filmed play will be shared more widely. Accessible versions – complete with audio description, sign language interpretation, and supported viewing formats – open the conversation to more communities. Workshop guides are also being created so schools, community groups, and forestry organisations can use the film as a springboard for dialogue and reflection.

For Professor Heddon, this is about building what she calls forest citizenship:

“Our research showed that forestry specialists want better conversations across differing views, and that while the public cares about forests, many feel disconnected from the forestry sector. This funding allows us to build bridges and raise awareness of forestry as a career and sector.”

Dr Clive, who co-wrote and directed the play, sees theatre itself as a bridge:

“Theatre helps us to connect emotionally and practically with change. This funding lets us co-create new resources with partners to support wider engagement with the play’s insights.”

The project has also drawn praise from scientists within newLEAF. Dr Stephen Cavers of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology highlights how the arts are helping bring diverse voices together:

“Three Words for Forest has really shown the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, to connect us with new audiences and highlight the voices of the diverse community of people engaged with our trees and forests.”

And for Dr David Edwards of Forest Research, the project shows how creativity can unlock new ways of seeing:

“The project demonstrates the power of the arts and humanities to collaborate meaningfully with scientists and help us see the world in new ways. The follow-on funding will help more people connect with forest science, foresters, and forests.”

In a time when the climate crisis can feel overwhelming, Three Words for Forest invites us into a different kind of conversation – not just about what we can do for forests, but about what forests mean to us, and how listening to each other might shape a more resilient future.

Featured image: Production Forestry – Charlotte Driessler, Helen Cuinn and Tam Dean Burn (Photo credit: Rachel Clive)