Among the many elements of environmental values, representative sample areas of native ecosystems are the subject of many questions and discussions among FSC certificate holders. Despite 5 years of experience in practical application of the FSC standard for Ukraine requirements, the issues of proper identification of such areas, their assessment, monitoring, development of measures for their protection, maintain and enhancement of functions remain relevant for Ukraine. This was the subject of the training, during which the participants, namely responsible for forest certification representatives of the State Enterprise «Forests of Ukraine» and Communal Enterprises of «Zhytomyroblagrolis», deepened their knowledge and skills in this area step by step.
As an element of best practices, the methodology for meeting the requirements of the FSC standard for Ukraine in terms of representative sample areas of native ecosystems and typical forms for documenting relevant processes presented by experts during the training enriched the training program. In particular, the theoretical component of the training contributed to increasing the consistency of the participants' vision of the requirements for representative sample areas, which are reflected not only within criterion 6.5 of the FSC standard for Ukraine, but are part of other criteria and indicators of the standard related to environmental values. The practical orientation of the training was enhanced by the possibility of desk-based identification of representative sample areas of native ecosystems based on the electronic forest management database, the use of photo and video materials, and the case studies that immersed participants in the realities of making both managerial and production decisions at the level of management units.
Mutual exchange of experience in the field of responsible forest management, joint search for balanced solutions with due regard to the goals of maintaining and preserving environmental values along with obtaining economic effects from management activities and providing social benefits – all this united the participants of the training. Their activity, well-founded position and perseverance in performing practical tasks showed the potential for the necessary transformations of their views and practical approaches in line with the FSC values. Expert support within the training provided by Andrii Churilov (NULES of Ukraine), Taras Kharachko (NFU of Ukraine, NGO «ForestCom»), various forms and methods of work used contributed to the high efficiency of the training and determined its significant role in improving the relevant competencies of forestry employees.
Pavlo Kravets, Director of FSC Ukraine, said: «We have made yet another step towards progress in creating knowledge and developing skills for responsible forestry employees on environmental values. The results of the training demonstrate the existence of one of the key conditions for FSC certification, namely, motivated and competent staff prepared for the creative implementation of the FSC standard requirements for Ukraine».
