In September 2025, the associations Forstkammer Baden-Württemberg and the WaldBeiderBasel, as project partners in the LivingLab Central, hosted the excursion “Forest in Transition” in Rickenbach.
Forest owners from Germany and Switzerland, together with representatives of regional forest administrations and members of the Small4Good project, recently met to discuss strategies for multifunctional forest management.
The event placed a strong emphasis on cross-border knowledge exchange. By bringing together stakeholders from both countries and incorporating insights from all Living Labs, participants were able to gain new perspectives and learn from one another’s experiences.
A central focus of the meeting was the closer integration of research and practice. Direct dialogue with forest owners provided an opportunity to reflect scientific findings in real-world contexts, while also ensuring that practical needs and on-the-ground experiences are fed back into ongoing research activities.
Participants also worked collaboratively to further develop key approaches to sustainable forest use, contributing to the advancement of multifunctional forest management.
Active participation by forest owners emerged as a key success factor. Their involvement underscored the importance of engaging practitioners in the development of effective and applicable solutions.
Overall, the event highlighted the value of such collaborative formats in fostering exchange, connecting diverse perspectives, and supporting the effective transfer of research into practice.
Picture: Andreas Gabriel