Inspirational ideas: Forests for wood, water, food and fun

The forest land of Vincios near the city of Vigo (Spain) was mainly used to produce eucalyptus for pulp and pine for timber. A few years ago, the forest’s management board decided to increase production. They took action, first by using the forest undergrowth to produce compost, then they planted other species of trees such as oaks and chestnuts that produce a higher quality wood, they worked on improving the growth of mushrooms for consumption, installed beehives, started breeding wild horses to feed on scrubland, and other initiatives. These new activities have not only increased the income that the forests generate, but it has also produced other benefits such as lowering the amount of biomass which reduces the risk of forest fires, increasing the water retention and filtering capacity of the forest and improving the water quality of the nearby Zamáns reservoir which provides water to the city of Vigo. It has also increased the attractiveness of the forest and made it more of a pleasant place for people to visit, go for walks and enjoy other outdoor activities.