Pskov - testing Nordic forestry practices in Russia 

The Pskov Model Forest Project – co-sponsored by Stora Enso and managed by WWF Russia – aims to balance the economic, ecological and social sustainability of forestry in the Pskov Region in Northwest Russia. The area received FSC forest certification in September 2003. 

The Pskov Model Forest tests Nordic forestry practices, such as public participation and the landscape ecological planning approach in forest management. The project has been positively received by both local people and the authorities. The new ecological trails provided as part of the project are well used by schoolchildren on field trips and other local people. Many stakeholders have expressed their interest in adopting similar practices in other areas of Russia.

The first three-year phase of the project was completed in November 2003 after which the results were disseminated to other companies, the authorities and non-governmental organisations. Institutions including the World Bank are already utilising and circulating findings from Pskov in their own projects. In April 2005 the second phase of the Pskov Model Forest Project started. During the second phase (2005-2008) project findings will be replicated in other territories of Northwest Russia, including Leningrad, Vologda and Arkhangelsk Oblasts. Furthermore, future foresters will be trained in sustainable forest management in Lisino Forestry College, Leningrad Oblast.

The Pskov Model Forest is located in a forest area leased by Stora Enso’s subsidiary STF Strug. It is financed by Stora Enso, WWF Germany and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The project is co-ordinated and operated by WWF Russia. The public forest administration, forest research, forest management planning enterprise, local administration and other stakeholders participate in the steering group.

The Pskov Model Forest Project has been accepted as the Stora Enso case for the UN Global Compact.