Registration for IFPM6 is now open. Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/0bPEktSJm3 Further information is provided below.
6th International Forest Policy Meeting
Prague, 12-15 May 2026
„Perception versus Reality in Forest Policy“
Forest policy is shaped by a complex interplay of scientific knowledge, political agendas, diverse interests on forest ecosystem services, and public perceptions. Yet discrepancies frequently emerge—between policy objectives and their implementation, between expert assessments and societal understandings, and between institutional narratives and on-the-ground realities. These mismatches reflect the dual nature of forest policy: shaped both by objective data and subjective perceptions, which are influenced by cultural, historical, and socio-economic contexts.
The 6th International Forest Policy Meeting (IFPM6) will focus on the tension between perception and reality in forest policy, with a particular interest in the post-socialist transformation and current dynamics in forest governance in Eastern countries within the EU. However, the conference remains open to global perspectives and invites comparative case studies that shed light on how similar challenges are addressed in diverse contexts.
The conference will explore the underlying factors that contribute to these mismatches, including media narratives, stakeholder conflicts, regional disparities, and the selective use of scientific evidence. We are particularly interested in approaches to measuring perceptions—qualitatively and quantitatively—through the assessment of societal attitudes, stakeholder priorities, and expert evaluations.
A central question will be how to bridge perception gaps through participatory governance, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and transparent, effective communication. Contributions are encouraged to address how such misalignments influence policy outcomes—especially in conservation strategies, land use conflicts, and the integration of traditional or indigenous knowledge in forest decision-making.
When and where?
The IFPM6 meeting is a 3day in-person event (+ 1 day excursion) organised by the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and Technical University in Zvolen, and will take place in the CZU Campus in Prague from May 12th to May 15th.
Conference Venue
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU)
Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences
Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague – Suchdol Czech Republic
Practical information (tips for accommodation, transportation etc. will be added soon).
Deadlines and key dates
- September, 2025: Call for papers published
- December 31, 2025: Submission deadline for proposed panels and papers
- January 31, 2026: Acceptance/rejection of panels/papers.
- February 2026: Registration opens
- March 20, 2026: Deadline for registration
- April 15, 2026: Conference program published
- May 12, 2026: Start of conference
- May 15, 2026: Excursions
Fee and registration
- The conference fee is €300 (regular), €220 PhD students. Extra fee will be payed for the summer school in Zvolen (to be added) and for excursion (to be added). Registration will open in January 2026.
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Registration is now open. Please complete the registration form at the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/0bPEktSJm3
After submitting the registration form, you will receive an email containing a link to the secure payment gateway. Payment is possible by credit/debit card only. Once the payment has been successfully completed, you will receive a confirmation email verifying your registration.
The total fee will be calculated automatically based on the selected registration category and chosen options, including excursions.
Organizing committee: FLD CZU and TUZVO
- Vilém Jarský (jarsky@fld.czu.cz), Jaroslav Šálka (salka@tuzvo.sk), Petra Palátová (palatovap@fld.czu.cz), Radek Rinn (rinn@fld.czu.cz)
CALL FOR PANELS AND PAPERS -Submission closed
Publication opportunities
There will be a possibility to publish high quality papers in special issue of Forest Policy and Economics and also in Forests Monitor. 3 best young researchers' contributions (selected presentations/abstracts) will be also awarded.
Keynote Speakers
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Prof. Dr. Max Krott University of Göttingen The key note discusses solutions for three major issues: How to optimize the perception of forest policy within science, how to effectively transfer the scientific results into practice of forest policy making and how to mobilize people and financial resources for forest policy research. The conclusions are based on experiences of 45 years research in forest policy in five continents. |
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Dr. Agata A. Konczal Wageningen University In this talk, the audience is invited on a journey into the forests of Central Europe. The aim is to reflect on the dynamics and characteristics of forestry and forest policy in this part of the continent during the past three decades. Using the notion of a post-socialist forest as a guiding theme, the cultural, historical, and political dynamics that have been shaping forest management, policy, and their social perception and acceptance will be discussed. By examining Poland, this presentation utilizes the notion of post-socialism to explain the ongoing transformation of forest management and forest policy, as well as the social conflicts that surround them. |
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Dr. Helga Pülzl European Forest Institute The talk will look into how EU forest governance has evolved and which policy objectives are central and why implementation remains a challenge. |
The CVs of the keynote speakers are available below.
EXCURSIONS
1) Kinský forest property (https://kinsky-zdar.cz/), 15/5/2026
In the Czech Republic, we can find various types of forest owners. A significant group consists of forests and lands of noble families who acquired their properties in restitution in the 1990s. One of them is the property of the Kinsky family. The Kinsky family is one of the oldest Czech noble families. It was first mentioned at the beginning of the 13th century during the reign of King Přemysl Otakar I. During communism, their properties were confiscated and the current owner, Constantin Kinsky, returned to the tradition of land care in the 1990s without knowledge of forestry and agriculture. Thanks to his efforts, however, Constantin was able to build a prosperous business whose goal is to maintain forests for the future. The excursion will include a tour of the forests and the castle, including a discussion about what it is like to return to the family seat after many years and start the work of a forester essentially from scratch. Was the state helpful during the transformation? Or did it rather complicate the process? We will be shown around Mr. Kinsky's property by his employees, and the owner will most likely also be present.
Preliminary schedule: Departure at 8 a.m. (to be confirmed). Travel time: approx. 2 hours. Departure from the CZU campus, return to the CZU campus at approx. 4 p.m. Price: 50 EUR. The fee includes the bus transportation, refreshments and lunch.
2) Suburban forests - Městské lesy Hradec Králové a.s. (https://www.mestske-lesy.cz/), 15/5/2026
This company is an independently managed commercial enterprise wholly owned by the Statutory City of Hradec Králové. It manages the city's forest and pond assets in a sustainable manner, operates a gravel pit, a campsite adjacent to the forest with a natural swimming area, a shelter for stray dogs and cats, and is also involved in other activities. The forest owner's task is to develop the forest's recreational services more intensively without restricting timber harvesting and other forest ecosystem services. The company covers most of the costs associated with the forest's recreational services from its own resources, pays rent to the forest owner, and generates profit. The excursion will focus on examples of activities and projects that support selected forest ecosystem services related to suburban recreation, and issues related to the development of these ecosystem services will be discussed with the forest enterprise management. The excursion will include a 5 km walk through the forest and the forest enterprise's operations.
Preliminary schedule: Departure at 8 a.m. (to be confirmed). Travel time: approx. 2 hours. Departure from the CZU campus, return to the CZU campus at approx. 4 p.m. Price: 50 EUR. The fee includes the bus transportation and light refreshments.
3) Křivoklátsko Forestry Park (http://www.lpkrivoklatsko.cz/summary.html), 15/5/2026
Křivoklátsko is currently a protected landscape area. However, the Ministry of the Environment has long been pushing for a higher level of protection with the aim of declaring Křivoklátsko a national park, while residents prefer the existing protection provided by the protected landscape area. Various interest groups (the ministry, scientists, municipalities, foresters, the public) are involved in the "dispute" over the level of protection for the site in question. In 2010, the founders of Colloredo-Mannsfeld spol. s.r.o., the Czech Forestry Society, primary branch Křivoklát and Forests of the Czech Republic, state-owned company established the Křivoklátsko Forestry Park as a model of sustainable and nature-friendly management. During the excursion, we will visit the Křivoklátsko Forestry Park, present the activities of Křivoklátsko Forestry Park, and discuss the (non)declaration of the Křivoklátsko National Park with representatives of the Křivoklátsko Forestry Park (public benefit corporation).
Preliminary schedule: Departure at 9 a.m. (to be confirmed). Travel time: approx. 60 to 80 minutes, depending on traffic. Departure from the CZU campus, return to the CZU campus at approx. 3 p.m. Price: 50 EUR. The fee includes the bus transportation and light refreshments.
4) Krkonoše National Park (2days visit)
As part of IFPM6, we also offer one overnight excursion. This is an excursion to the oldest Czech national park - the Krkonoše National Park. The park is in the northeast of the Czech Republic, directly adjacent to Poland and is home to the highest mountain in the Czech Republic, Sněžka (1,603 m above sea level). This is an area that has been inhabited by both the German population and Czech since time immemorial (the former Sudetenland region) and, despite its inhospitable alpine environment, has always been farmed by foresters and farmers. At the same time, it offers diverse biodiversity and landscape elements that deserve protection. The area is also very popular with tourists, both in winter and summer. The excursion will include an overnight stay in the national park (close to the town of Pec pod Sněžkou) and a discussion with representatives of the National Park Administration, as well as representatives of businessmen and politicians who are affected by the conflicts in the Krkonoše Mountains daily.
Preliminary schedule: Departure in the late afternoon on Thursday (14/5). Travel time: approx. 2,5-3 hours. Departure from the CZU campus, return to the CZU campus during Friday evening. Price: 170 EUR. The fee includes the bus transportation and accommodation with breakfast. The price does not include dinner and lunch.
5) Royal Game Reserve Stromovka, Prague (https://lesypraha.cz/misto/kralovska-obora-stromovka/) 15/5/2026
The Royal Game Reserve (commonly known as Stromovka) is one of Pragueo’s largest, most significant, and most visited parks. Originally established as a game reserve, it was transformed into a public park in the 19th century and officially opened to the public in 1804. Covering an area of over 90 hectares, Stromovka features a diverse landscape of meadows, tree stands, and paved pathways, offering extensive opportunities for recreation. A prominent feature of the park is a system of ponds, surrounded by wetland alder forests and willow shrub communities. The park also contains a rich variety of tree groupings and avenues, composed of both native and non-native species. Since 1988, Stromovka has been designated a protected natural monument. The presence of mature and habitat trees supports a wide range of biodiversity, providing important refuges for invertebrates, birds, bats, and other urban wildlife. We will have a guided tour of key landscape features and management zones, talk about urban arboriculture and green space management.
Preliminary schedule: Start around 9 a.m. from the meeting point near to the entrance to the park followed by a guided tour, finishing around lunch time. Possibility for individual walk/sightseeing in the Prague centre after this excursion. Price: for free. Individual transport to the meeting point.
Questions?
"For questions, please contact ifpm6@fld.czu.cz or contact any member of the organizing committee.
Call for Applications – IFPM6 PhD School on Forest Policy and Governance
Zvolen, Slovakia, 5–10 May 2026 Linked with the 6th International Forest Policy Meeting (IFPM6), Prague, 12–15 May 2026
Aim
The IFPM6 PhD School on Forest Policy and Governance offers an intensive training and networking opportunity for PhD students working in the fields of forest policy, governance, and related disciplines. The programme will strengthen research skills, enhance publishing capacity, and provide a unique space to exchange ideas with peers and leading experts.
Costs for accommodation and meals will be covered by organizer.
Programme Highlights
- Presentation and Review of PhD Projects – participants present their research and receive structured feedback from peers and experts.
- Publication Workshop – strategies for publishing in high-impact forestry and environmental journals, including responding to reviewers.
- Networking and Collaboration – building connections across institutions and countries for future research.
- Field Excursions – visits to innovative forest policy projects around Zvolen.
- Special Opportunity – the best students will present their work in a dedicated PhD Section at IFPM6, Prague.
Eligibility
- Current PhD students in forest policy, governance, natural resource management, or related social sciences.
- Good command of English.
Number of Participants Maximum 15 selected candidates.
Selection Criteria
- Scientific quality and relevance of the PhD project.
- Motivation to participate and potential to contribute to discussions.
- Geographical and institutional diversity.
Application Documents
- Short CV (max. 2 pages)
- Abstract of the PhD project (max. 500 words)
- Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
- List of publications or conference presentations
Deadline for Applications 15 February 2026 Notification of Acceptance 15 March 2026
How to Apply Send all documents in a single PDF file to: salka@tuzvo.sk with the subject line: Application – IFPM6 PhD School 2026