The project includes:

·         2 Polish-German meetings on the premises of Przytok Forest Authority and State Forest Regional Authority in Zielona Góra

·         furnishing the German participants with information on Przytok Forest Authority by translating the authority's website on the Leśny Portal Korporacyjny

·         provision of information about the German partner and the project conducted in Polish and German language versions on the authority's website

·         publishing a Polish-German photo book on Przytok Forest Authority presenting history, and natural and cultural strengths of the area in its administration, together with information on the Polish-German forest meetings, and the City of Zittau Forest Authority (the German partner) including the preferences, comments, and expectations of the German participants collected during the first meeting. The publication will be designed for free delivery to project participants, and also to schools and libraries operating within the area, units of territorial self-government, selected Polish State Forests units, forest-related institutions in Germany, Euroregions, and other institutional and individual stakeholders.

Implementation of the project will have a positive bearing on Polish-German relations and promotion of forests, and the shaping of environmental awareness of the community.

Characteristics of Zittau city forests and the forest economy of the City of Zittau

The City of Zittau owns 4250 ha of forests. It purchased the first forest already in the 14th century. The municipal forest is situated from 210m asl (Neisse Valley) to 793m asl (Lausche, a peak in the Lusatian Mountains , in the Western Sudety Mountains). A large share of the forest of the City of Zittau is situated in the Zittau Mountains. The whole area belongs to the Zittau Mountains landscape park. A major role in the forested areas in the city ofZittau is played by protected areas – the Habitat Directive (conservation of flora, fauna, habitats – FFH), areas of special bird protection, nature reserves, and areas of protected landscape. Moreover, the forest serves the protection of soil and pottable water. As the area is a highly attractive leisure destination, the number of visitors and holiday makers is on the rise. Hence forest management is always conducted with a view to provide proper conditions for leisure.

Zittau forests consist of the following tree species:

·         - spruce 58% - oak 3%,

·         - pine 15% - beech 5%,

·         - larch 12% - birch 6%,

·         - sycamore 1%.

Total:

CONIFER: 85%, DECIDUOUS: 15%.

Soils: sandstone – weathered soils of granite base, and partially  weathered phonolite and basalt soils

Standing timber age classes:

·         1; 1–20 years: 296 ha, i.e. 7.3%.

·         2; 21–40 years: 626 ha, i.e. 15.5%.

·         3; 41–60 years: 739 ha, i.e. 18.3%.

·         4; 61–80 years: 945 ha, i.e. 23.4%.

·         5; 81–100 years: 966 ha, i.e. 23.9%.

·         6; 101–120 years: 327 ha, i.e. 8.1%.

·         7; 121–140 years: 59 ha, i.e. 1.5%.

·         8-10; 141–200 years: 81 ha, i.e. 2.0%.

Available timber (standing): 262cu.m/ha

Growth: 9.0cu.m/age*ha

Production capacity: 8.9

Consumption: 18,500cu.m/age*ha

Non-felling use: 66%

Felling use: 34%.

The city restarted forest management in 2009.

Forest management is in the hands of the following personnel:

·         manager (1)

·         forester (2)

·         accountant (0.5)

·         forest workers (5).

The annual revenue from business activity amounts approximately to €1 million, with €0.9 million costs. Private service companies play a major role in forest economy. They are responsible for approximately 90% of acquisition of timber, at the same time working on planting and young woods husbandry. Approximately 50% of timber can be machine harvested and forwarded.