
PROTECTION OF FORESTS
One third of Norway`s area is covered by forest. Of this area approximately one half is counted as productive forest. Less than one percent of the productive
area is protected to date, but this percentage will increase to within a few years. However, the small percentage of virgin forests is a severe threat to a huge
amount of species which depend on this type of forest. 50 percent of species listed in the Norwegian Red List of Threatened and Vulnerable species belongs to
the forest habitat.

Skibotns Valley Lappland, Norway
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Conservation of forest is therefore a major task for WWF Norway, and the organisation is a major force in the process of making forestry more sustainable. WWF
Norway shares the goals and targets of WWF`s Forest for Life Campaign, such as better protection of virgin forests and indepenent certification. WWF Norway
offer surveys for forest owners,e.g. surveys of biological values, key-habitats, and courses in forest ecology to improve forestry management.
WWF is the leading environmental organisation with regard to promotion of sustainable forestry in Norway. Our strategy involves surveys and protection of areas,
habitats and threatened species and sustainable management of forests. This also involves lobby-work to improve the insufficient forest legislation we have
today, and constructive input to develop standards for sustainable forestry. WWF Norway is actively involved in the process to establish a Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC) in Norway, which means certification of timber from sustainably managed forests.
WWF has also established a Forest Fund to secure important forest areas which are too small too be protected by national means - and too big to be protected by
the forest owner. So far WWF has secured one area of old virigin forest for the next 100 years, and more areas will hopefully follow.
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