Photo by:
K. Miłkowski
Forests provide multiple direct and indirect benefits to people and the planet
EFI explores how forests help improve physical, mental, and social health, foster social inclusion, and offer spaces for recreation, education, and cultural practices. We study how forests provide essential ecosystem services to rural and urban communities, and how we can support them to continue to do so.
What are ecosystem services?
Ecosystem services refer to the benefits humans derive over time from natural or near-natural systems and processes.
- Forests and people
What are non-wood forest products?
Non-wood forest products include berries, mushrooms, medicinal and decorative plants, nuts, resins, game, and wild honey.
- Forests and people
Know your plot: the importance of geolocation for farmers
Why farmers should know the exact geolocation of their plots, and how this data can be collected.
- Forests and people
Publications
Geolocating plots of land
A guide for cooperatives and other actors on supporting the collection of geolocation information of farmers – covering why, how, and data ownership.
- Forests and people
Overview of some commonly used mobile apps for collecting geolocation information
An overview of key features, accessibility and usability of six commonly used free tools for collecting plot-level geolocation information.
- Forests and people
Farmer-managed natural regeneration: Helping trees regrow naturally on your land
This infographic outlines the steps farmers can take to help naturally regrowing trees on their lands to survive and thrive.
- Forests and people
Perceived naturalness and wellbeing
The findings indicate that higher perceived naturalness is associated with higher psychological wellbeing.
- Forests and people
News and blogs
Meet the future leaders of forest innovation: YLP 2026 participants
Young professionals worldwide gather in Joensuu, Finland, to explore futures thinking, innovation and the forest bioeconomy.
- Forests and people
What takes a new landowner from inaction to stewardship? Economic incentives for wildfire risk management
Inherited land often goes unmanaged, spreading fire risk to whole communities; economic incentives can turn inaction into stewardship.
- Forests and people
Open post at our member organisation the University of Freiburg
Tenure Track Professorship in Silviculture and Climate Change Adaptation. Apply by 31 August 2026.
- Forests and people
Upcoming events
Voices of the Mediterranean Forests: Media Workshop on Forest Genetic Resources
A Mediterranean workshop uniting journalists and scientists to communicate forest genetic resources through storytelling.
30 November 2026 – 2 December 2026
- Forests and people
Projects on this theme
INTERCEDE
Incentivising future forest ecosystem services and incomes in Europe
- Sustainable economy
Urban Nature Plans+
UNPplus helps European cities develop Urban Nature Plans, integrating biodiversity and green infrastructure into urban policies.
- Forests and people
- Forests and people
- Forests and people
- Forests and people
Green4Care
Green4C is a three-year project innovating and promoting nature-based health and social care through university-business alliances.
- Forests and people
