The portal forest.lt is a communication chanel of 

F O R  E S T    O W N E R S    A S S O C I A T I O N    O F    L I T H U A N I A  (FOAL), the national organization representing interest of family forest owners.

FOAL MISSION - to unite Lithuanian private forest owner and private forestry organizations into a self-sufficient association, which represents members of the association and protects their legitimate interest

The Forest Owners Association of Lithuania (FOAL) was established in 1993, as demand for knowledge in forestry was increasing and a growing community of forest owners with increasingly common purposes emerged. The creation of a strong and independent private forestry movement in Lithuania, based on shared values, has been a major goal of FOAL since its creation.

After post-soviet restitution of land ownership rights, farming in private forests has become an important element of rural and regional development and employment in Lithuania. Forests are managed not only by professional foresters, but people, who have received the property after restitution or have purchased it. Such a diversity of forest owners calls for an organization that can offer qualified consultations carried out by forestry specialists, offer up-to-date information on private forestry issues and provide strong representation in matters affecting the interests of private forest owners.

FOAL represents the interests of family forest owners at the national and international levels, and after more than 20 years of activity has grown into a social organization, uniting over 6500 members. Accepted as a member of the Confederation of European Forester Owners (CEPF), European Landowners Organization (ELO), International Family Forestry Alliance (IFFA), and supported by Danish, Swedish and other organizations, FOAL unifies private forest owners. As a member of the Chamber of Agriculture of The Republic of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Association of Impartial Timber Measuring Professionals, and a participant in the round-table of Forest Owners’ Associations‘ of the Baltic Sea Countries, FOAL is well placed in the forestry sector. A partnership with the Lithuanian Agriculture Advisory Service, Lithuanian Biomass Energy Association „Litbioma“, The Lithuanian District Heating Association is currently being developed and a cooperation agreement with the Association of Wood Working Industries „Lietuvos mediena” is in effect.

FOAL is actively engaged in the private forest policymaking process with The Parliament, The Government, The Ministry of Environment, which is responsible for implementation of forest policy in Lithuania, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and National Paying Agency, which administers European Union support for rural development.

To contact FOAL: Ph./ fax.: +370 5 2767590, e-mail: info@forest.lt