In 2025” The theme of the day was forests and foodTo honor the fundamental role that forests plays for food security, nutrition and resources of existence. In addition to offering food, fuel, income and employment, forests are preferred by soil fertility, they protect water stocks and offer habitats for biodiversity, also vital pollinators.
They are essential for the survival of communities that depend on forests, in particular on indigenous peoples, and contribute to the softening of climate change that stores carbon.
Another year the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge ((Miteco) joined the celebration of International Forest Day 2025proclaimed in November 2012 by the General Meeting of the United NationsTo celebrate and increase awareness about the importance of all types of forests that exist on our planet.
This year the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, chosen for the motto “Forests and Food”emphasize the importance of forests in food security, nutrition and means of existence. More than five billion people worldwide depend on non -timber angry products to obtain essential food, medicines and resources.
In addition, forests play a fundamental role in the balance sheet of agricultural ecosystems, the regulation of water, maintaining soil fertility and protecting pollinators, essential factors for food production.
The vice president and minister of the Ecological transition and demographic challenge” Sara Aagesenemphasized the importance of International forest daypointing that this celebration under the motto Forests and food Recognize “The fundamental role played by forests in food security«.
He also remembered that forests «A valuable source of forest biomass, generates food, income and employment, in addition to favoring soil fertility, protecting water resources and offering essential habitats for biodiversity«, Important aspects in mitigating climate change.
The ministry has the celebration of International Forest Day 2025 Held in one day in Soria on 20 and 21 March, in collaboration the board of Castilla Y León, the Stad Soria and the Platform Together for the Forests.
In her speech, the general manager of Biodiversity, forests and desert formationMaría Jesús Rodríguez de Sancho, emphasized that Spain, because of his climatic and ecological diversity, houses a large potential in non -wood forest products.
Spain is one of the countries with the greatest mycological wealth in Europe
With more than three thousand eight hundred species identified wild fungi. Moreover, it leads the world production of black truffle, with a production concentrated in Castilla y León, together with Aragon and Catalonia, and is expanding to other regions.
These products represent a high ecological value and offer an opportunity for economic revitalization in areas affected by depopulation and demographic challenge, whereby its sustainable use can contribute to generating employment, legal population and diversifying the local economy.
For the elaboration of forest policy and preservation of biodiversity, it is essential to have a quality information system, such as the example of the National Forest InventoryEmblematic project of Spanish forest statistics, to which the 60th birthday is met in 2025, provides information about forest formations and the resources they offer.
Thanks to this work, we know the growing evolution of the forest area and that more than half of the Spanish territory is forest area, 38 % are wooded. This year they ended the fieldwork of the fourth cycle of the inventory, with the elimination of the last plot in the pinsapar of the Sierra de las Nieves (Ronda, Málaga).
The sustainable management of forests, the impulse of bio -economy and preservation of biodiversity requires fixed involvement and concrete actions. Forestry strategies and state programs offer a solid framework for the resources of the mountain being too sustainable, which emphasizes its role in food security, rural economy and the resilience against climate change.
Spanish forest strategy Horizon 2050 (EFE)
In this line, the Spanish forest strategy Horizon 2050 (EFE) It strengthens the multifunctional vision of the mountains, and acknowledges the value of non -wood forest products as a sustainable economic alternative, in addition to being an important tool for the preservation and adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change.
To achieve these objectives, the Spanish forest plan 2022-2032 (PFE) It is considering specific measures in its strategic axis of Bosbio -economy, aimed at strengthening non -wood forest products.
The improvement of statistics and training is prioritized, the promotion of commercialization through positioning strategies in national and international markets, the impetus of association and professionalization of the sector, as well as creating dialogue forums between producers, industry and administrations.
Tailored to the goals of these planning instruments, of the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desert FormingDifferent working lines are being developed in forest genetic resources, with the aim of strengthening the diversification and resilience of forest ecosystems.
In the field of truffle, the National Center for Forest genetic resources El Serranillo Since 2013, an experimental program to expand the harvest of truffles (Pijp Estivum and Knolborchii) outside of traditional areas with the aim of developing sustainable productive models in Mediterranean environments.
It also works on the preservation and genetic improvement of the pine bone (Pinus Pinea), through the selection and catalog of very Piñón producers and the agroforestry management of the species.
On the other hand, in collaboration with the Biodiversity FoundationTwo aid calls are managed, which together together to finance a total of 97 million euros to finance 70 -transforming projects in bio -economy, with the aim of promoting the sustainable use of forest sources, generating new economic opportunities in the rural environment and contributions to the transition to a more innovative, resilient and on -line productive model.
This has been possible The next generation of funds of the European Unionwho have offered a unique opportunity Bio -economy promoting From the ministry.
The general director has announced that new calls for help in the coming months with the European Regional Development Fund (Feder)intended to promote Initiatives linked to La BioeeconomíaIncluding the sustainable use of food products from Forestput. In total, 39 million euros will be managed for the impulse of innovative Bosbio -conomy -projects.