Currently, a forest equivalent in area to 35 football pitches is felled every 60 seconds. 60 animal and plant species die together with the felled forest every day. Two thirds of the world’s forest resources have been destroyed by human activity, and 94% of what still remains is not protected. Due to this, initiatives aimed at protection of forests are taken. One of them is forest certification scheme. The author explains the concept of forest certification, together with its underlying principles and systems, and also what Forest Stewardship Council and Chain of Custody Certification are.
National Forestry Commission has the organisational, legal land financial status that differs from its European counterparts. The public profile of woodland ownership in Poland differs from the structures prevailing in other EU countries. Under the banner of liberalisation, this is often presented as a drawback. And yet it is this structure that put Polish forests their present highly-envied position. The public status and financial independence facilitate a modern forestry which puts economic targets on the par with the environmental protection.