FORESTS IN CZECH REPUBLIC,    FORESTS IN EUROPE

Restitution of Church property has not been completed yet  (6.5  %)

State forests:  60 %
Private forests: 23 %
Municipalities: 17 %

Forests of the Czech Republic, State Enterprise (LCR, s. p.) manages most of the state forests (51% of the whole). LCR s.p., in accordance with decision of the Czech Government, intend to realize all forestry activities (cutting, planting, silviculture, road maintenance, ... ) on long term contract basis with big forestry entrepreneurs only (total outsourcing) in this time.
The important non-state forest owners have established a voluntary professional organisation - the Association of Municipal and Private Forest Owners in the Czech Republic (SVOL) just after restitution law approval. This is very important and respected partner of Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and other partners in development of forestry policy documents in the Czech Republic. SVOL organises expert seminars for its members and excursion, disseminates regularly expert forest information and organize common wood-sale.
According the Forest Act (289/1995 Coll.) all Czech forests are commonly accessible (everybody have the right to enter into the forest, namely at one's own risk); although limitations can involve some sensitive areas, like forest nurseries, game enclosures, research areas, habitation sites of animals, water springs and of course forested specially protected areas (SPAs). Limitation can be also periodic (e.g. in the time of long-term drought due to possibility of fire, in the time of forest operations etc.).
To have Forest management plan (FMP) is an obligation for all forest owners with forest property over 50 ha. Small forest owners can receive Forest management guidelines free of charge, on other way they manage in accordance with the Forest Act. FMP is of a service on a forest owner, it is an instruction what it is necessary to carry out in which stand (afforestation, tending, felling) – it is elaborated for the 10 years period.