Everyone knows
And yet!
Cédric FICHT, director of the ONF agency in Schirmeck, tells us more.
The ONF, formerly the "water and forest administration", was created in 1966 and now operates as an EPIC (public industrial and commercial establishment). It is placed under the dual guardianship du ministry in charge of theAgriculture and ministry responsible for the Environment.
Did you know?
The Schirmeck territorial agency employs 80 people and brings together more than thirty trades (not just lumberjacks) ..., its scope of action extends well beyond the Bruche valley, that is to say a Saverne-Strasbourg axis over the entire southern half of Bas-Rhin, it manages more than 63 ha of state forests and community forests.
« A forest does not need man to grow but needs the forest and to meet these needs it is better that it is managed ».
Indeed, one of the ONF's missions is to supply sawmills while respecting the natural growth of forests, but its field of activity is much broader and more diversified than one might think. Here is everything you need to know about often overlooked aspects of forest management.
Missions
Virtuous organization of events in the forest
The ONF ensures that events organized in the forest (mainly sporting) will not harm the fauna and flora and participates in environmental awareness campaigns.
Monitoring of forest areas
The ONF carries out a police mission. It identifies and issues fines for offences such as dumping rubbish, abandoning waste, fires, noise pollution, damage to roads by motor vehicles, damage to fauna, flora or soil.
Protection of biodiversity
The ONF ensures the preservation of biological reserves and natural habitats: stubble and peat bogs of the Champ du Feu or ridges of the Donon massif. How? By limiting felling, interrupting forestry work during bird nesting periods, installing deadwood islands, restoring wetlands. Peat bogs are formidable carbon traps.
A space for escape and rejuvenation
The ONF manages the compatibility of different uses of the forest, the safety of forest roads, and public awareness of good practices. Do you know the brochure " I act for the forest - The walker's charter » ? That's the basics. It's available in paper form at the tourist office.
Wood energy is considered a renewable material. Contrary to popular belief, it is not exported to third countries but mainly supplies sawmills located within a 50km radius.
Is the Bruche Valley forest healthy?
Overall yes, mainly thanks to the regular rainfall this year. However, the repeated droughts of the last 4 years have damaged it and have particularly weakened the spruces, beeches, firs and Scots pines.
Global warming is accelerating faster than expected, questions the need in the coming decades to introduce a mix of species more resistant to temperature increases such as oak, lime, or even more "southern" species...
Constant developments
Can you imagine a stand of oaks at Donon? Unthinkable 15 years ago, this species is now used in plantations in this national forest...
In short, what does it mean to practice a sustainable management from the forest? It is about ensuring that the forest does not lose its quality or volume, is healthy and sustainable and continues to provide the services that society expects of it. The forest is undergoing today profound changes, the ONF is, in this capacity, the “guardian” of the forest of tomorrow.
