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New Technical Seminar: Innovation and Forest Health in Vega de Espinareda

Next Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the PLANFORLAB Task Force is organizing the technical seminar “Innovation, Forest Health, and Adaptive Management in the Region,” which will take place in the auditorium of the Vega de Espinareda Town Hall (León).

The PLANFORLAB project aims to establish a network of laboratory forests by using improved plant material to enhance resilience and productivity in coniferous forests. The purpose of this technical seminar is to present the project’s progress and analyze the current phytosanitary situation within the framework of adaptive land management. Through expert presentations and a panel discussion, participants will discuss the challenges facing the sector before taking a field trip to the local experimental forest. The event thus promotes the transfer of innovation among government agencies, universities, and forest owners to ensure the future of these forests.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM:

    • 9:30 AM – Registration of attendees.
    • 10:00 AM. – Official opening ceremony with representatives from the Regional Government of Castile and León, the Neighborhood Council, and FAFCYLE.
    • 10:20 AM – Presentation of the PLANFORLAB project by Francisco Dans (Galician Forestry Association).
    • 11:00 AM – Analysis of the forestry and phytosanitary situation in the conifers of Castilla y León.
    • 12:00 PM – Round table: Challenges and opportunities, with the participation of experts from the University of Valladolid, University of León, CESEFOR, COSE, AFG, and FAFCYLE.
    • 3:00 PM – Field visit to the laboratory forest of Vega de Espinareda.

You can consult the full program here:

KEY SEMINAR INFORMATION:

Attendance requires prior registration via the following link: Link to REGISTRATION.

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PLANFORLAB Technical Seminar Summary

The PLANFORLAB Technical Seminar recently brought together professionals, researchers, and forestry technicians in a technical seminar focused on innovation applied to coniferous forest management. The meeting was part of the project’s development, which promotes the creation of a network of laboratory forests in different regions.

During the session, the project’s progress and the technical approach of the laboratory forests were presented, conceived as real spaces for experimentation and validation of new silvicultural practices. These environments will allow testing solutions to some of the main health and productivity challenges affecting pine forests.

One of the central themes of the seminar was the analysis of strategies to combat brown band disease, one of the diseases generating the greatest impact in certain forest areas. In this context, different lines of work were presented that combine genetic improvement, forest material selection, adaptive management, and technical field monitoring.

The session facilitated knowledge exchange among participating entities and highlighted the value of collaboration between research centers, forestry organizations, and sector stakeholders. This joint approach is key to bringing innovation to the field and strengthening forest resilience against climate change and health threats.

The seminar concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the involved entities to developing technical solutions based on experimentation and scientific knowledge, thus consolidating the next steps of the PLANFORLAB project.

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PLANFORLAB Technical Seminar: The Future of Pine Forests in Spain

The forestry sector is preparing for a strategic event. On February 5th, the PLANFORLAB Operational Group is organizing a technical seminar to analyze the current state of pine forests in Spain and define the key scientific factors that will determine their improvement and resilience.

This meeting was created with a clear objective: to connect technical knowledge with the real needs of the forest, offering solutions to the challenges facing our woodlands. During the session, the project’s progress and the technical approach to the laboratory forests will be presented. These forests are conceived as real-world spaces for experimenting with and validating new silvicultural practices. These environments will allow for testing solutions to some of the main health and productivity challenges affecting pine forests.

Below you can find the program for the day:

KEY INFORMATION OF THE DAY:

    • Date: February 5th.
    • Location: Sede de INIA-MITECO, Sala Javier Palacios.
    • Address: Carretera de La Coruña, km 7,5. Madrid

    • Attendee profile: Professionals from the forestry sector, companies, public administrations, universities, research centers and anyone interested in the health of our forests

You can now reserve your place through the following link: PLANFORLAB Technical Seminar Registration

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PLANFORLAB Webinar: innovation to improve the health and productivity of coniferous forests

PLANFORLAB is an Operational Group for innovation whose objective is to improve the health and productivity of coniferous forests through the application of improved forest reproductive material and adaptive silviculture strategies, all through a forest laboratory approach.

In this webinar, representatives of the Operational Group present the context and motivation of the project, as well as its objectives, main activities, and preliminary results, highlighting the collaboration between the forestry sector, research, and applied innovation.

The session is aimed at silviculturists, nurserymen, and forest managers, as well as companies in the forestry and bioeconomy sectors, research centers, universities, and technology platforms, public administrations, agroforestry innovation projects and networks, and the general public interested in the future of forests.

▶️You can watch the full webinar at this link: PLANFORLAB Operational Group Presentation Webinar – YouTube

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PLANFORLAB shares results and progress during a technical visit to the Basque Country

The PLANFORLAB Operational Group continues to make steady progress in its forestry research and improvement work.

Last week, our colleagues Amelia Uria, from the Confederation of Foresters of the Basque Country | Euskadiko Basogintza Elkarteen Konfederakundea, and Eugenia Iturritxa, from NEIKER BRTA, welcomed representatives from various forestry-related organizations to the Basque Country. During the visit, they had the opportunity to showcase firsthand the progress achieved in the region and explain how these results integrate into the project’s overall objectives.

This meeting served as a valuable space for exchanging knowledge and experiences, strengthening collaboration between regions and fostering a shared vision for the sustainable development of the forestry sector.

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PLANFORLAB participates in the Piñeiros 2025 conference to promote innovation and the prevention of forest diseases

The PLANFORLAB Operational Group continues to advance its forestry research and innovation work, actively participating in the sector’s main forums. Yesterday, project representatives attended the Piñeiros 2025 conference, organized by the Arume Foundation, a gathering that brought together specialists from Galicia, Chile, and Uruguay to address the challenges and advances in the prevention and control of forest diseases. The event established itself as a space for knowledge and experience exchange, addressing the main challenges facing pine ecosystems and the lines of work in forest health. One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation by Alfredo Fernández Ríos, director of XERA – Galician Forestry Industry Agency, who in his closing remarks emphasized the importance of innovation, collaboration, and support for the entire forestry sector value chain as key elements for facing the future. PLANFORLAB values participation in this type of initiative very positively, as they contribute to strengthening cooperation between organizations and promoting innovative solutions for sustainable forest management. “Thanks to all participants for such an enriching conference,” the operational group expressed at the conclusion of the event.
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PLANFORLAB brings forest science closer to young people in Albiztur

The PLANFORLAB Operational Group recently took part in a very special day with students from the Albiztur school. During the visit, Amelia Uria, representative of the Confederation of Foresters of the Basque Country | Euskadiko Basogintza Elkarteen Konfederakundea, led an educational workshop in which she explained to the students what a forest laboratory is and why these spaces are essential for understanding, caring for, and improving the health of our forests. No alternative description is available for this image This town in Gipuzkoa is home to one of the forest laboratories that are part of the PLANFORLAB project, a network focused on research and the use of improved plant material with the aim of increasing the resilience and productivity of conifer forests. The children’s engagement and curiosity were especially inspiring. Seeing how they connect with nature with such interest reminds us that the future of our forests is in good hands.  
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PLANFORLAB participates in the event “Innovating to Protect: Knowledge, Territory, and Business” of the FIREPOCTEP+ project

On September 23rd, the PLANFORLAB Operational Group attended the event “Innovating to Protect: Knowledge, Territory, and Business”, organized by the FIREPOCTEP+ project, an initiative co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the framework of the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal (POCTEP) 2021–2027 Programme.

This event brought together institutional representatives, researchers, companies, and society, to discuss how innovation and cross-border cooperation can transform territorial management in the face of climate change and forest fires.

PLANFORLAB’s presence at this event reinforces its commitment to innovation and forest sustainability, sharing information on its advances in the creation of laboratory forests as spaces for experimentation and knowledge transfer. Through this participation, the operational group joins other European initiatives that advocate for more resilient, collaborative, and climate change-adapted forest management, promoting solutions that combine science, technology, and territory to protect the forest ecosystems of Spain and Portugal.

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Castilla y León inaugurates its first laboratory forest in Vega de Espinareda

The PLANFORLAB Operational Group has taken a new step with a visit to the first laboratory forest in the Castilla y León community, located in Vega de Espinareda, in the province of León.

Throughout the day, technicians, partners, and project managers were able to tour the experimental plots to define the first field actions aimed at the prevention and control of forest pests and diseases, one of the great challenges for sustainable forest management.

This laboratory forest covers 25 hectares, and some of its plots will be fenced off for silvicultural demonstration and experimentation, where soil analysis, pest monitoring, and innovative forest management techniques will be applied.

In this way, this space stands as a reference center for the training of silviculturists and for the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge, as well as for monitoring the effects of climate change on pine forests.

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PLANFORLAB participates in the 9th Spanish Forestry Congress

The Spanish Forestry Congress (CFE) is the most important event in the forestry sector in Spain. This event brings together researchers, technicians, landowners, and forestry management professionals for a week to share scientific advances, experiences, and discuss the future of our forests.

In this context, PLANFORLAB was represented by Francisco Dans Del Valle (AFG), Raquel Díaz Vázquez (CIF Lourizán), Francisco J. Lario Leza (TRAGSA), and Julio Ruiz Cagigal (AFG).

During the presentation session, the importance of creating a network of laboratory forests in different regions of Spain was highlighted, where improved genetic materials of three key conifer species are currently being tested: Pinus pinaster, Pinus radiata, and Pinus sylvestris.
The goal is to increase the resilience and productivity of coniferous forests, promoting innovation and knowledge transfer between researchers and industry professionals.

Participation in the 9th Spanish Forestry Congress was a unique opportunity to share experiences and knowledge on sustainable forest management. From PLANFORLAB, we thank and congratulate the organizers for the successful participation and for creating a relevant dialogue space for the sector.

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