CoLAB ForestWISE celebrated its sixth anniversary last Friday with an initiative aimed at showcasing the best work being done in Portugal in the domains of forests and fire.
The CoLAB ForestWISE Open Day took place at the headquarters of the CoLAB, on the Campus of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, gathering the main players in the fields of forest and fire, including universities, companies, public entities, associations, interface centers, and other strategic partners, both national and international.
During this initiative, which was attended by the Secretary of State for the Economy, João Rui Ferreira, participants had the opportunity to explore various interactive thematic stations where the CoLAB team presented their projects in response to the main challenges in forestry and fire management. Topics covered included forest valorization and digitization, fire defense strategies, bioeconomy, and training and capacity building, all in line with the CoLAB’s main focus areas.
“I congratulate the entire CoLAB ForestWISE team for the remarkable work they have been doing for the forest, the economy, and the sustainable development of our country. The forest sector is truly transformative, with significant social and financial impacts. Over these six years, CoLAB ForestWISE has played a fundamental role in promoting research, innovation, and the integrated management of forests and fire. With this approach, based on knowledge and the creation of added value, we are preparing the country to face future challenges and consolidate our position in an increasingly sustainable economy,” said Secretary of State João Rui Ferreira during the event’s opening.
Carlos Fonseca, CTO of CoLAB ForestWISE, emphasized at the event the strategic importance of the work developed by the Collaborative Laboratory:
“Over these six years, CoLAB ForestWISE has established itself as a reference in innovation and the creation of technological solutions that contribute to enhancing sustainable forest management in Portugal, boosting the competitiveness of the Portuguese forestry sector, and reducing the negative impacts of large rural fires. We remain committed to contributing to a more sustainable and economically attractive forest, during a challenging time for the national rural landscape and the country.”
Miguel Silveira, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CoLAB ForestWISE and Executive Director of Altri Florestal, reinforced the importance of collaboration for the sector’s future, stating, “CoLAB ForestWISE is an excellent example of how cooperation between different actors in society, namely companies, public entities, and universities, can be a differentiating and transformative factor for integrated forest and fire management.”
Celebrating six years of existence on September 29th, CoLAB ForestWISE has 16 associates from various fields, including companies and industries (Altri Florestal, Amorim Florestal, E-REDES, DS Smith Paper Viana, REN, Sonae Arauco, and The Navigator Company), universities (INESC TEC, Instituto Superior de Agronomia – University of Lisbon, Universities of Aveiro, Coimbra, Évora, and Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro), and public entities (Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires – AGIF, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research – INIAV, and the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere – IPMA). Its activities are based on a strategic agenda aimed at addressing the national priorities and needs of the forestry and fire domains in Portugal. To this end, it has a multidisciplinary team of almost 50 people, allowing it to act in an integrated manner, promoting innovative and technological solutions that benefit the forestry sector and society.
