Dear IEFC network members,

During 2025, forests have faced major disturbances, increases in the number of events, and their severity, variety, and geographic distribution across the Atlantic Arc of Europe. 2025 ranks as the fourth worst year since 2001 in terms of burnt area in Portugal, the worse ever in Spain, and the year that marks the arrival of the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) in French forests. IEFC has been attentive to the growing threats that planted forests are facing. IEFC has also been active in contributing to the production and dissemination of knowledge as a partner in research projects such as FIRE-RES tacking the management of extreme forest fires or HOMED and FORSAID focusing on the development of practical solutions for the management of emerging native and non-native biotic threats, including the use of innovative digital technologies for their early detection.

The IEFC network has been providing a continuous flow of information on these topics since 2002. As a conclusion of the 2025 General Assembly that took place in the Basque Country, the IEFC, with the support of the regions, will launch a webpage entitled “Planted forests health observatory” to gather information on forest major biotic threats, starting with pine wood nematode and needle blight blast which affect pine plantations. This website will contain scientific results, legal declarations, and links to other websites with useful information. The importance of the nematode threat led to the choice of health as the opening theme for the 1^st 2026 webinar “Let’s Talk About Planted Forests,” which will be dedicated to the appearance of Bursaphelencus in Aquitaine. The threats forests are facing are not restricted to borders, making the development of cross-border forest management and networking opportunities essential. We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to attend the next General Meeting to be held in Le Mans France (1 hour from Paris by train) on June 30 2026, and contribute to the appointment of the new Management Board. This will be a unique opportunity to share your knowledge on plantations and existing plantation trials established to anticipate global change impacts on planted forests. Register now and propose topics for our open session.

Wishing you a Great 2026!

Susana Barreiro, President of IEFC and Ander Arias Gonzalez, Secretary of IEFC