On April 22 and 23, 2026, the International Women in Forestry Conference—titled „Women in Forestry: Connecting Across Borders and Generations“ and organized within the framework of the Interreg Danube Region project *Fem2forests* in cooperation with *Forstfrauen* and the international umbrella organization WOFO (Women in Forestry International)—brought together nearly 140 participants from 17 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Including those joining via livestream, a total of nearly 165 individuals representing 19 nations and four continents were in attendance.

The forestry sector faces major challenges: climate change, the biodiversity crisis, and a shortage of skilled professionals all demand new solutions. Diversity is recognized as the key to fostering innovation and sustainable solutions—and women constitute an indispensable part of this diversity.

The conference focused on: 

• Presentations of best practice examples and pilot projects that represent concrete steps toward equality and innovation in forestry
• Forward-looking dialogue aimed at further driving the transformative changes already set in motion
• Strengthening international networking and partnerships among women in forestry
  Celebrating achievements—milestones and shared successes
• Empowering women and the forestry sector as a whole by fostering diversity, equality, and leadership

The first day of the conference was dedicated—through expert presentations, discussions, and roundtables—to the themes that are fundamentally shaping the future of the forestry sector:

• Key challenges facing women in forestry
  Professional development and career paths for women in the forestry sector
• Mentoring as a tool for empowerment, networking, and knowledge transfer
• Encouraging young women to enter forestry professions
• Gender perspectives and the inclusive development of the forestry sector
• Strengthening international networks and collaboration

We were honored to welcome high-caliber speakers, including Andreas Steinegger, President of the Styrian Chamber of Agriculture; Daniela Kleinschmit, President of IUFRO; Christian Schnedl, Managing Director of Papierholz Austria; and Izabela Pigan, President of the Polish Association of Women in Forestry.
Members of the Fem2forests project consortium—led by Project Manager Nike Krajnc from the Slovenian Forestry Institute—presented project results that represent key milestones for the future.
Furthermore, women in forestry from (almost) every corner of the globe actively contributed to the discussions, presentations, and roundtables. A „marketplace“ featuring a poster exhibition provided participants with an additional opportunity to learn about various initiatives, projects, and associations.

On the second day of the conference, three different field excursions took us to exemplary enterprises within Styria’s forestry and timber industry. Not least, they impressively demonstrated the roles women occupy in this sector—as skilled professionals, forest owners, managers, and leaders. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Polz family of ehp Frauental; Thomas Bierbacher of Hasslacher Preding Holzindustrie; Marina Kain and the guides from Sappi Austria; Robert Krainer of the Prinz DI Alfred Liechtenstein Forestry Directorate; Andrea Kager-Schwar and Robert Posch of the Seggau Episcopal Estate Administration; and the Siegl family of the Almhof Forestry Estate.

The central message of the conference:
The future of forestry is inclusive and cooperative. The challenges of our time can only be overcome through diversity, collaboration, and shared knowledge. Projects such as Fem2Forests provide vital impetus for sustainable change. Women play a decisive role—as skilled professionals, leaders, researchers, forest owners, and role models.