Women’s voices are not optional in forest management – they are essential for its future. By bringing women’s expertise into integrative forest management, we can unlock knowledge that better balances biodiversity, production, and social needs. When women are at the table, forest governance becomes more legitimate and democratic – reflecting the realities of all those who depend on and care for forests.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day in 2026, we want to feature the perspectives of women who actively shape the direction of our network through their work and leadership:
LENKA LEHNEROVÁ works at the Department of Dendrometry and Demonstration Objects at the Czech Forestry Institute. Here she focuses on tree measurement, growth analysis, and long-term research plots that support sustainable forest management and biodiversity integration. She’s been part of the Integrate Network since its beginning, where the Prague Declaration was signed.
“I particularly value the strong connection between practice and knowledge exchange”, she says. “The network does not remain at a theoretical level; it showcases concrete, practical examples that demonstrate how integration can work in real forest management.”
With its work on strengthening collaboration and a common European approach to integrative forest management, Lenka believes the network already supports and underpins positive shifts in thinking within the forestry sector.
VERA STEINBERG works as a policy advisor at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, Germany. Together with the Czech Republic, Germany has initiated the Integrate Network in 2016. Since then, Germany is part of the network’s Steering Committee, where Vera officially represents the member country.
According to Vera, the network holds an important role in disclosing how forest biodiversity can be strengthened within the framework of sustainable forest management, as it connects practitioners, forest owners, politicians, science and the public:
“For the next years, I wish for an even broader outreach to the public and different stakeholders. This would help to deepen the understanding of the multifunctionality of forests, but also the complex work a forester is doing.”
As discussions and conflicts over forest futures become more intense and emotional, Vera highlights why the network matters: “The network can help to understand different parts of the same questions – What are the right decisions for which purpose? How can I integrate the most aspects and still make money with my forest? What are the trade-offs? I believe the collaboration approach of Integrate, “coming together, discuss and find a solution” can make a real difference.”
MARTA ÁLVAREZ MORENO works as an International Forest Policy Officer at Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, where she acts as the national focal point to the Integrate Network. Her role connects national forest policies with European cooperation frameworks, such as our network.
“Spain is strongly committed to forest biodiversity conservation”, she says. “With around 50% of our territory classified as forests and forest lands, this is a matter of fundamental importance. Being part of the Integrate Network allows us to exchange experiences, compare approaches and stay aligned with European developments in this field.”
According to Marta, the tools and awareness‑raising work developed within the Integrate Network – whether across education, practice or policy levels – can support forestry transitions by helping diverse countries learn from each other and apply practical, field‑tested approaches.
Many more women representatives in forest policy, science and practice are involved with and currently shape the work of the Integrate Network. Featuring their voices and perspectives aligns our network with global norms on gender equality and climate action. This helps turn principles into practice, support innovation, and shape the next generation of forest leaders.
May we continue to support women’s active participation and listen to their knowledge and contributions surrounding integrative forest management.
Graphic Design: Raghav Sharma