FOAL - Forest Owners Association of Lithuania

In April 1993 the Forest Owners Association of Lithuania (FOAL) was founded first time in the history of the country with the initiative to represent the interest of forest owners and to develop the institutional framework for the family forestry and subsequently became registered as a public organization (on 8 June, 1993). The FOAL is the national interest organization for the forest owners in Lithuania and has status of independent public NGO. 

FOAL is taking the steps to enhance the education and extension services for private forest owners in Lithuania. It is the founder of public institution “Private Forest Extension Centre” (further PFEC) which is organizing courses for forest owners throughout the country since 2000.

The main purposes and activities of the Association are: to represent forest owners interests in the Government and other institutions, to have influence upon legal acts, to consults forest owners and to organize courses for them, to support co-operation among forest owners and co-operate with representative organizations of landowners in foreign countries.

The Association is actively enlarging and has established a country – wide network of organizational structures (38 local branches and 24 co-operatives of private forest owners, uniting over 3000 members). 

FOAL is working in close co-operation with forest owners in all matters related to forests – from planting to harvesting. FOAL offer training and guidance and provide professional assistance in forestry issues thus protecting forest owners' interests and helping to achieve set objectives. FOAL cooperatives take care of planning and implementation of forestry measures in private forests. They also provide consulting services in wood sales planning and wood sales transactions.

Much emphasis is placed on the profitability of forestry as it has a direct impact on the welfare of rural areas.

Forest owners can also grant their cooperatives the power of attorney concerning wood sales and deliveries. This has proved to be a valuable service to those forest owners who themselves do not have the time or opportunity to actively participate in the management of their forests or timber sales. The demand for power of attorney services has grown steadily with the urbanisation of the forest owners. Currently about 20% of timber sales from private forests are based on attorney sales.