The students from Institut Technique Horticole de Gembloux were hosted by the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University (FFWT MENDELU) and the University Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny (UFE) as part of the Erasmus+ short-term mobility. The programme, based on the combination of theory and practice in the forests of MENDELU, provided the Belgian students with valuable professional knowledge with an overlap of European cooperation.
Students had a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in sustainable forest management. “We aim to equip students with practical skills to complement their theoretical knowledge. By immersing themselves in real forestry operations, they will gain direct experience in sustainable forest management,” said Lumír Dobrovolný from UFE Křtiny.
The trainees were involved in various activities, including ecological research, biodiversity conservation, dendrological studies, and innovative forestry techniques. The internship also included forest monitoring and tree species identification. Thanks to their broad professional focus, the students gained core competencies for their future careers. In addition, they attended lectures in English on Silviculture and experienced student life at the university.
The program also included a dendrochronology workshop where students used increment drills to collect samples for tree growth analysis. This gave them insights into the dynamics of forest development over time. They also contributed to research at an experimental site affected by the June 2024 windfall, where assessment of carbon sequestration, monitoring soil moisture and biological activity under different management approaches is conducted: intact fallen trees, partial removal with branch retention, and complete clearing of the area.
As part of the International Day of Forests celebration, students visited the experimental area in the Řícmanice Arboretum on 21 March. Statistical data from this plot will contribute to the evaluation of tree resilience. “Celebrating the International Day of Forests by actively engaging in forestry research added value to it,” said Pavel Horák from the Department of Sylviculture.
“As such, the internships underline the commitment of FFWT and UFE to provide high quality education and practical training to future forestry professionals not only from Mendel University, but also from other educational institutions both in the Czech Republic and abroad, so that they are well prepared to participate in sustainable environmental management,” said Dobrovolný.
The cultural dimension of the Belgian students’ stay in the Czech Republic was fulfilled by sharing knowledge with Czech peers and cooperating with local forestry experts.
The European Union co-finances Erasmus+
Contact for more information: Ing. Pavel Horák, FFWT MENDELU, +420 545 134 130, pavel.horak@mendelu.cz
