Network to innovate: New Innovative Technologies in Forestry
We are pleased to invite you to an inspiring online workshop, “New Innovative Technologies in Forestry”, which will take place on September 08, 2026. It is jointly organized by the Rural Networks of Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Poland.
This time, you will have the opportunity to discover how new technologies are transforming the way we understand, manage, and protect our forests. Examples from the Nordic-Baltic region will showcase how innovation, digital solutions, and smart technologies are opening new possibilities for more sustainable, efficient, and resilient forestry — while supporting the people who work in the sector.
"Forests are entering a new era of innovation."
Join us for the next Network to Innovate event, where we will explore how new technologies are shaping the future of forestry. From practical innovations to emerging digital solutions, examples from across the Nordic-Baltic region will show how technology can open new possibilities for more productive, sustainable, and resilient forestry.
The event will bring together experts, researchers, advisors, and practitioners to share experiences and discover how innovation is already changing the way forests are monitored, managed, and developed.
• Discover practical technologies and innovations
• Learn from research and practical experience
• Exchange ideas on the future of forestry
The event will feature four presentations showcasing practical innovations, research results, and real-life applications from different Nordic-Baltic countries.
Discussion, Networking & Collaboration
After the presentations, the conversation continues with an interactive discussion, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions, exchange views, and engage directly with the speakers.
To support networking and idea exchange, we will use a collaborative Padlet board where participants can share inspiring ideas, highlight expertise, express interest in cooperation, and connect with others.
Simply add the title of your idea or area of expertise, include a short description, and leave your contact details to continue the conversation after the event.
Meet the speakers
- LATVIA
Precision Forestry Management. How can technology help us manage forests more precisely and make better decisions? Andrejs Zujevs from Riga Technical University will introduce practical developments in precision forestry, highlighting several EIP Operational Group projects where new technological solutions are being tested and applied. The presentation will explore how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), software applications, and digital tools can support forest monitoring, data collection, and more informed forest management.
- FINLAND
An exoskeleton for supporting lower limb in brush cutting. Kimmo Vänni from Häme University of Applied Sciences will introduce the development of a lower-limb support exoskeleton designed to reduce physical strain and improve productivity in forestry maintenance tasks such as brush cutting and tree planting. Developed in collaboration with vocational education providers, forestry experts, entrepreneurs, and international research partners, the prototype aims to make manual forestry work lighter, more efficient, and more attractive to a wider range of workers. The project demonstrates how innovative wearable technologies can support the future of sustainable forestry by improving working conditions and creating new opportunities in the sector.
- POLAND
Selected Remote Sensing Methods Used in Polish Forestry.
Ewa Kurowska and Bernard Okoński from the Poznań University of Life Sciences will present practical applications of modern remote sensing technologies in Polish forestry. The presentation will showcase how digital measurement, photo-optical and LiDAR sensors, airborne laser scanning (ALS), and GIS systems can support more accurate and efficient forest management. The speakers will share examples of digital measurement of roundwood stacks, a technique that has recently become a standard in Polish State Forests, as well as the use of ALS data to monitor forest conditions, assess the effects of management activities, identify threats and losses caused by natural disasters, and support planning. The presentation will highlight how remote sensing can provide valuable data for sustainable forest management, resource assessment, fire-risk mapping, infrastructure planning, and monitoring changes in forest ecosystems.
- THE PARTNERSHIP
New Opportunities within the "European Partnership for Forests, Forestry and the forest-based sector: Research and innovation for a Sustainable Transition (FOREST)”.
Mika Kallio from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland will introduce the European Forest Partnership and highlight new opportunities for international cooperation, research, and innovation in the forest sector. The presentation will explore how researchers, advisors, practitioners, policymakers, and innovators can engage with future partnership activities, build international connections, and contribute to the development of new solutions for sustainable forestry. It will also provide an insight into how European cooperation can help turn research and innovation into practical opportunities for the future of forests and forestry.
| Workshop Coordinator Tuija KallioNetwork Coordinator on AKIS and Innovation at the Rural Network of Finland E-mail: t[email protected] |
This time, you will have the opportunity to discover how new technologies are transforming the way we understand, manage, and protect our forests. Examples from the Nordic-Baltic region will showcase how innovation, digital solutions, and smart technologies are opening new possibilities for more sustainable, efficient, and resilient forestry — while supporting the people who work in the sector.
"Forests are entering a new era of innovation."
Join us for the next Network to Innovate event, where we will explore how new technologies are shaping the future of forestry. From practical innovations to emerging digital solutions, examples from across the Nordic-Baltic region will show how technology can open new possibilities for more productive, sustainable, and resilient forestry.
The event will bring together experts, researchers, advisors, and practitioners to share experiences and discover how innovation is already changing the way forests are monitored, managed, and developed.
• Discover practical technologies and innovations
• Learn from research and practical experience
• Exchange ideas on the future of forestry
The event will feature four presentations showcasing practical innovations, research results, and real-life applications from different Nordic-Baltic countries.
Discussion, Networking & Collaboration
After the presentations, the conversation continues with an interactive discussion, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions, exchange views, and engage directly with the speakers.
To support networking and idea exchange, we will use a collaborative Padlet board where participants can share inspiring ideas, highlight expertise, express interest in cooperation, and connect with others.
Simply add the title of your idea or area of expertise, include a short description, and leave your contact details to continue the conversation after the event.
Meet the speakers
- LATVIA
Precision Forestry Management. How can technology help us manage forests more precisely and make better decisions? Andrejs Zujevs from Riga Technical University will introduce practical developments in precision forestry, highlighting several EIP Operational Group projects where new technological solutions are being tested and applied. The presentation will explore how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), software applications, and digital tools can support forest monitoring, data collection, and more informed forest management.
- FINLAND
An exoskeleton for supporting lower limb in brush cutting. Kimmo Vänni from Häme University of Applied Sciences will introduce the development of a lower-limb support exoskeleton designed to reduce physical strain and improve productivity in forestry maintenance tasks such as brush cutting and tree planting. Developed in collaboration with vocational education providers, forestry experts, entrepreneurs, and international research partners, the prototype aims to make manual forestry work lighter, more efficient, and more attractive to a wider range of workers. The project demonstrates how innovative wearable technologies can support the future of sustainable forestry by improving working conditions and creating new opportunities in the sector.
- POLAND
Selected Remote Sensing Methods Used in Polish Forestry.
Ewa Kurowska and Bernard Okoński from the Poznań University of Life Sciences will present practical applications of modern remote sensing technologies in Polish forestry. The presentation will showcase how digital measurement, photo-optical and LiDAR sensors, airborne laser scanning (ALS), and GIS systems can support more accurate and efficient forest management. The speakers will share examples of digital measurement of roundwood stacks, a technique that has recently become a standard in Polish State Forests, as well as the use of ALS data to monitor forest conditions, assess the effects of management activities, identify threats and losses caused by natural disasters, and support planning. The presentation will highlight how remote sensing can provide valuable data for sustainable forest management, resource assessment, fire-risk mapping, infrastructure planning, and monitoring changes in forest ecosystems.
- THE PARTNERSHIP
New Opportunities within the "European Partnership for Forests, Forestry and the forest-based sector: Research and innovation for a Sustainable Transition (FOREST)”.
Mika Kallio from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland will introduce the European Forest Partnership and highlight new opportunities for international cooperation, research, and innovation in the forest sector. The presentation will explore how researchers, advisors, practitioners, policymakers, and innovators can engage with future partnership activities, build international connections, and contribute to the development of new solutions for sustainable forestry. It will also provide an insight into how European cooperation can help turn research and innovation into practical opportunities for the future of forests and forestry.
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| Workshop Coordinator Tuija KallioNetwork Coordinator on AKIS and Innovation at the Rural Network of Finland E-mail: t[email protected] |
