Aug 28, 2026
Experience Multifunctional Forest Management: SC94 Field Trip to the Dresdner Heide
Heiko Müller (Sachsenforst, Dresden Forest District) explains nature-based management and multifunctional use in the forest Dresdner Heide.
On August 27, 2026, the group participating in the 94th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUKN International Short Course (SC94) took a field trip to the Dresdner Heide. Led by Heiko Müller, head of the state forestry operation in the Dresden forest district at Sachsenforst, participants gained insights into the multifunctional management of a forest near the city and discussed opportunities, challenges, and conflicting goals related to forest restoration on site.
The four-week course , “Restoring the Green: Sustainable Principles and Practices in Forest Restoration,” strengthens the abilities of specialists and leaders to analyze forest degradation, jointly develop context-sensitive restoration strategies, and support long-term ecosystem recovery processes. To this end, SC94 combines ecological fundamentals with practical methods, governance and policy perspectives, and the involvement of societal stakeholders.
Mr. Müller explains the replanting of silver firs in the Dresdner Heide forest.
The field trip complemented the course program as a hands-on learning experience: Topics such as site analysis, forest conversion, resilience, and the balance between biodiversity conservation, timber harvesting, recreation, and economic interests were discussed using concrete examples. The Dresdner Heide is a particularly illustrative learning site for this purpose: As a large forest directly adjacent to Dresden, it fulfills ecological, economic, social, and cultural functions simultaneously.
During the hike, Heiko Müller from the Dresden Forest District of the state-owned enterprise Sachsenforst explained how Sachsenforst is responding to the effects of drought and bark beetle damage and is redeveloping damaged areas with a view toward creating more stable mixed forests. At a Habitats Directive (FFH) site, participants were able to view new plantings; two deer provided an unexpected encounter with the local wildlife. Particularly impressive was the discussion about the silver fir and its specific needs: under suitable conditions, it can capitalize on existing growth opportunities very quickly.
The long history of forest management in the Dresdner Heide also became apparent. The group discussed nature-oriented approaches to timber harvesting, the importance of hunting for the development of diverse forests, and changes in forest management over more than 500 years. Another stop took the group past the forest kindergarten, highlighting the educational and recreational role the forest plays for urban society.
Special attention was given to current conflicts over land use. These include illegally created mountain bike trails, which can lead to erosion damage, as well as the infrastructural and economic development dynamics surrounding Silicon Saxony. The Dresdner Heide thus illustrates how many functions must be safeguarded simultaneously and balanced against one another in an urban forest.
The participants took the opportunity to engage in a lively exchange and shared experiences from their home countries. For example, they reported on access restrictions and protection regulations enforced by rangers, as well as zoning models in which certain forest areas are designated for tourism while others are fully protected. Questions about trees with edible fruits, non-timber forestproducts (NTFPs), and the forestry district trainees’ bee project highlighted just how closely forest management is linked to local livelihoods and societal needs.
Exchange of experiences.
The international perspectives were particularly fascinating: Participants from Namibia, for example, reported that forestry authorities there relocate wild, potentially dangerous swarms of bees from farms and care for them in the forest. Such examples showed that while the specific tasks of forest administrations differ, they are united by the commitment to responsible and long-term forest stewardship.
Mr. Müller shared his expertise as a point of contact for the Dresden forest district with great openness and palpable enthusiasm for his profession. In closing, he encouraged the group to advocate, within their respective contexts, for the protection of forests as the “green lungs” and “green heart” of our planet. He emphasized that the exchange had also enriched him personally.
The field trip made it clear: Successful forest restoration requires not only ecological expertise but also an open dialogue about differing land-use demands, local framework conditions, and shared responsibility.
The SC94 participants and Heiko Müller (Sachsenforst State Forestry Enterprise) in the Dresdner Heide.