WHO WE ARE

The Forest Management Institute (FMI), in Czech “ÚHÚL”, is a government organization established by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic.

SUBJECT OF ACTIVITY

	. Forest inventory in the Czech Republic (FI) Forest inventory is the independent survey of forest lands and their development. By means of the forest inventory information collected, the organization's focus is especially on growing stock and the forest's functionality as an important renewable natural resource and crucial part of the environment. The most modern terrain equipment is used for the data collection.
	. The compilation and administration of Regional Plans of Forest Development (RPFD) data including the execution of uniform forest typologic system in the Czech Republic Regional Plans of Forest Development (RPFD) are the defining principles of forest management according to the natural forest areas in the Czech Republic. They stem from the concept of sustainable forest management and hope to minimize conflict between societal interests and those of particular forest owners. These principles serve as information resources for executing forest management plans, forest management outlines, as well as the support for government administration decision making.
	. Information and Data Centre (IDC) for forest and game management sector of the Czech Republic The Information and Data Centre executes the administration of the central database and archives on forests and game management in the Czech Republic which includes monitoring data and other related information. The most important function is the regular administration and entry of forest and forest management data collected in the Czech Republic and the accessibility of this data to the bodies of forest administration in the government and to the interested public.
	. Providing information services within forest certification of the Czech Republic Forest certification is the process of an independent organization issuing a certificate confirming that forest management fulfills the predefined criteria of sustainable forest management. The National Certification Centre is a department of the FMI. The National Certification Centre provides information service and support for the implementation of forest certification in the Czech Republic. In addition to the above mentioned activities, every year the FMI contributes to the "Forest and Forest Management Report of the Czech Republic", elaboration of other analysis, methodologies, layouts and prognosis. The FMI is also involved in domestic and international research projects as well as working in the area of consultation, methodological and edification activities.

To execute the above mentioned activities, FMI entrusts only experienced experts and top technical
equipment. Commensurate with its primary role in forest management, FMI is a notable participant in the
technological development of the field and is also active in the generation and evolution of forest policies
and support.

FMI HISTORY

Forest management in what is now the Czech Republic began approximately 260 years ago. Since the latter half of the 18th century, various methods were developed by offices of individual large forest owners. The establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918 brought about further developments as a result of the new government's interest in elucidating guidelines for a united forest methodology and policy.
The Ministry of Agriculture established The Forest Mensurational Office in Brandýs nad Labem in 1935 as a substitute for the abandoned offices of the Regional State Forests and Farms Directories. Out of the centralization of these offices into an independent institution, the current Forest Management Institute was established. Under the influence of political and historical changes for over 60 years, the organization changed its name and vocation several times, yet, its central position within the field of forest management and its basic internal structure remained the same.
From 1918 until the period of the Second World War, FMI elaborated forest management plans, executed real estates evaluation and land measuring and cartographic activities for the needs of State forests and farms. Their area of influence changed continuously as a result of the emergence of the first Czechoslovak land reform, which in itself was due to the conquest of frontier areas by Germany after Munich in 1938 and after the Czech and Moravia protectorate in 1939.
Forest site mapping commenced in 1941. The mapped forest sites were characterised by forest community. Based on this evaluation the sites then had target species composition defined for them. Thus the background for forest typology was established. Geodetic service was established in 1942. A government act in 1944 (including application-of-law instruction) was created entirely by Czech foresters without any occupant interference. This act introduced a new biologic conception of forest management which included ecological elements.
In post-war years, working-plan officers served as special executives in forest establishment. Forest management plans were renewed within the organization in 1947. In 1956, a second cycle of regeneration started for the FMP. The systematic usage of computers was initiated during the third cycle FMP regeneration in 1971. Thus began the establishment of the information database.
By the ordinance of MLVHSR no:13/1978 Coll. the institute was entrusted with creating a summary of forest management plans (SFMP) in five-year cycles. At the end of the 1980s, the institute made the transition to operational usage of geographic information systems (GIS). The employees of the institute also started to develop a true Czech GIS - Topo Land mensurational programme - TAX.
This programme, in conjunction with additional programmes, highlighted the need for the creation of a country-wide data management tool. After 1989 and the resulting change in property relations, the institute has been involved in the restitution process of forest properties. In 1997, these duties were transferred to the capable hands of private entities employing former institute experts.
Nowadays the institute is specifically charged with executing forest inventory in the Czech Republic, elaboration and administration of regional plans of forest development. These include the administration of united typological systems of the Czech Republic and administration of information and data centres of the forest management and hunting sectors.
Other significant foreign activities of FMI started in 1958 (e.g. Mongolia). Since 1958, FMI has co-operated in many significant international projects (specialised mostly to forest inventory and rational forest management) in countries such as: Tanzania, Yemen, Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Laos, Cambodia, Angola, Guinea, Mozambique, Nigeria, and others. Currently, projects are ongoing in Kamchatka, Morocco and Canada (Ecological Site Mapping of the UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest).