Water-related forest ecosystem services contribute significantly to the stability and resilience of forests and influence the provision of other ecosystem services. Proven water retention measures should be applied to privately and publicly owned forests, with the active involvement of forest owners, managers, and local authorities.
Since water knows no boundaries, there is a broad interest in water retention measures in forests that bring together various perspectives, such as those from water management, nature conservation, and forestry. This creates a need for regional coordination, particularly regarding governance structures, awareness-raising, and funding opportunities.
RegioBlau aims to promote the willingness to implement water retention measures in public and private forests. The focus is on municipalities and regional stakeholders in two pilot regions that are integrated into a transdisciplinary research process. Through networking, adapted governance structures, and targeted knowledge transfer, communication, awareness-raising, and the engagement of decision-makers are improved. In addition, the project increases public visibility of the issue and develops transferable solutions for regional stakeholders and municipalities, as well as recommendations for action for policymakers and the scientific community.
The IfLS is implementing the dialogue processes in collaboration with a project partner specializing in communication and mediation, within two real-world laboratories. The implementation of each real-world laboratory is supported by a regional project group that includes not only forestry offices but also other stakeholders from the fields of forestry, local government, nature conservation, water management, and others.
The project "Water Retention in Municipal and Private Forests: Regional Governance and Awareness-Raising (RegioBlau)” is funded under the Sustainable Renewable Resources program by the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) with funds from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Home Affairs (BMLEH) based on a resolution of the German Bundestag (Duration: 10/2025 – 09/2028).
