30 Apr Certified Forests for Well‑Being and Health
For years, forest certification has focused mainly on resource management: timber traceability, sustainable harvesting, and supply‑chain protection. It is a necessary approach, but no longer sufficient to meet the new social, environmental, and health needs linked to the role of forests.
The conference “Biodiversity Friend® Forest: Certified Forests for Well‑Being and Health” marks a shift in perspective: certifying forests not only for their ecosystem services, but also for the benefits they generate for well‑being and health. The event will be held online on Monday, 4 May 2026 at 4:00 p.m. and will offer an in‑depth discussion focused on Biodiversity — a key element in ensuring the quality, safety and functionality of natural environments intended for therapeutic use.
WBA, together with Associazione nazionale Terapie Forestali in Foreste Italiane (TeFFIt), established an agreement in 2025 aimed at defining criteria and standards for the certification of forests designed for well‑being and health.
This is how the new Biodiversity Friend® Forest – Therapy module was created: a voluntary certification that promotes the protection of biodiversity in the management of forests intended for therapeutic activities, well‑being experiences and nature immersion.
It is intended for forest owners and managers who wish to promote therapeutic activities in woodland areas while at the same time conserving forest heritage. The standard enhances nature‑based well‑being activities and reflects a commitment to preserving landscape, traditions and biodiversity.
For the healthcare sector, this means being able to rely on qualified natural environments, with defined and verifiable characteristics, which can be integrated into prevention and support pathways.
For local authorities and communities, this means recognising forests as infrastructures for well‑being, with positive impacts on management, planning and local development, without relying on resource‑exploitation approaches.
The conference will be moderated by Raoul Fiordiponti, President of TeFFIt‑OE. Speakers will include Gianfranco Caoduro, Honorary President of WBA; Luca Santini, President of Federparchi; Cinzia Andreini, member of the TeFFIt Scientific Committee; and Nicola Tormen, Technical Manager of Biodiversity Friend.
The event will be streamed live on Zoom and on TeFFIt’s YouTube channel.
Biodiversity Friend® Forest- Therapy module
Biodiversity Friend Forest Therapy enhances forests suitable for hosting tourism, recreational and wellness activities, fostering a deeper connection with the forest environment.
The conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions is assessed by assigning a score to each action of the Forestry Sustainability Decalogue:
Lo standard quindi valuta le performance di sostenibilità mediante una check‑list documentale e specifiche verifiche in campo, basate su indicatori biologici riconosciuti:
Soil QualityThe Soil Biodiversity Index (SBI‑bf) measures the presence and diversity of living organisms in the soil, which are considered excellent bioindicators.
Water Quality
The Freshwater Biodiversity Index (FBI‑bf) assesses the hydromorphology of watercourses, the complexity of aquatic organisms and their tolerance to environmental alterations.
The Lichen Biodiversity Index (LBI‑bf) measures the degree of complexity of epiphytic lichen communities, organisms that are highly sensitive to various atmospheric pollutants.