LIFE24-NAT-CZ

Life Model Forest

Project ID: 101216157 · LIFE24-NAT-CZ

Model care for diverse forest habitats and the species linked to them, in cooperation with forest owners, site managers, regions, municipalities and volunteers.

Duration01/06/2025 – 31/05/2032
Sites20 Natura 2000 sites (SCI/SAC)
Habitats11 (3 priority)
Species12 (3 priority)
Budget / EU€8,693,054 / €5,215,833
Map of Natura 2000 project sites
Natura 2000 project sites

About the project

Improving the conservation status of priority forest habitats and species across targeted Natura 2000 sites, while engaging owners, managers, regions, municipalities and volunteers.

Main challenges addressed:
  • Low species and age diversity
  • Shortage of veteran trees and deadwood
  • Spread of invasive alien species (IAS)
  • Low awareness among stakeholders and the public

Scale: 19 km² of habitat areas (approximately one-third priority) plus 36 km² of species-focused management.

📺 Featured on Czech Television

Project in the media

The project and its volunteer activities were featured by Czech Television in Události v regionech – Ostrava. The report presents practical volunteer activities connected with the care of protected sites.

▶ Watch the report on Czech Television
📰 Updates from ČSOP ONYX

Project News & Stories

Explore news about LIFE Model Forest, conservation work, environmental education, partner activities and related stories. Articles are published in Czech by ČSOP ONYX.

📚 Browse all news articles

Article numbers follow the supplied list, newest first. Some items are related environmental stories rather than direct LIFE Model Forest project reports. Source: ČSOP ONYX.

Actions & Work Packages

C1 · Habitat restoration
Site-specific restoration for target habitats; improve age structure, retain veteran trees and deadwood, and enhance structural diversity.
C2 · Invasive alien species & four-language methodology
Coordinated IAS removal, including Echinocystis lobata, with publicly available methodology in four languages.
D1 · Monitoring & indicators
Before/after monitoring of habitats and species across 20 sites, with indicators and accessible result summaries.
E1 · Stakeholder & volunteer engagement
Cooperation with landowners, site managers, regions and municipalities, including training and volunteer field days.
E2 · Communication, replication & After-LIFE
Sharing practical project outputs in Czechia, Poland and beyond, with plans for continuity after project completion.

Target Habitats & Species

Habitats: 91D0*, 91E0*, 9180, 9110, 9130, 9170, 9190, 91F0, 91T0, 91U0, 7140.

Species: Osmoderma eremita, Callimorpha quadripunctaria, Gentianella bohemica, Limoniscus violaceus, Lucanus cervus, Cucujus cinnaberinus, Rhyzodes sulcatus, Carabus variolosus, Bombina variegata, Bombina bombina, Triturus cristatus, Dicranum viride.

Ambassadors of Natura 2000 Sites

Educational institutions and community organisations supporting nature conservation awareness, education and engagement around Natura 2000 sites.

Volunteer with us

Help with habitat restoration, invasive alien species control and monitoring during field days (spring–autumn). Training and safety briefings are provided.

🤝 Become a volunteer