The natural forests of Uruguay are currently used almost exclusively for firewood and non-timber products. Forest management for timber production hardly takes place largely due to a lack of experience in the management of natural forests. The Government of Uruguay recently called for the development of a national forest strategy, which includes improved management and valorization of natural forests. The aim of this project is to identify and prioritize the strategic options for natural forest protection and sustainable use, including forest rehabilitation. UNIQUE, in consortium with the German forest service (Deutsche Forst Service) and Hessen-Forst, was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) to design a strategy for the implementation of sustainable and multifunctional management of natural forests in Uruguay.

• Using the data national forest inventory data, develop the natural forest strategy.
• Increase seed availability of natural forests tree species.
• Establishment of sustainable forest management concepts.
• Draft national rehabilitation strategy for natural forests.
• Integration of forest management concepts in education programs.