Forestry is a mission in life
Our photo of the month is “Bear in the Snowstorm in Liptov” by František Bohunčák, a runner-up in our 2022 Photo Contest.
Forestry is a mission in life
10 November 2023 Forests in photos
This November, our photo in the spotlight is “Bear in the Snowstorm in Liptov”. František Bohunčák, a runner-up in our 2022 Photo Contest, took the stunning photo in the Low Tatras mountain range in Slovakia. In our interview, he told us what the forest means to him, and how he helps safeguarding forests for future generations.
How do you feel about forests, both professionally and personally?
I perceive the forest as an environment which, to understand it from a professional point of view, needs to be studied for an entire lifetime. Forestry is a mission in life, and one has to take a sensitive and differentiated approach to its management as a result of the changing climate and other changes increasingly visible in the forest ecosystems.
Part of my work as a teacher of forestry-related subjects in Liptovský Hrádek, Slovakia, is guiding the next generation of foresters. I try to make them see the forest as an asset that we must preserve for future generations.
The forest is also a place of relaxation, and requires active care so that people can find everything they need to relax. Therefore, I consider it very important to preserve its biodiversity as much as possible.
How did the forest inspire you to take your winning photo?
I spend almost all my free time in the forest, I try to capture moments in my photos that help me relive unforgettable experiences. Nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and with a bit of luck, as I had when I took my photo, it can reward patience in the most beautiful way.
What do you think about the work that an organization such as PEFC does to care for forests?
I consider the work of PEFC a great contribution to society. The certified forests and the high-quality products from these forests are the result of the collaboration of a large number of organisations and the use of a lot of scientific knowledge for the benefit of the forest. The PEFC label is essentially a guarantee that these forests are managed sustainably.