Restoring Austria’s Forests from the past till today: Insights from National Experts
Report for the Austrian narrative on forest restoration
PC: Österreichische Waldinventur (Austrian Forest Inventory)
Austria’s forests have been central to national identity, rural livelihoods, and ecological stability for centuries. Historical afforestation campaigns and state-led protection laid the groundwork for today’s expansive forest cover as shown in the figure-1 below, which now provides not only timber but also critical services such as hazard protection, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration.
The narrative highlights Austria’s proactive policies, including the €350 million Forest Fund, which support afforestation, forest conversion, and ecosystem services, while addressing climate resilience. 
Significant progress has been made in expanding forest cover and integrating restoration into national strategies, with nearly one-third of Austria’s forested area now under protection. Yet, the country faces persistent challenges. Bark beetle infestations, climate stress, fragmented ownership, and competing demands for timber, tourism, and conservation complicate management. Monitoring and planning tools are improving, but long-term coordination and sustainable financing remain essential to bridge the gap between policy ambition and on-the-ground implementation.
Austria’s experience illustrates the complex trade-offs of modern forest governance. Passive rewilding, active afforestation, and semi-natural management are employed side by side, reflecting a pragmatic approach to restoration. The country demonstrates how restoration can contribute simultaneously to biodiversity, climate mitigation, and hazard prevention, while maintaining the cultural and economic value of forests. Austria thus stands as a valuable case study for Europe, offering lessons in resilience, stakeholder engagement, and balancing multiple societal expectations within limited forest resources.
KEY FINDINGS
Key finding 1: Forest Expansion and Protection: Austria has nearly doubled its forest cover since the 19th century, with around one-third of forests now under protection.
Key finding 2: Persistent Challenges: Climate stress, bark beetle outbreaks, and fragmented ownership threaten restoration progress, highlighting the need for coordinated management.
Key finding 3: Policy Innovation: Instruments like the Forest Fund and ecosystem service payments illustrate how financial and policy tools can drive large-scale restoration while balancing economic and ecological goals.
- Active Restoration
- Implementation
- Planning & Upscaling
- Landowners & Practitioners
- Planners & Implementers
- Policy Actors
- Climate change mitigation