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Technical Roundtable in Biobío Drives Modernization of Forest Management in Chile

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With the aim of improving efficiency in forest management and streamlining the processing of management plans and work notices, representatives from the Chilean Wood Corporation (Corma), the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), and the College of Forestry Engineers met in the Biobío Region, a key area for the sector's development.

The meeting, held as part of the Regulatory and Standards Committee, allowed progress on a shared agenda focused on standardizing technical and administrative criteria. Key topics included the need to modernize processes at regional and provincial levels, establish a shared technical framework, and define clear guidelines for prioritizing plans in emergency contexts. Relevant aspects such as mapping, soil assessment, water resource management, and road maintenance were also discussed.

Ignacio Espina, Head of Regional Oversight at Conaf Biobío, praised the initiative as a key mechanism to improve coordination: "There are currently logistical challenges hindering progress in these processes. This roundtable seeks to optimize that coordination, which is essential for responding more promptly, especially in critical contexts like wildfires or climate contingencies."

Meanwhile, César Farías, Corma representative and Head of Forest Legislation at CMPC, highlighted the importance of this collaborative space: "We are making progress in defining minimum criteria for management plans, which benefits both large companies and small forest owners. This joint working table with Conaf is a major step toward clearer and more operational regulation."

From the College of Forestry Engineers, its regional director Mariela Barudy emphasized the guild's role in engaging with other sector stakeholders: "This roundtable is an opportunity to strengthen ties with industry professionals. We aim to share the agreements reached and develop concrete technical solutions at the territorial level."

The collaborative work between Corma, Conaf, and the College of Forestry Engineers reinforces institutional commitment to modern, sustainable forest management aligned with the country's current challenges, such as ecological restoration, climate change adaptation, and biodiversity conservation.