AUSF Nuoro: who we are
The University Forestry Students Association of Nuoro (AUSF Nuoro), born in 1996, aims to promote the aggregation of forestry students to further study, scientific dissemination, create synergy between students, graduates, local authorities and other associations, thus expanding the possibilities offered from the University to acquire knowledge and experiences.
Our association, with dedication and strong motivation, works locally and in the national territory to raise awareness and deepen the issues relating to sustainable forest management, promoting activities of scientific and operative interest.
The activity of AUSF Nuoro includes the organization of excursions, courses, seminars / webinars and workshops, networking with teachers, academic and research institutions, public bodies and private companies.
IFSA, the international association
AUSF Nuoro is a member of IFSA: the International Forestry Students’ Association is one of the largest international networks of students in forestry and related sciences. IFSA is a globally organized and locally operating students’ organisation connecting forest and related science students to their peers and forest related organisations and policy platforms.
With more than 130 local associations, also known as local committees (LC), spread across over 50 countries, IFSA links thousands of students in their efforts to learn about forests, associated traditions, cultures and the environment. IFSA is a non-political, non-profit and non-religious organisation that is entirely run by students.
In IFSA we seek to create global cooperation among students of forest and related sciences, to broaden knowledge and understanding and a space for youth in international forest processes to achieve a sustainable future for our forests. Through our network, we facilitate student meetings, enable participation in scientific debates, and support the involvement of youth in decision making processes regionally and globally.
The event SERM
SERM (Southern European Regional Meeting), is the annual meeting of the local committees belonging to IFSA in CENTRAL and SOUTHERN Europe. The meeting takes place every year in a different country. The local organizing office will have to physically host the event by coordinating all aspects related to it, including economic and logistical management.
Themes of environmental and forestry interest are explored through conferences, educational activities, excursions and workshops aimed at expanding the knowledge and skills of forestry students.
Why agroforestry?
One of the main reasons that prompted us to organize SERM 2022 in Nuoro was the celebration of the 25 years of our Association and the 6th European Agroforestry Conference (EURAF2022) to be held in Nuoro in May 2022, in conjunction with the Meeting. The coincidence of the two events has also inspired the choice of the theme "Agroforestry" which binds well with the Mediterranean agro-silvopastoral context typical of Sardinia.
We are aware that we are in a historical moment of profound changes in our sector and therefore we want to better understand our origins, analyze the present and prepare for the challenges of the future.
Climate change is certainly and will be among the main factors that will determine tangible effects on the forestry sector and consequently on our professional future, therefore they will constitute one of the main topics that will bind our activities during the Meeting.
During the event, various themes will be addressed, which we have decided to divide into two main areas: past and present
Past
- the history of the forests in Sardinia and, specifically, of the agro-silvopastoral activities and the cork supply chain, represent a first focus, to understand the origin of these activities and how new needs have arisen over the decades;
- the traditional uses of the forest, analyzing the different products obtained from a forest, with companies and technologies different from those of today.
Present
- The agro-silvo-pastoral system today, the future for Sardinian rural economy;
- Forest fire prevention and management of protected areas,
- Forest certification: advantages and problems;
- University and professional training courses in the forestry field;
- Communication in the forest sector.
How to promote and support agroforestry in the future?
The debate will be enriched by the contribution of the delegates of the various southern European IFSA committees with the aim of developing new ideas and future planning on the management of our forests and environment, in a context of sustainable development and adaptation to climate change.
Farming systems research: which relationships with agroforestry?
The most widespread agroforestry systems in the Mediterranean Basin are characterized by the combination of grazing livestock, grasslands and Quercus spp. trees. These agro-silvopastoral systems occupy 7 million hectares in the Iberian Peninsula and are named as “Dehesa” in Spain and “Montado” in Portugal. In Greece, the Phrygana comprises short, often spiny, shrubs managed by grazing and occasional fires. Grazed oak woodlands are also widespread in Sardinia (Italy) and they have an important socio-economic role providing rural employment and a range of ecosystem services. From an ecological point of view, the appropriate management of grazing, in line with forage availability and quality, is also important for the conservation of high biodiversity features. During the SERM event the relationships between forestry management and agrosilvopastoral systems functioning will be discussed among participants.
We hope that the information on our association will make you curious to know more about us, our activities and those performed in other countries.
Glad to meet you and discuss about agroforestry!
Search for our logo we’ll be glad to meet you next May at EURAF2022 in Nuoro and make you know our beautiful Sardinian agroforesty landscapes!