How Smarter Forest Management Can Help Fight Wildfires

At The Green Core, we believe that change starts with how we care for the world around us. Forests are not only vital ecosystems; they are also frontline defenders against the impacts of climate change. A European summer filled with wildfires makes one thing clear: effective forest management is no longer optional. It’s essential.

🌳 Biodiverse forests are stronger

A forest that blends broadleaf and conifer trees is naturally more resilient against wildfires. Unlike monocultures, these ecosystems create a balance that makes it harder for flames to spread and easier for nature to recover.

The summer of 2025 has been one of records, though not the kind we celebrate. Since the start of the year, wildfires in countries like Spain, Portugal, and France have burned almost 1 million hectares of land by August 19. That’s more than four times the average area usually affected by this time of year.

And the impact is enormous: these fires have released over 38 million tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere, equal to about a third of the Netherlands’ yearly emissions.

🔥 Fighting fire by reducing fuel
When it comes to wildfires, three ingredients matter: heat, oxygen, and fuel. Of those, only fuel like dry vegetation and wood is something humans can directly influence.

Take rural Spain, for example. Abandoned farmland has grown wild with highly flammable plants, increasing the risk of fast-spreading fires. That’s why researchers and policymakers are now exploring how these landscapes can become part of a biodiverse, circular economy with active forest management designed to reduce fire risks.

🌿 Diversity as a natural defense
Experts agree that biodiversity holds the key. Conifer plantations, often grown for timber, are especially fire-prone. By mixing conifers with broadleaf trees, fires have fewer chances to spread quickly.

But that doesn’t mean we should clear all conifers. Forest experts suggest creative solutions: for instance, allowing ivy to grow on pine trees reduces their flammability while also providing valuable habitat for insects. This way, the ecosystem remains rich, balanced, and safer from fire.

💡 Smarter landscapes, safer future
The lesson is simple: by managing biodiversity wisely, we can make forests more resilient to the rising threat of wildfires. Smarter landscapes don’t just protect nature, they also protect communities, livelihoods, and our shared future.

✨ Join us at The Green Core
The path forward is clear: every tree, every landscape, every choice matters. By working together, we can build stronger, more resilient ecosystems that withstand the challenges of tomorrow. At The Green Core, we’re committed to driving that change and we invite you to be part of it.