On 7 and 8 March 2025, the Gregor's Fair at the Hippodrome Šentjernej will be the venue for an important event for the Slovenian forestry sector. It will not only test the skills of Slovenian foresters, but will also serve as a preparation for the World Forestry Championships. Slovenia will host this prestigious event for the first time next year. This will give all participants and spectators the opportunity to experience first-hand the glamour and rigour of this competition.
The National Forestry Competition plays an additional important role this year as it will serve as a preparation for the forthcoming World Championships. Next year, Slovenia will host this international event for the first time, which is both a great honour and a challenge for local foresters. For the fourth time in a row, the organisation of the 15th National Forestry Competition has been taken over by the Slovenian State Forests (SiDG) company, which is working hard to improve the competition programme and ensure that Slovenian competitors are as prepared as possible for the global competition. Such competitions serve as an ideal opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience, which further strengthens the local forestry professional staff.
The competition will start with the opening ceremony on 7 March at 8.45. In addition to the competitive spirit, the event will also be filled with an address by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Mateja Čalušić, who will give an extra boost to the participants and visitors with her speech. This will kick off a series of events that will guide the competitors through different simulations of working in the forest. These competitions provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate the skills and concentration that are key to working with natural resources such as forests.
A total of 51 competitors will take part in the competition, divided into eight teams of three members each, in addition to nine individual competitors. Two teams of students from the Secondary School of Forestry, Woodworking and Healthcare in Postojna and the Secondary School of Woodworking and Forestry will also stand out among the teams, proving that Slovenian forestry is dedicated to both the experienced generation and to young people who are just starting their journey in this sector.
By involving these young entrants in the competition, Slovenian State Forests supports the continuous development and transfer of knowledge to younger generations, which is key to maintaining the quality of Slovenian forestry. The competition is therefore not only an opportunity for fun and competition, but also an important learning moment that encourages future generations to manage forests responsibly.
The event is thus crucial for the promotion of Slovenian forestry and as a platform to prepare domestic participants for international competitions. As Slovenia strives to establish a strong presence on the global forestry stage, such competitions are an indispensable tool to increase the knowledge and visibility of local professionals. We wish all participants the best of luck and a successful competition!
