The aim of the study was to examine private forest management in the Bled forest district. It investigated how economic and sociodemographic factors, protected areas and tourism influence forest management, as well as the willingness to cooperate among forest owners. Most of the data for the analysis was obtained through a sample survey of private forest owners (n = 102). Information on forest work carried out from 2018 to 2022 was obtained from the public forestry service database. It was found that in the Bled forest region 50 % of private forest owners are active, but very few carry out silvicultural and protective activities or tree planting. Forest management activity is influenced by the age, education, and employment status of the owner. Education and employment status also influence the willingness to cooperation. However, the majority of owners are willing to cooperate. Tourism, protected areas and areas with emphasized ecological and social functions are barriers to forest management in some areas. The involvement of owners in tourism activities leads to less activity in forest management. The poor implementation of forest management plans in private forests and the good willingness of forest owners to cooperate show the need that a department for private forest owners cooperation needs to be established within one of the existing institutions, probably Slovenia Forest Service.
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