Connecting Forests, People and Heritage: The Danube Wood(s) Route Strategy

In the heart of Europe, along the Danube River, forests tell stories. They are stories of biodiversity, of craftsmanship passed down from father to son, of wooden churches and homes scented with fir and time. These forests, home to rare species and communities deeply connected to wood, are now at the center of a joint effort for rediscovery, conservation and sustainable use.

As part of the project, WWF-Romania, together with 16 partner organizations from 11 countries, has developed and launched the Danube Wood(s) Route Strategy – a common plan to keep alive the local art of woodworking, protect forests and manage them responsibly. All these values will be brought together in a cultural route that tells their story along the Danube.

👉 [Download the Danube Wood(s) Route Strategy]

The strategy proposes an innovative development model: protecting forests and their biodiversity, supporting the local economy through short supply chains and value-added products, showcasing wood culture and attracting visitors through authentic experiences that respect both nature and people. It is an initiative rooted in local traditions, yet aligned with key European policies – from the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy to national and local sustainable development goals.

The document outlines concrete actions: restoring forest habitats, supporting artisans, creating thematic and interpretive routes, developing museums and cultural centers dedicated to wood, promoting local products and training guides and tourism operators in sustainability principles. All of this is designed to rebuild the link between people and forests, between tangible and living heritage, between past and future.

More than a Tourist Trail

The envisioned Danube Wood(s) Cultural Route is more than a touristic product. It is designed as a living network of communities, institutions, and cultural actors who value and sustainably use local forest resources. From a woodcarver in Romania’s Maramureș region to a forestry school in Slovakia or a protected area in Serbia — all are envisioned as part of a common narrative that will be told in 12 languages and carry a unifying message: forests are identity, life, and future.

The launch of the Danube Wood(s) Route Strategy marks an important step in the long-term development of this transnational cultural initiative. The project will continue building partnerships and implementing actions that transform the way forest landscapes and their cultural values are perceived — not only as resources but as living heritage to be respected and preserved for future generations.